Free Web NovelChapter 69: Catalina’s struggles begin
It was early morning at the Grant estate.
Eleanor looked beautiful in a silk dress and a single pearl necklace.
"Karen," Eleanor said, looking at her maid. "Tell the cook to prepare the herb-crusted lamb and the roasted root vegetables for tonight. It’s Julian’s favorite, and he will be here today."
"Yes, ma’am," Karen replied with a nod.
Suddenly, the clicking of high heels echoed against the marble. Catalina stepped into the room, looking perfectly polished.
She didn’t even look at Eleanor; she looked straight at the maid.
"Actually, Karen, scratch the lamb," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "We’re going to have the spicy seafood pasta and the creamed leeks instead. It’s much more modern. Everyone will love it, trust me."
Karen froze, looking back and forth between the two women. The air in the room suddet turning cold.
Eleanor turned slowly, her eyes narrowing. "What is the meaning of that, Catalina? You do not come into my home and counter my instructions."
Catalina pulled back, putting on a fake, innocent face. "I am sorry, Mother. I just thought we might enjoy something different for a change. The lamb is so... traditional."
"If you want something else, Karen will be happy to inform the cook to make a side dish for you," Eleanor said, her voice like a whip. "But you dare not counter my instructions in my own house. Ever."
She turned back to Karen. "Go and do exactly as I said."
"Yes, ma’am!" Karen hurried away, eager to escape the tension.
Eleanor gave Catalina one last warning look before walking out toward the garden. As soon as they were both gone, Catalina’s fake smile dropped. Her face twisted into a mask of pure hatred.
"Foolish woman," she hissed to the empty room.
She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out her phone, dialing a number quickly. After two rings, a man’s voice answered.
"Yep," Mateo said.
"Mateo, where the fuck are you?" Catalina snapped, pacing the floor.
"What’s eating you up?" Mateo asked with a lazy chuckle. "Lately, you are always fuming." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"It’s that woman! I can’t stand her anymore!"
"Which woman? If you mean Julian’s mother, you should try to get along with her," Mateo advised. "You know how much he loves his mother. And you’re supposed to love her too."
"Oh, please," Catalina rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with venom. "I would have felt that way about her, if I hadn’t overheard her telling her husband, that she didn’t think I was right for her son. I don’t know what nonsense Julian told her after the accident, but she’s changed. She used to always indulge me, and thought I was the best person for her son."
"Um... you never mentioned that. Why would she say that? Unless she’s changed because she’s beginning to see the real you," Mateo joked.
"Shut up, Mateo! Just get the car ready. I need to get out of this house before I lose my mind."
"Don’t talk to me like that, am not your chauffeur." Mateo sounded angry.
Catalina let out a harsh, jagged laugh. "Oh, forgive me, Mateo. I forgot you have... aspirations. But right now, you’re the only person I can trust, so stop being so sensitive and get moving."
"I’m coming," he grumbled, his voice still tight with irritation. "But keep pushing me, Catalina, and see how fast I disappear when you need a favor."
The line went dead.
Catalina stared at the screen for a moment, her chest heaving. Everyone was testing her. Eleanor was treating her like an interloper, Julian was treating her like a stranger, and even Mateo — who usually fell in line — was growing a spine.
She shoved her phone back into her pocket and smoothed her hair. She needed to be smart. As she walked out of the living room she bumped into Julian.
"M-my love, you are back."
She threw her arms around him, clinging to him. Julian felt a surge of irritation. He didn’t hug her back. Instead, he reached up and firmly peeled her off.
"How was San Jose?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"Fine," he muttered, walking past her to climb the stairs.
But when he pushed his door open, he froze on the threshold.
The room was unrecognizable.
His eyes scanned the chaos of silk dresses, designer shoes, and expensive perfumes that had invaded his space.
"Why the hell did I agree to this marriage in the first place?" he groaned, rubbing his temples.
The dull ache in his head was returning, fueled by the suffocating scent of her jasmine perfume.
As if on cue, the door pushed open and Catalina entered closing the door behind her with a quiet click.
"Is something wrong, my love?" she asked, walking toward him, ignoring the way he stepped back. "You seem... tense. San Jose must have been more exhausting than you let on."
"What is all this?" Julian asked, gesturing broadly to the room. "The suitcases, the vanity table... I don’t remember asking you to pack everything you own to the estate. Look, I need this room to be mine, so move your things to the guest wing."
The smile on Catalina’s face faded. "The guest wing? Julian, we are married. People will talk. The servants will—"
"I don’t care what anyone says, and I don’t care about the gossip," Julian interrupted. He walked over to the door and held it open. "Move them. Now."
Julian watched her eyes flash with anger before she quickly masked it with a look of hurt.
"I won’t stay where I’m not wanted," she whispered, her voice trembling with fake emotion. She grabbed a silk robe from the bed, clutching it to her chest. "If you want me to be a guest in my own husband’s home, I’d rather move back to my own house. I clearly don’t belong here."
Julian’s headache increased. He didn’t have the energy for a scandal, and he certainly didn’t have the energy to explain to his mother why Catalina was moving out in the middle of the day.
"Fine," he sighed, rubbing his temple. "Stay. Just... keep your things to your side of the room. I’m going to wash up."
He turned on his heel and walked into the ensuite bathroom, shutting the door and turning the lock with a definitive click.
Outside, Julian had left his phone unlocked on the bed.
The screen lit up with a soft glow, vibrating against the mattress. A notification banner appeared at the top of the display.
NEW MESSAGES:
Flight Confirmation:
Passenger: Julian Harrison Grant III
Destination: Freeland
LIly: Sir, as requested, the private car will meet you at the airport to take you directly to the hotel.
Ethan: The address is: 1422 Magnolia Heights, Suite 4B.
Catalina’s heart stopped.
She looked at the door to the bathroom — the water was still running.
1422 Magnolia Heights. She knew that address by heart now.
Ethan.
That meddling, so-called "loyal" cousin had finally done it. He had handed Julian the map back to the one woman who could ruin everything.
She couldn’t just sit back and watch her future go up in flames. She had to do something drastic.
The next day, before midday, there she was — standing in front of Aurora.
