Later in the evening...

Katherine's POV

I walked toward the main hall, my entire body trembling as if the ground beneath me had been yanked away.

I needed to find Ashton. I had to see him, talk to him. My thoughts raced with what I'd just learned, swirling into a storm I couldn't contain.

My eyes darted around the wide space frantically, scanning the crowd of well-dressed strangers and unfamiliar faces. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses. But he wasn't there.

I spotted Alex near the bar, talking with a group of men who seemed engrossed in some conversation. He glanced my way, his brow furrowing the moment he caught sight of me. Maybe it was the panic etched into my face, or the unsteady way I moved toward him.

"Katherine?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.

"Where is Ashton?" I asked.

Alex frowned, glancing over his shoulder, "I saw him step out of the hall a while ago—down the corridor to the right, I think."

I nodded, managing a weak smile before turning away. My heart pounded erratically as I moved, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

Reaching the corridor Alex mentioned, I found two doors. My hands shook as I pushed open the first one, only to find it empty.

I swallowed hard, stepping back. My breaths grew shallower as I approached the second door, my trembling fingers brushing over the handle before I turned it.

And that's when my world shattered.

The door creaked open just enough for me to see him.

Ashton stood in the far corner of the room, his frame partially obscured by...Rebecca, who was standing close—too close.

Before I could process anything, his hand moved. He grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her toward him and pinning her against the wall with a force that made my stomach churn.

Time slowed.

My feet rooted themselves to the ground, and my breath caught somewhere between my lungs and throat.

I watched, unable to move, as his face drew closer to hers.

His expression was unreadable, his body language tense, and yet the intent seemed devastatingly clear.

And then—

His head dipped, his lips moving dangerously close to hers.

My heart stopped. It felt like the air had been ripped from my lungs.

I didn't wait to see anything more. I couldn't.

I turned and ran, my legs carrying me blindly through the corridor and back into the crowded hall. I didn't care who I bumped into.

I just ran.

When I reached the outdoors, the cold night air hit me like a slap, but it wasn't enough to numb the raw pain in my chest.

I stumbled toward a small bench near the fountain and collapsed onto it. My hands cradled my head as the first tear escaped, sliding down my cheek and falling onto my lap.

The image of them scorched my chest, burned my weak heart; His lips on hers. Her hands clutching his suit.

What was I thinking?

How pathetic of me to believe things could ever change.

I had convinced myself that maybe, just maybe, we could make this work. That he could be mine. That I could be his. That this marriage could stand a chance.

How foolish.

Earlier that morning...

After I accidentally muttered Chase's name, Ashton left.

He didn't argue, didn't even glance back. He just grabbed his phone and walked out.

I didn't know where he went, but I sat in my room, waiting.

I tried calling him, pacing with the phone pressed to my ear. Each unanswered ring chipped away at my willpower, the knot in my stomach tightening with every passing second.

I could do nothing but wait.

Maybe he'd come back. Maybe I'd get the chance to explain, to apologize for the slip-up that even I didn't fully understand.

But he didn't.

The guilt ate me alive as the second ticked by. I tried to imagine how he must've felt and my heart squeezed so tight. I mean, how would I feel if he said someone else's name in a moment like that? Probably worse than I feel now.

A sharp knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I practically leaped to my feet.

I rushed toward the door, my heart pounding. Was it Ashton? Was he back?

But the moment I opened it, my flicker of hope fizzled out.

"Alex?" I blinked at the grinning figure in front of me, my brows furrowing in confusion.

"Miss me?" he asked with a mischievous smile, his arms opening wide for a hug.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still trying to process his sudden appearance.

"Well, it seems like you didn't miss me," He mumbled, frowning as he dropped his arms dramatically.

"Of course I missed you," I said with a small smile. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back, squeezing me ever so tightly. My eyelids fell down, and my hands clutched into his jacket; god knows I needed a friend.

"What are you doing here?" I asked once we pulled apart, ushering him inside.

"Your dear husband called me for some work," he said with a bored tone before plopping down on the couch, "But obviously, I had to check on my sweetheart first," He added with a wink, reaching out to pinch the tip of my nose like I was five years old.

"How's Cara?" I asked. We only texted lately, usually her checking up on my well-being and whether Ashton had killed me yet and buried me somewhere in this foreign city. You know, the basics.

"Busy as ever," he said with a sigh. "I told her to come with me, but she's got this new project going on and you know how she gets."

I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.

"So," he said, leaning forward with a seriousness that didn't quite match his usual playful demeanor. "How are you doing?" His gaze flickered around the house, as if trying to read between the lines of our life here.

