Catherine's POV

I'm supposed to leave in 10 days to visit Hoseok. I'm nervous because the scars on my back and thighs have not fully healed. I'm able to hide the scalp sutures with my hair, and they're almost dissolved anyway. But the bruises on my face and body have turned a florescent green/yellow color. My neck is another story... The deep bites and scratches are still healing, and I don't know how to hide them except turtlenecks.

Working to hide the bruises on my face, I put makeup on, which I hardly ever wear. Bridget will be here soon to bring me to our meeting with a new client. His daughter is getting married this spring, and they will be the first to use our new facility. We haven't opened it yet, so we're hoping that things go well.

After leaving the hospital, I moved out of my house. I can't stay there. I called my oldest brother and told him it's time to sell it. He doesn't understand why I want to get rid of it so suddenly. I haven't been able to tell him why I just can't live in it anymore. It was the home I was raised in. The place where the memories of my parents are strongest... and Jacob stole that from me also...

I hear a knock on my bedroom door and it brings me back to the present. I holler a 'come in' and turn to see Bridget's Mom approaching. She checks my face, and says I'm doing a good job with the makeup. She takes the blending tool from my hand to help me though. I close my eyes, and let her take over. She gives me a feeling of comfort only a mother can.

"You're really beautiful Catherine."

"Not feeling like it Mom... But thank you."

"Do you know how proud I am of you? You're the strongest girl I know."

"I... I...... You're going to make me cry. Then you'll have to redo the makeup."

"I don't mind. Do you want to eat something before Bridget gets here?"

"I'm not hungry right now Mom."

"mmmhmmm.... You need to take better care Cath. You're getting skinny."

"It's not like I couldn't stand to lose a few pounds... But I'll try to eat something if it makes you happy."

"Nonsense child!! You're perfect, and will stop being so if you lose anymore weight. Your boyfriend will not recognize you if you show up looking like a skeleton."

"I don't know if I should even go..."

"Why wouldn't you?"

"The scars... They're still obvious on my back... And my neck is still really sensitive from the scratches and bruising."

"You haven't told him what happened?"

"I tried Mom... But I couldn't bring myself to do it. What if he doesn't love me anymore? What if he thinks I'm disgusting?"

"Then he's not the man for you! But trust me... He won't think any of that. He'll be glad you're alive."

"I hope you're right. I just don't want him to treat me differently. Is that wrong?"

"No... It's not... I understand Catherine. Just consider how he'll feel if he finds out from someone else..."

Me "......."

"Come on... Let's go eat something. You need your energy for the client meeting."

Bridget's POV

I pull into the driveway of Catherine's home. I'm here to collect some more of her clothes and personal items. The day she left the hospital, she came here just long enough to pack an overnight bag before she completely lost it. I've been coming and making small trips to get things she wants, or needs. Josh thinks we should just get a storage unit and clear everything so none of us need to go there anymore.

I'm packing some of her summer clothes in a box when my phone chimes. Looking I find a text from Ashley asking me to call when I'm free. I call her immediately, putting it on speaker to continue in my task...

*otp*

"Hey. How are you?"

"Alright. Just packing some stuff from Catherine's house. How are you?"

"Well, I'm pretty good. I'm coming to visit tomorrow. I'm not taking no as an answer this time..."

"Geez... Bossy much?"

"It's one of my many charms... But seriously. I'm coming tomorrow. The flight is booked."

"Alright. I'm sure she'll love to see you. What time is your flight landing?"

We talked and made plans for the next day. I'll be glad to have her here. I hurry to finish what I'm doing and grab a duffle bag to clean out the sweater shelf in the closet. Thankfully it's winter, so long sleeves and turtlenecks are normal. Catherine wouldn't leave the house otherwise.

She looks much better than before, but she is still healing. Her neck has some deep wounds from being scratched, choked, and bitten... Her back is still like a roadmap with the slash marks... She's supposed to be going to see Hoseok in a little more than a week and still thinks she can hide things... I don't know how this will all go. Maybe Ashley can help me convince her to talk to him before she goes there and he sees the mess that she actually is...

Halsey's POV

I've been dodging questions about Catherine from Namjoon for a week. I finally decided to go and see for myself how she is. I know she hasn't told Hoseok what happened. I can't fault her, but if she's going to visit them, they're going to notice something I'm sure. Her voice is still not the same. The Dr told her that her vocal chords are bruised. Her voice has caused alot of questions from the guys... That and her refusal to FaceTime or video call...

Jungkook's POV

Hoseok hyung has been talking and texting with Catherine since the day she was unreachable. I heard him talking to RapMon hyung about how he is worried about her. Apparently her voice still sounds different. He's tried to FaceTime with her, but her camera is still "broken". He's way more patient than I am.

She is supposed to be here soon to visit. The plan is 2 weeks here with us. I'm sure she won't be able to hide whatever is going on while she's here. I'm anxious to see her though. I know she's hyung's girlfriend, but I care about her. I talked about things with Yoongi hyung. He agrees that something is off. I just hope it isn't too bad whatever it is.

Hoseok's POV

I can't wait to have Catherine here with me. Jungkook has agreed to let me stay with her in his room. He will room with Jimin. I have been talking with her alot about what she'd like to do while she's here. She doesn't really know, so I'll try to plan some fun things. I'm concerned about her health though. Her voice has changed since her graduation. Her phone still hasn't been fixed either because she's busy with work. I feel like there is something she's hiding, but I don't want to accuse her. I can't wait to cuddle with her.

Catherine's POV

The meeting went well. I'm happy to say that the client seemed impressed by our plans, and the new facility layout. Since they will be our first client there, we are providing the photographers for their function so we can use their pictures in our advertisements. They gladly signed the photo release, which was a huge weight off my mind. I was confident that we could get them to negotiate for some of the photos, maybe not all, but they didn't even care.

Bridget was awesome today. She's really become so confident dealing with the clients. She used to be reserved, but she's stepping up alot more now. Probably because I'm not at my best. I lose my voice easily lately. I'm not supposed to be talking constantly like my job sometimes demands. It's frustrating for me.

Our presentation complete, Bridget and I are heading back to her house when she asks me a question...

"Cath... Don't you think you should tell Hobi what happened to you?"

"....."

"When you get there, don't you think he's going to want to be intimate with you? He'll definitely notice the things you've been hiding..."

"Should I just stay home then?"

"What? That's not what I want you to do. I think you should prepare him by telling him the truth!"

"I'm scared okay?!?! I don't want him to treat me like I'm damaged..."

"But Cath... You ARE damaged... I think you're so strong... So brave... But it's alright to be weak and vulnerable with the people who love you."

"I don't want him to be disgusted by me. What if what happened makes him rethink our relationship?"

"Don't you think you should find that out BEFORE you travel around the world?"

"I don't know... I just don't know B..."

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Thank you to everyone reading!! Love you all!!

STAY SAFE!!

STAY HEALTHY!!

WEAR A MASK!!

**MASKS ARE SEXY!!**