Chapter 82
Chapter 82: “Kristopher, what has caught your attention?”’ Cathy asked, noticing Kristopher’s preoccupied expression. She leaned in closer, a crease forming between her brows. “You were constantly on your phone back at the restaurant. Is there a problem at the company?”’ As she talked, her eyes briefly darted to Kristopher’s phone screen. Snapped out of his thoughts, Kristopher quickly locked his phone. “Yes, it’s Marc. He’s keeping me informed about some urgent work matters.”’ Cathy lowered her gaze, her tone soft yet composed. “I understand. You always push yourself too hard, Kristopher.”’ She turned away to gaze out the car window. Away from Kristopher’s view, her eyes became cold. Before Kristopher locked his phone, she had seen the screen. It was a conversation with Belinda! That explained his distraction all evening. It had to be Belinda, attempting to ensnare him once more! Cathy had suspected all along that Belinda would not let go of Kristopher so easily. As the car pulled up to the Miller family’s villa, Cathy perked up and smiled, opening the car door. “Look, the lights are still on; my parents haven’t retired yet. Why don’t you come in for a bit?”’ Kristopher checked the extravagant watch encircling his wrist. “It’s getting late. Maybe next time.”’ “Alright then.”’ Cathy offered a smile that carried a trace of understanding, murmured her farewells, and stepped out of the car. Ï ð’©ð’ð’ð’ð’ð’ “Sir, where shall we go?”’ the driver, speaking in hushed tones from the front seat, inquired. “To the office, or your house?”’ Kristopher, slumped against the plush leather of the backseat, his brow furrowed as he watched Cathy disappear into the distance, replied curtly, “Home.”’ The driver paused, uncertainty in his voice. “Which home, sir?”’ Kristopher turned, his gaze icy as it met the driver’s. “How many homes do you suppose I have?”’ Intimidated, the driver quickly turned the vehicle around and set off for Kristopher’s usual residence. Meanwhile, inside the grandeur of the Miller family villa, Cathy stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the dwindling taillights of Kristopher’s car. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides. “Cathy.”’ Evelyn approached, offering a cup of steaming tea, and stood next to her. Both women stared in the direction Kristopher had taken. “Where could Kristopher be heading at this hour? Both the Cox Group and the Cox family house are to the east.”’ Cathy’s expression darkened as she accepted the tea, her tone losing its usual softness. “He’s headed west, towards the house he shared with Belinda.”’ Evelyn expressed her surprise. “But didn’t you mention that Belinda had moved out quite some time ago?”’ “Yes,”’ Cathy confirmed, her eyes narrowing, her voice turning frosty. “It seems I’ve underestimated how significant Belinda still is to him.”’ Belinda had indeed moved out a while back. If he was visiting that house so late, what memories was he chasing after? Evelyn gently patted her shoulder, offering comfort. “Kristopher was married to her for three years. It’s not something he can just shake off.”’ Cathy narrowed her eyes but remained silent. They lingered by the floor-to-ceiling window a bit longer before Evelyn sighed deeply and stole a glance at her daughter. “Tomorrow, I’m thinking of visiting Joyce with your grandmother. It’s been three years, hasn’t it? Would you like to join us?”’ At the mention of Joyce, Cathy’s expression turned cold. She violently slammed her cup, still brimming with warm tea, onto the floor. “That explains why you were up late waiting for me. Just for this.”’ She lifted her head, her eyes frosty as she fixed her gaze on Evelyn. “Joyce is your daughter. If you want to see her, go by yourself. Don’t pull me into it!”’ A hint of embarrassment flickered across Evelyn’s face. Her expression grew somber. “Cathy, regardless, Joyce is still your sister”¦”’ Cathy let out a derisive laugh and turned away. “The only siblings I acknowledge are those you had with my father. Your child with that other man is nothing to me. Stop talking about that invalid. It sickens me!”’ As her daughter strode away, Evelyn stood frozen, tears forming in her eyes. “Cathy”¦ you used to be different.”’ Before the accident five years earlier, Joyce and Cathy were inseparable. Joyce would share everything with Cathy, from new friendships to the number of milk teas they enjoyed together. However, following the accident and Cathy’s subsequent relationship with Kristopher, everything had shifted”¦…