"How has it been? And don't lie to me."

"Fine, I...guess," I mumbled, I really had no clear answer to that.

"Seriously?" he deadpanned, raising a skeptical brow.

I sighed, sinking into the cushions, "I don't know, Alex. Some days are good, and others are just..." I trailed off, thinking about this morning. "Never mind."

His eyes softened, but instead of pressing, he offered me a smile and switched topics. "How's my little cute niece or nephew doing?" he asked, nodding fondly toward my belly.

I smiled despite myself, my hand instinctively moving to rest over the small bump.

"Do you know that your baby is, like, this much big right now," He said, holding his fingers up with a small gap between them, "Almost the size of a kidney bean."

"Can you imagine that?" He added in astonishment like he'd discovered a life-changing revelation.

I chuckled, "I know that,"

He leaned closer, pretending to inspect the little gap in his fingers like it held the mysteries of the universe. "Hey, Mommy," he said, his voice ridiculously high-pitched like a little baby as he wiggled his fingers in front of my face.

I raised a brow, already sensing where this was going. "Oh no. Don't."

"How come my daddy is always grumpy and angry, huh?" he squeaked, moving his baby-sized finger gap closer to me.

"Alex—"

"How come my daddy is a big dick?" he continued in the same ridiculous voice, making me burst into laughter, "Does he have a big dick too?"

"Alex!" I shot out, swatting at his arm, "Stop."

He shrugged, "Not that I am interested or anything," he shrugged, being his absolutely silly self, "I've seen it, wasn't very impressed, to be honest," He added, like this was the most casual conversation ever.

My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. This man never ceases to take me off guard with his unfiltered mouth.

He noticed the horrified look on my face, "What?" he asked, feigning innocence, "We were roommates. I've probably seen him naked more times than you have."

"And was he aware of you seeing him?" I asked.

He tilted his head thoughtfully, "Eh, that's...up for debate."

I really wanted to believe that he was only trying to lift my spirits and none of this was true.

I narrowed my eyes at him, he only grinned devilishly, not even fazed, "Mommy," he said, raising his fingers again, "How come Uncle Alex is so hot?"

God, this man...

He stayed for about an hour, and as much as I wanted to strangle him for his nonsense, I couldn't deny how much lighter I felt.

We talked bit and pieces about Ashton, the loneliness of my life here, and everything in between. Every time the conversation teetered into seriousness, he'd derail it with a ridiculous joke or some borderline-inappropriate comment.

By the time he stood to leave, my mind felt blissfully free from its usual chaos.

"You're going to the party tonight, right?" he asked, standing by the door and adjusting his jacket.

"Yeah," I replied, leaning against the frame. "You're going too?"

"Obviously," he said and winked, "They can't have a party without me."

I shook my head, "See you there."

"Don't miss me too much," he called over his shoulder, strutting toward his car.

I shut the door with a smile. Alex might be a handful, but in moments like this, I was beyond grateful for him.

I glanced at the time and frowned, my smile slowly falling down. Alex's visit had been a perfect distraction, but the moment he left, that familiar wave of unease crept back in.

I stood in the middle of my room, debating whether to head out for shopping or not. The idea of walking into a store, picking a dress, and pretending I wasn't a ball of nerves felt impossible.

I just couldn't.

With a sharp exhale, I decided against it. Instead, I turned toward the closet, the one filled with the clothes Ashton had packed for me. Surely, there had to be something suitable for the party.

Much to my luck, I found a dress. It was elegant and breathtaking in its simplicity—a sleek, off-the-shoulder black gown with long sleeves that flared elegantly, tied with delicate bows.

I tried it on, and the fit was perfect. It hugged my figure in all the right places, the flowing skirt falling gracefully to the floor, subtly flattering my small bump without drawing attention to it.

I turned to look at myself in the mirror, and for the first time in a while, I felt...beautiful.

But the moment was short-lived. The anxiety clawed its way back as I realized I still had to face the evening and Ashton. What would I even say to him?

I forced myself to focus, trying to busy my hands as I started getting ready. Applying makeup felt like a battle, my hands were unsteady, and it took me over thirty minutes just to get my eyeliner remotely even.

By the time I finished and slipped into a pair of simple heels, the clock was already nearing six-thirty. My heart raced as I smoothed down my dress and waited.

Ashton said six-thirty, didn't he? Surely, he'd be here any minute.

But as the clock ticked to seven and the silence in the house stretched on, hope began to waver. Where was he? Was he even coming?

What if he had changed his mind?

A knock at my bedroom door broke my spiraling thoughts. I rushed to open it, but it wasn't Ashton standing there.

