Chapter 47
Meanwhile, in the hospital.
Kathryn lay on the hospital bed, her mind plunging back into a nightmare.
As the darling princess of the Henderson family, Kathryn always got whatever she desired. She was aware that the Henderson family wasn’t top–tier aristocracy, but that didn’t stop her from being envied by the common folk.
Initially, she noticed Catherine simply because they shared a name.
When she overheard classmates calling someone else with a familiar name, Kathryn felt unpleasant.
A nobody, yet carrying a name identical to hers was distasteful to her.
To maintain her image among her peers, she didn’t show her discontent. Instead, she publicly claimed it was a curious twist of fate, subtly hinting that the shared name caused confusion and was a bit of an annoyance to her.
The Quentin family had business ties to the Henderson family. Being a long–time admirer of Kathryn since their childhood, Hans Quentin was always eager to play the loyal sidekick. Hence, he didn’t hesitate to seize the moment to alleviate her problems. He began to bully Catherine in public.
Hans blocked Catherine’s way to school, deliberately spilled her lunch, and tossed her desk and books into the dumpster.
Each time Catherine was humiliated, Hans would mock her without hesitation.
Kathryn would chide bim hypocritically, “Don’t bully our classmates.”
It was neither serious nor dismissive, which was more like tacit encouragement.
Hans took it as a cue to intensify his torment of Catherine.
Kathryn didn’t give much thought to this minor issue until she noticed Hans‘ usual attentiveness toward her dwindling. Even his daily text messages’stopped abruptly.
Kathryn didn’t fancy Hans, but she missed the attention. Curious, she began to pay attention to what he was up to and was shocked by what she discovered.
Hans had Catherine pinned against a wall, his body pressed against hers, ignoring her struggles as he forcefully and dominantly kissed her, murmuring. “Catherine, I like you. Just be good, and I won’t bully you…”
At first, Kathryn thought Hans was merely toying with Catherine, perhaps even using her as a stand–in for herself. But when she gave him a chance to get closer, Hans remained indifferent.
Later, Kathryn jokingly asked Hans about Catherine.
1/3
12:47
Hans looked at her, seriously for once, and said, “Kathryn, I might not be able to like you
anymore.”
Because he had fallen for Catherine. He genuinely desired her to be his girlfriend, not as a replacement or for some twisted game.
Kathryn found it ridiculous.
An abuser falling for his victim during the act of violence, and Hans even fancied the idea of a romance. Hans was a fool, a scumbag.
Though Kathryn didn’t like him, she disliked even more the thought of someone taking what was hers. Even if it was just garbage.
So Kathryn acted delighted and congratulated them, and even Invited Catherine into their circle. In front of Hans, Kathryn took care of Catherine and Invited her to lunch, only to serve her leftovers. Kathryn offered to style Catherine’s hair but burned her scalp on purpose. While cutting Catherine’s nails, she intentionally clipped off a piece of her skin.
Sometimes, the fool Hans would show concern for Catherine’s injuries. At such times, Kathryn would apologize profusely to Catherine, and Hans would naturally not mind.
He was a fool proclaiming his affection for Catherine, yet unaware of the different treatment she endured right under his nose.
Kathryn initially just wanted to teach this audacious bitch a lesson. But unexpectedly, Kathryn found out that Catherine was pregnant with Hans‘ child.
Kathryn couldn’t quite articulate her feelings upon learning this news. It was as if a toy she had used for a long time had been tainted by others‘ touch.
Kathryn thought Hans was soiled. But more than Hans, she despised the person who dirtied her
toy.
So Kathryn took advantage of a pregnant and vulnerable Catherine, coaxing her to the deserted rooftop of the school building.
She told Catherine, “The reason Hans treated you that way was actually because of me. I didn’t. like someone else sharing my name, which is why he went after you. Did you really think he liked you? He was just frustrated because I ignored him and wanted a plaything, a substitute. Catherine, I’m sorry, but you’re just a stand–in. He really went too far to please me, even resulting in a loss of life…”
It was only then Catherine understood why she had been bullied and entangled by such a scoundrel under the guise of love.
Catherine despised Hahs and Kathryn.
Perhaps due to her breakdown, or maybe influenced by the curse of the school’s rooftop, Catherine miscarried right there.
20
12:47
Kathryn watched in horror as Catherine collapsed, blood pooling on the ground.
In a state of panic, Kathryn’s first instinct was to run. Ignoring Catherine’s desperate and pleading gaze, and the hand reaching out for help, Kathryn turned away, even locking the rooftop door behind her.
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