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Audrey, still reeling from the shock, didn’t realize Catherine had already approached her. She was lost in her own thoughts, trying to process the betrayal she had just witnessed. When she felt Catherine’s presence, her heart fluttered slightly, and she turned to face her sister.
Catherine, though seemingly calm on the outside, could see the distress in Audrey’s eyes. Without saying a word, she gently took Audrey’s arm and began walking her away from the chaos. Audrey didn’t resist; she was too stunned, her mind replaying the scene with Erik over and over.
“Don’t worry,” Catherine said, her voice soft but firm, “You don’t need to deal with this anymore.”
They walked for a moment in silence, with Audrey occasionally glancing at her sister for reassurance. Catherine’s presence was calming, the way she exuded quiet confidence and strength, something Audrey admired deeply. She had no words for the emotional turmoil inside her. She felt like everything had fallen apart in a matter of minutes.
Branden, who had been following quietly, watched the scene unfold from a distance. He had never seen Catherine so commanding. She had acted decisively when it mattered, and the way she stood up for Audrey… it left him in awe. She wasn’t just the calm and collected woman he had assumed her to be; she had a fierceness that commanded respect.
As they reached a quieter part of the street, Audrey finally spoke, her voice shaky but filled with conviction. “I… I don’t even know what to feel anymore.”
Catherine stopped walking and turned to face her. “You’re strong, Audrey. I know this hurts, but you’ll get through it. You’re not alone.”
Audrey looked up, meeting her sister’s eyes. There was something in Catherine’s gaze, an unspoken promise that Audrey could trust her, no matter what. Catherine would always have her back. Audrey felt a pang of gratitude, the warmth of her sister’s support melting away the icy bitterness Erik had left behind.
“Thank you, Kathy,” Audrey whispered, using the nickname that had once felt too casual but now seemed to fit perfectly.
Catherine smiled slightly. “We’ll get through this together. And don’t worry, we’re not letting you deal with that scumbag again.”
Audrey nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time in what felt like ages, she didn’t feel so alone. And despite the overwhelming situation, Catherine’s quiet strength reassured her that everything would be okay.
Meanwhile, Branden stood a few steps away, observing the two sisters. It was clear that Catherine was a force to be reckoned with, but he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of admiration. His earlier thoughts about Catherine’s emotional walls seemed to be slowly crumbling away. The way she protected Audrey and handled Erik—it was something he hadn’t expected.
He cleared his throat, breaking the quiet moment. “Catherine, Audrey… if you’re up for it, the barbecue restaurant is still waiting. We don’t have to rush back to anything.”
Audrey looked up at Branden and then back at Catherine, the offer of a distraction more tempting than ever. For the first time today, Audrey smiled—genuinely this time.
“I think we could use some food right now,” she said, her voice lighter.
Catherine gave a small nod in agreement. “Let’s go.”
As they made their way toward the restaurant, the tension began to lift, though it still hung in the air. There were things to work through, things to talk about, but for now, they had each other. And that was enough.