It was Skyla. "Mrs. Katherine, the driver is waiting outside."

"And Ashton?" I asked.

She shook her head apologetically, "I don't know."

I nodded, trying to mask my disappointment with a forced smile. "Thank you."

As I walked outside, my stomach churned. The driver stood by the car, and Ashton was nowhere in sight. My heart felt like it sank into the pit of my stomach.

I was halfway to the car, the evening already ruined, when the sudden roar of an engine made me jump. A car sped into the driveway and parked behind the one waiting for me. The door opened, and Alex stepped out.

"Is it just me, or does pregnancy make you look even prettier?" he teased, his eyes flickering all over me, winking as he strode toward me.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered.

"I'm rescuing you, obviously," he said dramatically, gesturing toward the car, "Let's go."

"Wait," I said, confused. "Where?"

"To the party, genius. What else?"

"But...I was going with the driver," I stammered.

Alex rolled his eyes, feigning offense. "And you'd prefer that over my charming company? I'm hurt."

"No, it's just..." I trailed off.

His expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "I overheard Ashton telling the driver to pick you up, but I figured you wouldn't be comfortable walking in alone, especially since you don't know anyone there."

He shrugged casually, "So, here I am. Your knight in shining armor."

A genuine smile broke across my face at his sweet gesture, "Thank you."

"Anytime," he said, opening the car door for me with an exaggerated bow, "My lady."

I chuckled softly as I climbed in, "Don't let it go to your head."

Alex grinned, sliding into the driver's seat. As he started the engine, he shot me a quick wink. "Buckle up. It's going to be a memorable night."

Oh, it will be, alright.

We arrived at the mansion about thirty minutes later, its white façade glowing under soft golden lights. A large fountain stood at the center, water arching rhythmically to the faint music drifting from inside.

As Alex stopped the car by the entrance and we stepped out, I smoothed my dress, suddenly feeling a little out of place amidst the elegance.

With his hand resting lightly on my back, Alex gently guided me forward. Inside, the hall buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses, surrounded by men in sharp suits and women in glittering gowns.

"There's your lover boy," Alex said, his words snapping me out of my daze.

I followed his gaze and my heart couldn't help but quiver. Ashton stood across the room, surrounded by a small group of people. His tall frame was impossible to miss, dressed impeccably in a tailored navy suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean build.

The crisp white shirt beneath his jacket was unbuttoned just enough at the collar, giving him an edge yet he looked every bit the polished, powerful man he was.

His hair was slightly tousled as if his fingers had combed through it. That sharp jawline, those piercing blue eyes, and the unreadable expression etched onto his face—he was impossible to ignore, magnetic in a way that only promised destruction.

He was a flame, and I was the moth foolish enough to keep circling closer, knowing I'd be reduced to nothing but ashes.

Our eyes met across the room, and everything around me seemed to blur.

His gaze held mine, unwavering. There was no warmth in his expression, no smile to soften the intensity of his stare. He was angry, and I couldn't blame him for once.

My pulse quickened, my palms growing clammy as he began walking toward us. When he stopped, right next to me, I felt the oxygen get sucked from the room, but Alex seemed to be breathing normally, so the problem must be me.

Alex clapped Ashton on the shoulder, "Well, look who decided to show up. Husband of the Year, leaving his poor wife to fend for herself."

Ashton shot him a glare, his jaw tightening. "Alex."

"I'm just saying, I had to swoop in and save the day," Even though his words were playful, they held a warning, "You're slipping."

"Alex, if you don't shut up—" Ashton started to say.

"Alright, alright, no need to get your perfectly tailored suit in a twist," Alex muttered with a dramatic sigh, "Let's go find the groom-to-be. I am so bored already."

As we walked, not a word passed between us, but I could feel Ashton's eyes burning into me.

We approached a man standing with his back to us, his broad shoulders relaxed as he chatted with someone. Almost as if sensing our presence, he turned around, his gaze landing on me first.

His face lit up with recognition. "Katherine?" he said, his voice laced with surprise.

"David?" My voice mirrored his shock.

"How are you?" he asked, his tone warm.

"I'm fine," I managed, forcing a polite smile. "How about you?"

"I'm great," he replied, his easygoing grin still in place. "Did you come here with Caleb?"

Caleb? My stomach twisted. Caleb is here?

Perfect. Just perfect. This night officially couldn't get worse.

"How do you two know each other?" Alex asked, his brows furrowed as his eyes darted between David and me.

Ashton, on the other hand, stayed silent, his sharp glare fixed on me like a razor's edge.

