Chapter 8 Willow Whispers

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Katherine let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the last two unpacked boxes settling on her shoulders like an invisible burden. The stark white interior of her new apartment, a stark contrast to the cozy, colorful cottage she'd left behind, felt cold and impersonal.

It had only been three days in Willow Haven, and already the city felt like an alien landscape. Not that she was particularly attached to places; her life after her divorce had been a constant cycle of moving, a nomadic existence that had become her comfort zone. But this time, it felt different.

Her mind drifted back to her childhood home, the place she'd yearned to escape from for as long as she could remember. The memories were a tangled web of neglect, constant criticism from her mother, and the bitter hatred that simmered between her and Caroline.

Ironically, the place she should have felt safe, had become a prison. She closed her eyes, picturing the peeling paint, the dusty old furniture, and the air thick with unspoken tension. Her childhood home, not so far from here, if she remembered correctly.

"God, I need a drink," she muttered, the words a tired sigh escaping her lips. Not the bland, earthy tea that Hailey swore was good for her skin, but something strong, something to numb the gnawing sense of unease that had settled in her gut.

"If I was a smoker like Caroline," she thought, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips, "I'd be halfway through a pack by now. Maybe two." The thought conjured up a phantom taste of smoke, a lingering reminder of Caroline's rebellious teenage years.

The clink of her wine glass against the countertop brought her back to the present. She poured a generous measure of the deep red liquid, the scent of Merlot filling the air. It was a welcome distraction, a temporary escape from the weight of her thoughts.

Her phone buzzed, the notification a jarring interruption to her silent contemplation. It was a text from Hailey, who had left earlier for groceries.

"Uhh...kat? I think we're being stalked."

The message was followed by two link attachments.

Katherine frowned, "What do you mean stalked?" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.

She clicked the first link, the blog titled "Willow Whispers." The post, titled "Welcome Back, Katherine," was accompanied by a photo of her leaving a small cafe with a coffee and a box of donuts.

"Dear Willow," it read, the words dripping with a blend of maliciousness and amusement. "It looks like the tall, dark and handsome heart-throb billionaire and CEO of Mikaelson Robotics and Mikaelson Pharmaceuticals, Castiel Mikaelson's ex-wife is back in town after years of being MIA.

To tell the newest bride (who's her identical twin sister btw) congrats maybe? Or to crash the wedding, perhaps?

Sweet Willow, I won't lie. If it's the second option I'm here for the drama. I love this town, but I love drama even more."

The photo, taken from a distance, was clearly snapped without her knowledge. She couldn't help but feel a prickle of unease, a sense of violation. It was posted an hour ago and had already racked up two thousand views and five hundred comments.

Katherine closed the blog, the bile rising in her throat. "This is insane," she muttered, her voice heavy with a mixture of anger and despair even though she had expected this would happen.

She clicked on the second link, a website for Mikaelson Robotics. It was an invitation for a masquerade ball, hosted by Castiel's company, a lavish affair scheduled for March 3rd. The date wasn't Castiel's birthday, nor was it hers and Caroline's. It was the birthday of some wealthy acquaintance of Castiel's, someone she didn't even know.

A business partner perhaps?

"Of course he'd throw a party," she thought, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "He loves the grand gestures, the spectacle." She knew Castiel better than anyone. At least she knew the Castiel of her teenage years.

Another text buzzed from Hailey, this time with a single sentence and a wink emoji. "The world knows you're back."

She clicked on the message, a chill running down her spine. "How we make a proper entrance," Hailey had written, the words a mischievous invitation to a game she knew all too well.

Katherine's reply was a simple question, a plea for a bit of clarity. "What are you planning, Hailey?"

But the answer remained elusive, a cruel tease in the silence of her phone screen. Hailey loved to keep her plans close to the vest, especially when they involved a healthy dose of mischief.

She sighed, the glass of wine in her hand suddenly feeling heavy and cold. Whatever Hailey was planning, it was unlikely to be a good idea.

She wasn't ready for this, for the spotlight to be on her again, for the whispers, the rumors, the constant scrutiny. She'd spent years building a new life for herself, a life away from the shadow of Castiel and the turbulence of their past. And now, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she was being pulled back into the flames.

This time, she wouldn't be the victim. She would face her demons, fight for her freedom, reclaim her life even if it meant ruining Caroline's. But first, she had to understand what Hailey was up to.

The phone buzzed again, breaking the silence. It was a photo from Hailey, showing her sprawled on the couch, surrounded by bags of groceries and a half-eaten pizza.

"Just wait until you see, I'm going to be late btw" Hailey's reply came with a mischievous wink.

She wasn't quite ready for this, for the whirlwind of drama that Hailey was always prone to stirring up. But something inside her, a spark of defiance, a glimmer of her old self, urged her to embrace the chaos.

She took a deep breath, the scent of the Merlot swirling around her. Willow Haven was a new start, but it was also a chance to revisit the past, to face her demons, and to reclaim her life. She wasn't sure what Hailey had in store, but she knew that she would be ready for it.

"Alright," she texted back, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "You're the boss, Hails."

She was back in Willow Haven, a place she'd left behind, a place that was both familiar and strange. But this time, she wasn't running away. This time, she was here to stay.

She took a deep breath, the scent of the night air filling her lungs. This was her new beginning, her chance to reclaim her life, to face her demons, and to build a future.

And she had a feeling, a deep, gut feeling, that it was going to be a hell of a ride.