Chapter 2
Nicholas froze.
For a moment he just stared at her, as if he hadn’t understood what she’d said.
What did she mean, it wouldn’t matter?
He studied her face carefully, trying to find some sign of forced composure, some trace of hidden hurt, some crack in the surface.
There was nothing.
Her gaze was still and deep, like an old well with no visible bottom. The calm in it unsettled him more than anger ever could.
His voice dropped. “You’re still upset about what happened before, aren’t you? You still blame me.”
Katherine cut him off before he could continue.
“I don’t blame you.”
Her voice was soft, but the clarity of it made him go silent.
“I truly don’t care anymore,” she said. “And besides, isn’t this exactly what you always wanted?”
Nicholas frowned.
Katherine looked at him quietly, her eyes clear and almost unbearably gentle.
“You always told me Samantha had no one to rely on but you, so when you brought her into the house, you told me not to mind it. When she was in a bad mood and you stayed with her all night instead of coming home, you told me not to mind it. When she liked my bracelet, my earrings, my things, you asked me to give them to her and told me not to mind it. Now I’m finally doing exactly what you wanted. I’m not minding any of it anymore.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“So why do you look unhappy?”
Nicholas had no answer.
His throat moved, but no words came out.