David smiled, oblivious to the tension, "We used to work together," he explained. "Wow, how long has it been? Four years?"

"Yeah, something like that," I said, my voice tighter than I intended.

"Work...together?" Alex asked, still trying to piece this puzzle.

David nodded, "Yeah, back when Katherine used to work with..." His words trailed off as realization dawned on him, his expression shifting slightly.

With Chase.

I looked away, the weight of the pity in his eyes unbearable.

"Katherine, seriously, you and Chase...you two were the reason I wanted to believe in love," David said, his voice so soft, recalling a fond memory.

Why did he have to bring that up? Now? My throat tightened as I tried to suppress the rising discomfort.

Sensing the shift in the air, David attempted to redirect the conversation. "So, um...did you come with Caleb?" he asked.

"No," the answer came, but not from me.

Ashton, it seemed, had decided to step in.

"She came with her husband," Ashton said, his voice calm but firm as his arm slid around my waist like it belonged there. The gesture was so smooth, so calculated, it almost felt...real. Almost.

David's eyes darted to Ashton's arm, the realization flickering across his face. "Oh," he said, blinking in surprise. "Oh wow. You two got married? That's...unexpected. Congratulations," he added, though his tone was tinged with mild disbelief.

His gaze lingered on Ashton, and with a teasing tone, he said, "Thanks for the wedding invite, by the way. Super thoughtful."

Ashton didn't even flinch. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing," he replied smoothly.

My jaw tightened. Spur of the moment. Right. How romantic.

Before the conversation could spiral any further, a group of men approached David, pulling him into a friendly exchange. He excused himself, and I silently thanked the heavens for the reprieve.

"I'm going to get a drink," Alex said giving me a knowing glance before disappearing into the crowd, leaving me and Ashton standing there. Alone.

The air between us felt suffocating.

Not wanting to stay, I turned on my heel to follow Alex, but before I could take a single step, Ashton's hand wrapped firmly around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going after Alex," I said flatly, refusing to meet his eyes.

"No," he said, his grip tightening. "You'll stay beside me."

I glanced at his hand holding my wrist, then back at him. "You can't just order me around, Ashton. Let go."

"I said you will stay beside me," he repeated, not caring for his tone.

"Keep your voice down," I said, noticing the curious stares of the people nearby. "There's no reason to make a scene."

"Then do what I say."

"I won't," I bit back, "You can't just bark orders at me like I'm some obedient pet."

His jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with something dangerous. Freeing my hand from his grip, I turned and walked away, his gaze boring into my back.

I found a chair and sank into it, my feet ached, and these heels didn't make it easier.

I sighed, my irritation only growing. Why couldn't I just leave? Why couldn't he just act normal?

"Looks like you could use this," a voice said, making me look up. A young woman stood there, holding two champagne glasses.

I nodded and took one without thinking, but as I brought it to my lips, I froze. "Oh, no!" I said, louder than necessary, shoving the glass back at her.

"Jeez woman, I just thought you might need some."

"No, not like that," I wiped at my mouth, "I'm pregnant."

Her brows rose. "Oh. Who's the lucky guy?"

My gaze flickered, falling on the jerk himself, already between a crowd, ever the center of attention.

Her eyes followed, widening. "Mr. Ryder?"

Does everyone know the infamous Mr. Ryder?

"You know him?"

"Of course. I'm his personal assistant," she said, smiling as she sat down.

Oh, for the love of—this was Rebecca?

I nearly choked on my own saliva, my eyes widening as I stared at her.

She was gorgeous, annoyingly so. She looked like she belonged in a magazine, not an office. And worse? She seemed nice.

"Pleasure to meet you," she said, smiling sweetly. "I'm Rebecca."

I know who you are, you stunning witch.

"Katherine," I replied, plastering on my best fake smile. "The pleasure's all mine."

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with warmth, "Mr. Ryder is such a great boss," she added, her tone dripping with admiration.

Yeah, great my ass. I swallowed my annoyance, giving a polite nod. "Yes, he sure is," I lied, trying not to grit my teeth.

I glanced away, trying to ignore her, but my heart dropped when I spotted a familiar pair of green eyes across the room—Caleb.

Panic set in. "Excuse me," I said abruptly, standing so fast I nearly knocked over the chair. "I need to go to the restroom." Without waiting for a response, I bolted, desperate to get away from both Rebecca and the man now walking toward me.

I hurried out of the room, my pulse pounding. Where in the world was the bathroom? I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Caleb wasn't following me and sighed in relief when I didn't see him. But when I turned back, there he was.

"Wow, running from me now?" Caleb said, walking closer.

