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Catherine watched Audrey with a thoughtful expression, the spark of mischief that had been in her eyes fading as she saw her sister’s resolve firm up. It was a difficult moment, but Audrey was showing strength, and that made Catherine proud.
“Good choice,” Catherine said softly, a rare sincerity in her voice. “Focusing on yourself will always be the best decision.”
Audrey nodded, her earlier sadness slowly melting away as she embraced the change in perspective. “Yeah. I’m going to show him—and everyone—that I can do just fine without him.”
Catherine gave a small, approving smile before turning to Triston, who had been silently observing the exchange. He was clearly relieved that things weren’t escalating to a dangerous level.
“You really know how to handle things, huh?” Triston said, his voice laced with admiration.
Catherine shot him a wry grin. “I have my ways.”
The conversation shifted away from Erik, and soon, the trio found themselves relaxing a bit more. The tension that had been hanging thickly in the air began to dissipate as Audrey, with Triston’s support, started to feel like she could breathe again.
Meanwhile, Branden had returned from the washroom, his earlier fluster now replaced by a calm demeanor. He was still a bit disoriented from the encounter with Catherine earlier but was more composed now. He slid into the booth next to Catherine, giving her a sideways glance.
“Did I miss anything?” he asked, trying to ease the mood.
Catherine raised an eyebrow. “We’re not talking about Erik anymore.”
“Good,” Branden said, his lips curling into a smile. “That guy’s not worth our time.”
Audrey, now feeling a bit lighter, leaned back in her seat, grateful for the distraction. “You’re right. It’s just me now.”
Catherine gave her a nod of encouragement, her voice calm and reassuring. “Exactly. And I’m here for you, no matter what.”
With that, the evening continued, the conversation flowing more easily now. Laughter filled the air, and while the wounds of betrayal weren’t fully healed, there was a sense of camaraderie among the group. Catherine’s protectiveness, Branden’s charm, and Triston’s gentle presence helped to lift Audrey’s spirits.
For now, at least, they had each other. And in that moment, that was more than enough.
Catherine gave Audrey a knowing look, one that suggested she was glad to see her sister find some clarity amidst the confusion. The change in Audrey’s demeanor was palpable. Catherine had always known Audrey was stronger than she let on, but witnessing it firsthand gave her a sense of pride. She could see the spark of determination in her eyes as Audrey decided to focus on her career, no longer allowing Erik’s betrayal to define her.
Branden, who had returned from his brief escape to the washroom, approached the two women just as the conversation seemed to settle. He had been listening from a distance, but now, seeing the shift in Audrey’s attitude, he felt a small sense of relief. He was never good at offering emotional support, but it seemed Catherine had everything under control.
Catherine turned toward him with a raised brow. “Well, I guess we’re not kidnapping Erik tonight after all.”
Branden couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. “You were serious about that, weren’t you?”
“Of course,” Catherine said, her tone a little more playful now. “But Audrey decided to let him off the hook.”
Audrey gave a half-hearted shrug, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’ve had enough of him. It’s time to move on.”
Catherine stepped closer, wrapping an arm around Audrey’s shoulders. “That’s my girl. You’ll be better off without him.”
Branden watched the interaction between the two sisters, impressed by the unspoken bond they shared. Audrey had gone from devastation to resolution in what felt like the span of just a few minutes. He was relieved to see Audrey feeling better, though he knew there would be more emotional hurdles for her to cross.
“Well, if you’re both done being murderous, maybe we can actually enjoy that barbecue—or, you know, whatever is left of the night,” Branden suggested with a smile, trying to ease the tension.
Audrey giggled at his attempt to lighten the mood. “You’re right. I’m starving. Let’s go.”
The trio left the bar and walked into the night, the promise of a carefree evening ahead. Audrey had come to terms with the betrayal, Catherine had ensured her sister wasn’t alone, and Branden—well, he was just happy to have both women in better spirits.
As they made their way toward the restaurant, Catherine couldn’t help but feel that tonight had turned out differently than she had expected. Though the weight of what had happened still hung in the air, it seemed like a chapter had closed for Audrey. And Catherine couldn’t help but feel proud of how far she had come in such a short time.
It was a victory—of sorts—and Catherine would do whatever it took to keep her sister moving forward.