Cedric took me back to the hospital for a full check–up.
When the results came in, he sat in silence for a long time.
He didn’t say a word, but his eyes slowly reddened.
He asked the doctors to design a personalized care plan for me and wrote down every detail with metic- ulous patience.
He was more attentive to me than Kendric had ever been to Juliette.
After two days of rest, Cedric brought me to the Holloway’s manor.
But this time, I’m not Kendric’s wife anymore.
I had no need to spend all day in the kitchen, and I was never allowed a seat at the table.
Cedric held my hand and led me straight to the main seat.
“This time, I’m back not just to take over the Holloway Group,” he said.
“I’m here for Catriona. I’ll marry her–not just because of the engagement between our families, but be- cause I’ve loved her since childhood. Whether you approve or not, my decision is final.”
Kendric dared not speak, though his fork shredded the steak on his plate.
Evan coughed harshly.
He said, “Cedric, this isn’t right.
“Catriona was Kendric’s wife, and she’s the woman Kendric truly loves. How can you ignore your own brother’s feelings for the sake of a woman?
“Besides, she strayed in marriage and seduced her husband’s brother. How can she ever be fit to be Mrs. Holloway?”
Cedric slammed down his knife and fork.
His gaze swept the room before settling on Kendric.
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Chapter 7
“How laughable, to hear such words from you.
“Perhaps I should tell you how Catriona and I truly got in touch again.”
Cedric told everything.
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Back then, Kendric had abandoned me on a foreign street, leaving me to the mercy of criminals.
Cornered in a dark alley, I was nearly taken away by those criminals when Cedric appeared, saving me just in time.
He took me back to his place, stayed at my side until my fear subsided, then had his assistant call Kendric.
When Kendric heard what had happened, he sneered.
“Catriona? Even free, I wouldn’t take her. Who’d waste their time on her?
“If something like this happens again, tell her to wash her face, and she’ll be fine. I’m busy. Don’t bother me with this nonsense.”
Behind his voice, music blared, and Juliette’s laughter spilled through the line.
The assistant looked at me with awkward sympathy.
And Cedric sat in silence, his expression storm–dark.
At last, he fixed his gaze on mine and asked, each word heavy.
“Catriona, is this the life you’ve been living all these years?”
Perhaps it was the lingering fear.
Perhaps it was all the bitterness I had swallowed.
Perhaps it was simply too long since anyone had spoken to me with such care.
I broke down in tears, pouring out everything I had endured.
That night, Cedric, who never touched tobacco or drink, smoked one cigar after another.
And as the hours passed, he finally confessed the feelings he had buried deep.
“Catriona, I’ve loved you since I was young. But I couldn’t bring myself to disturb what I thought was your happiness with Kendric. So I left.
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Chapter 7
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“I never imagined that bastard would treat you this way. If I had known, I would have married you no
matter what.
“Catriona, leave him. Give me the chance to love you.”
I sat beside him, listening to his words, and felt a warmth I had never known.
For the first time, I realized that in this world, someone truly loved me.
And I was worthy of being loved.
Cedric wanted to take me back to demand justice.
But I shook my head.
“My life is my own to resolve.”
From that moment, I determined to leave Kendric.
The marriage between the Holloway and Whitworth families was unchangeable.
But I could choose a man who loved me.
Cedric and I made a promise.
I would return alone to divorce Kendric.
And when I was free, I would start over with Cedric.
It wasn’t easy. But fortunately, I did it.
Cedric said coldly, “You all know what Kendric has done. You simply don’t care because it was not you
who suffered.
“But what has Catriona done to deserve this? If her mother is watching from above, would she not call the Holloway family faithless, unworthy of trust?
“I know the Holloways protect their own. So do I. You protect Kendric. And I protect Catriona. Anyone who dares harm her will answer to me.”
His words carried weight.
Tears blurred my vision as I clung to his hand, unwilling to let go.
And I didn’t notice that Kendric’s eyes were wet in the corner.
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