"I don't want to talk to you," I snapped, stepping back. "So just stay away from me."

I didn't care where I was going, just as long as it was away from him. The last thing I needed was Ashton catching me anywhere near Caleb.

But Caleb didn't seem to understand the concept of boundaries.

His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist firmly, spinning me back to face him. My heart pounded as I stared up at him, his jaw clenched tight.

"You hate me that much now?" he asked, his voice edged with bitterness.

"I do hate you," I hissed, yanking at my wrist, but his grip only tightened. "Let me go."

His lips twitched, but it wasn't a smile—it was colder, crueler. "Make a scene if you want. What's the plan, Katherine? Call your dear husband to kick my ass?"

"Let me go, Caleb," I said, my voice rising.

Instead, his mocking tone deepened, hitting where he knew it hurt. "Tell me, Katherine, how does it feel to be married? Sleeping in separate rooms, pretending it's real?" He tilted his head, his words sharp as daggers.

"Does it get lonely, knowing it's all a lie?"

My breath hitched, his words slicing through me. I opened my mouth to retort, but he was already moving closer, his free hand sliding to my waist, pulling me in before I could stop him.

"It's hard, isn't it?" he murmured, his voice dropping as his face inched closer to mine. "When your love is one-sided, when it eats away at you, leaving you with nothing."

My chest tightened as his words clawed at my insecurities, stirring emotions I didn't want to feel.

"Too bad. I could've shown you what love really feels like," His hand brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingertips grazing my cheek.

For a second, I froze. Not because I wanted this—God, no—but because his words disarmed me. Caleb had always known how to dig his way into my head, how to manipulate my fears and twist them to his will.

But when his body edged closer, his intent suddenly clear, my instincts kicked in.

My free hand shot up, landing a sharp slap across his face. The sound echoed through the corridor. His grip on me loosened instantly, and I staggered back, putting as much distance as I could between us.

"Don't you dare come near me again," I seethed, pointing a shaking finger at him. My chest heaved with anger, with disgust at him and, perhaps, myself. "And for the record, yes—I love him."

His jaw clenched, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Do you?" he asked, his tone mocking. "And does he love you back, Katherine? Or are you just fooling yourself?"

I swallowed hard, steeling myself. "He does," I lied. Or maybe I didn't. Maybe I just wanted Caleb to believe it, to stop his games. "So, you need to stay the hell away from us."

His dark chuckle sent a chill down my spine. "Stay away?" he echoed. "Oh, Katherine, you really don't understand how this works."

I frowned, unease pooling in my stomach. "What do you mean?"

He took a step closer, "Just because you're not on my side anymore doesn't mean I can't get what I want. You're not his personal assistant anymore, but you're not the only one who can be useful."

Rebecca's name shot through my mind like a lightning bolt, dread tightening my chest.

"Oh my God, Caleb," I whispered, "Stop this. Haven't we done enough? I won't let you destroy him this time. I won't let you."

"We'll see," he said simply, his tone as cold as ice.

I took a step back, my pulse racing. "Stay away from us," I said firmly, "This is your final warning, Caleb."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and bolted down the hall, my heart hammering. I needed to find Ashton. Now. Caleb wasn't just a threat—he was a ticking bomb, and I wouldn't let him take Ashton down. Not again.

And that's how I ended up seeing him with the very woman I wanted to warn him about.

By now, the tears were falling uncontrollably. The cold air bit at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the ache spreading in my chest.

Honestly, I can't even remember what it feels like to not feel broken anymore.

The worst part? I really thought he was healing me, piecing me back together. After everything we went through, I really thought he had restored my belief in loving again. But no—he shattered me even more.

"Sweetheart," Alex's low soft voice broke through my haze, his footsteps getting near.

I didn't look up. I couldn't. I bowed my head further, letting my hair curtain my face, not wanting him to see me like this.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his tone laced with worry. "Are you...are you crying?"

I stayed silent, trying to hide the tears, but Alex wasn't one to be brushed off. He crouched down in front of me, gently tilting my chin up with his hand. His eyes scanned my face, his brows furrowing at the sight of my tear-streaked cheeks.

"I can't do this anymore."

My voice trembled as another tear slid down my cheek.

"I thought I could go on with this fake marriage, but...I can't. I just can't."

The image of him kissing her scorched my mind, blurring my vision.

"Why?" Alex's eyes softened as he watched me crumble.

"Because..." I closed my eyes, grasping for composure. "Because I'm in love with him, Alex. I'm in love with my husband."

And the fucked-up part? Even though I could feel my heart shattering into a thousand pieces, I knew—I knew—I'd still love the same man who broke it.