Chapter 3 They Caught Her

Kathryn froze in place.

What was this mess supposed to mean? So Edwin wasn't even her biological father? Strangely enough, that realization felt like a weight lifting off her chest.

Vicki slowly unraveled the truth. "In those days, your mother was completely taken with your real father. He refused marriage outright, so she made a reckless choice-forced a one night with him, then vanished and carried you in secrecy."

"Wait-are you saying my mom basically trapped my dad into it?" Kathryn blurted out, her voice wobbling. An odd mix of shock and inherited audacity crept through her.

Vicki hesitated, and then sighed. "In blunt terms... yes. But he never knew it was her. For over twenty years, he's been searching for the woman who disappeared after that night."

"So she staged her death again and went into hiding?"

Once the full picture settled in, Kathryn was left with a storm of conflicting feelings. To avoid arousing her biological father's suspicions, she followed her mother's plan-attending the cremation and sitting through every step as if it were genuine.

When it was finally over, she prioritized her own safety. If Nathan traced her, she would be cornered.

There was no time to linger. She issued swift instructions to Vicki, grabbed her passport, and headed straight for the airport.

She passed smoothly through the VIP channel, scanned her ticket, and walked toward the boarding gate.

"Kathryn Pearson!"

A voice sharp as frost sliced through the space behind her, sending a chill up her spine.

That voice... she knew it.

The person's reflection in the glass wall sharpened, revealing a tall, imposing silhouette closing in.

The instant she tried to flee, men in black suits surged forward, sealing off every escape.

"Turn around," Nathan commanded, his tone coiled with restrained fury.

Nathan-twenty-nine, heir to one of Baxwell's most formidable families. Brilliant, merciless, and the city's most coveted bachelor.

He stopped directly behind her. When she refused to face him, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur.

"You're the first woman who's ever dared do that to me."

Kathryn's heart skipped violently. Memories from the night before crashed back, heat rushing to her ears until they burned.

Left with no choice, she turned slowly and forced a casual grin.

"Well, Nathan. Small world, huh?"

Nathan's expression darkened further, fists tightening at his sides. "Don't even think about running. You're coming with me."

She muttered under her breath, "Tch. Take away your bodyguards and see if you'd still sound so confident."

Even so, she followed him, trailing behind like a chastened child who knew resistance would only make things worse.

Vince Graham, the aide nearby, caught her offhand greeting and the teasing lilt she used with Nathan, and despite himself, admiration flickered for her sheer nerve.

Onlookers stared as the notoriously distant Nathan escorted a stunning woman away, murmurs rippling through the crowd at once.

"So the crown jewel of the elite has been claimed-there'll be tears from the social set tonight."

"Seriously, did you see his expression? Like he wanted to rip her apart. That's not romance-she definitely crossed him."

"I heard she's Kathryn Pearson. Supposedly her mother died in a traffic accident, and rumors say the woman was unfaithful and paid for it."

...

Inside the polished black sedan, Kathryn watched the man beside her cautiously, the pressure of his simmering anger almost visible.

Without a word, a blade snapped toward her. She moved on instinct, locking onto the wrist that wielded it.

"Homicide isn't a joke. Are you really ready to ruin your life over me? Think twice."

Fire flared in Nathan's eyes, her steady voice only stoking it further as he forced the knife down with savage intent.

"Oh? Then maybe I'll end you and let the ocean take care of the rest."

The menace in his tone sent a shiver through her. She sensed his strength outweighed hers. Unease crept in, and she abruptly shifted gears, adopting reckless bravado.

"So what if I slept with you? If that's the problem, sleep with me again and call it even."

Vince, at the wheel, nearly lost his soul at her words. His foot slammed the brake, and the car skidded to a jarring halt.

The impact pitched them forward. The blade slipped, its edge scoring Kathryn's skin as a thin streak of red bloomed.

Her eyes hardened. Seizing the instant Nathan faltered, she ripped the knife free and flung it into the front seat.

It hit with a dull smack. Vince gaped at them through the mirror, voice trembling. "I-I'm sorry... I braked too hard."

Kathryn spared him a brief look, took the adhesive bandage he shakily offered, and then leveled a glacial stare back at Nathan.

Nathan met her unyielding gaze, memories crashing in-the desperation there last night, followed by her shameless provocation now. His expression darkened further.

This woman truly knew no restraint.

He wrenched his eyes away. If he kept looking, he might actually snap and end her.

Only then did Kathryn inch toward the door, heart racing. Escape wasn't possible yet-she'd have to wait, adapt, and survive moment by moment.