It had only been a few days since Kathleen last visited the Vance residence. Yet, the moment she stepped out of the car, the maids greeted her respectfully.
“Mrs. Vance.”
That title made her heart skip a beat. She steadied herself and walked into the house, trying to act natural.
Inside the spacious living room, Shawn was seated next to Judy. Judy looked at him with a tender, doting expression, tinged with concern.
Kathleen couldn’t help but envy that kind of mother-son relationship. Warm moments like this were blurry in her own memory.
“Come sit with us, Kat,” Judy said gently, motioning her over.
Hearing her voice, Kathleen almost thought it was her own mother calling her with a smile.
She pushed down the wave of sadness in her chest and walked over. Judy signaled for her to sit next to Shawn.
Kathleen knew just how much Shawn didn’t want her there, but with Judy watching, she smiled and obediently sat beside him.
Judy turned to look at the two of them, beaming. “You’re such a beautiful couple. It’s truly a perfect match.”
Shawn’s expression was icy, while Kathleen offered a shy smile.
“Shawn, Kat is a good girl. She’s your wife now. You should treat her well.”
He showed no reaction.
Judy then turned to Kathleen before standing up and extending her hand.
Kathleen followed suit and took Judy’s proffered hand.
Linking arms with her affectionately, Judy chatted as they headed upstairs.
Once the door was closed, she gently let go and spoke in a soft but distant tone. “You and Shawn aren’t living together?”
Kathleen shook her head.
“That won’t do.” Judy frowned. “How can you build a relationship if you don’t even live together?”
But Kathleen knew that wasn’t really what she meant. Judy didn’t care whether they bonded or not—she just wanted them under the same roof so they could have a baby.
They were rushing to find him a wife just to ensure that the family line continued.
Kathleen knew perfectly well what was going on, but she still explained gently, “We got married without him even knowing. Of course, he hasn’t accepted me yet. If I move in with him now, it’ll only make him hate me more.”
She spoke sweetly, coaxing her. “Don’t worry, I’ll do my best. Since I’ve married him, I want to build a real life together. I would love to have children with him to make this family whole.”
Her attitude was good, and it seemed to please Judy.
She lightly patted Kathleen on the shoulder. “You’re a sensible girl. As long as you give the Vance family an heir, we won’t treat you poorly.”
Kathleen smiled obediently.
“You’ll both stay here tonight,” Judy added, leaving no room for discussion.
Kathleen’s smile froze slightly.
Judy just kept smiling, as if she hadn’t noticed her awkwardness. “Opportunities don’t just fall into your lap. You have to create them.”
Kathleen forced a smile, barely lifting the corners of her lips, but soon, she felt a little more at ease. There was no way Shawn would go along with something like this.
…
After dinner, she waited for him to leave. To her surprise, he stood up and headed upstairs. Her brows furrowed slightly.
A moment later, a maid brought out some fruit.
Judy smiled and handed the plate to Kathleen. “Take it upstairs and share it with Shawn.”
Kathleen accepted it and replied sweetly, “Okay.”
She took a deep breath as she headed up the stairs.
Stopping in front of the door, she raised her hand and knocked. The door opened to reveal his pale, expressionless face, his eyes indifferent.
“Darling,” she said coquettishly.
Shawn’s expression darkened even more.
Kathleen lifted the fruit plate and tilted her head with a playful smile. Her eyes sparkled, sweet and charming. “Have some fruit.”
Shawn noticed a shadow at the stairwell. He stepped aside to let her in.
As soon as the door closed, he shoved her against the wall. The washed cherries were scattered across the floor.
Kathleen’s back slammed against the wall. Even though she was wearing a sweater, it still hurt. She looked up into his eyes. They were cold, dark, and bottomless, radiating danger.
His hand closed around her throat, with no concern for how much pressure she could take. “What are you after, going to all this trouble?”
Kathleen realized she’d been too quick to say he wasn’t a psychopath. Her throat burned. She struggled for air and slapped at his shoulder.
Shawn finally let go when he saw her eyes turn red and wet, looking genuinely pitiful.
She coughed hard for a moment before finally catching her breath. She passed the fruit plate to him again.
Shawn frowned. She looked like a fool, still offering him fruit after that.
“Your mom said you should eat more fruit. It’s good for your health,” Kathleen explained between unsteady breaths.
He took the plate from her.
Kathleen slid down the wall, hand pressed to her chest. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her palm. She had almost died earlier.
Shawn didn’t think he’d been particularly rough, but seeing her like this made him wonder if he’d gone too far.
“What could I possibly do to you?” she asked helplessly, tinged with bitterness. “If you think I’m after something, you can draw up an agreement. I won’t lay a finger on anything that’s yours.”
Shawn looked down at her. Looking unexpectedly pitiful, she tilted her chin up slightly, eyes misty. This time, she seemed pretty sincere.
“I will,” he replied bluntly. None of what I have has anything to do with you.”
“Then, is it okay if I admire you?” Kathleen gazed up at him. Her soft, teary eyes were filled with longing and careful hope.
Shawn suddenly found it amusing. She married a stranger after she’d just broken up with Ryan. Now, she was asking the questions as if she were deeply in love with him.
He crouched down to meet her gaze. “How many faces do you have?”
Kathleen was speechless.
“By falling for a man on his deathbed, are you planning to die with me when I go?” His words were laced with venom.
Seeing her dazed expression, he sneered. “You don’t want a divorce? Fine. I’ll play along. Whatever your final goal is, to me, you’re nothing more than a name. That’s all.”
Even though he still looked pale and unwell, the sheer force of his presence at such close range left Kathleen flustered and breathless.
Shawn rose to his feet and looked down at her with disdain. “Don’t mention your identity to anyone. You have nothing to do with the Vance family.”
Kathleen drew a quiet breath but said nothing. She took his words as her answer.
She never planned on telling anyone anyway. This marriage wasn’t going to last.
“You’ll have to put up with me tonight.” She looked up at him, her eyes misty as she blinked. “Judy wants us to stay together.”
Shawn turned away. “Sleep wherever you want. Just not on the bed.”
Kathleen fell silent.
