Though Catherine hated to admit it, her eyes were sore from looking at the computer screen. She closed the laptop and called for a servant to bring her a cold compress for her stinging eyes and throbbing forehead. The servant returned several minutes later with a washcloth soaked in lavender water, and Catherine placed the cool cloth over her eyes and stretched out on the sofa.

"You have a guest, Mrs. Blair," the servant said. "But I'll tell her you're resting."

​​

Catherine sat bolt upright, and the wet cloth slid off her face and landed with a plop on her lap. "A guest? she asked. "Who?"

"It's a young woman named Sophia Wells," the servant said. "She claims she's an old friend."

"Sophia?" Catherine asked, bewildered. "Let her in right away."

She stood from the sofa and listened nervously to the footsteps on the stairs. The door swung open, and Sophia walked into the room, wearing a floral dress and strappy sandals. Her curly, honey blonde hair hung loose down her back. Her face broke into a wide smile, and she ran forward and threw her arms around Catherine. Surprised, Catherine staggered back but quickly returned her friend's warm greeting.

"I talked to Maria the other day," Sophia said. "She said you came to visit her, and she seemed worried about you. I thought I'd come and see for myself."

"Listen, Sophia," Catherine said. "I need to apologize for everything in the past. I know we talked on the phone but—"

Sophia interrupted her with a wave of her hand, "Forget about it. It's all in the past now. And Maria told me what you did for her. Nice emeralds, by the way."

Catherine felt herself blush, and she gestured to the sofa. Sophia sat down, untied her sandals, and tucked her legs beneath her as if she were at home. Catherine sank down beside her. Sitting on a sofa and talking with Sophia felt like old times, but so much had changed.

"Don't take this the wrong way," Sophia said. "But you look really bad, Cathy. Are things okay with Sean?"

Catherine sighed and shook her head, "Honestly, they're not great."

"What's wrong?" Sophia asked immediately. "Oh my God, are you still talking to that Marco guy? I heard the craziest rumors about your wedding day."

"They're probably true," Catherine said with a sad shake of her head. "But no, I'm not talking to Marco anymore. He's an asshole."

"Then what's the problem?" Sophia asked.

"My husband is a stranger," Catherine answered honestly. "It's impossible to talk to him, and his moods are so strange. He's jealous and controlling and constantly angry about things I don't understand."

Sophia's freckled forehead creased, "What do you mean?"

"Like today, for example," she said. "He found out that I want to go to a university and study fashion design. He seemed kind of supportive at first, but then he suddenly turned angry and stormed out of the room."

"That is weird," Sophia said.

"I wish he would just tell me what the problem is," Catherine continued. "It's not like Queen Mary is far away or embarrassing to him in any way."

"Wait, Queen Mary?" Sophia asked.

"Yeah, what about it?" Catherine replied.

"Haven't you heard the gossip?" Sophia asked. "Everyone is saying that instead of going abroad, Marco is going to go to Queen Mary."

Catherine's blood ran cold, "What?"

"It's what I've heard," Sophia said with a shrug. "If Sean's as jealous as you say, maybe he's worried that you'll see Marco there. Or maybe he thinks you're doing it on purpose to spend time with Marco."

Catherine frowned and chewed her lip. "That's ridiculous," she finally said.

"People say women are dramatic in love, but men are so much worse," Sophia said with a laugh.

Catherine stared in confusion at her friend, "But he doesn't love me."

"What do you mean?" Sophia asked. "A man like Sean could have almost any woman he wants—he could be living the life of a playboy, partying on yachts surrounded by swimsuit models. If he married you, he must have had a reason."

"Oh, he had a reason, alright," Catherine muttered. "I was part of a business deal."

"You mean the investment he's making in your dad's company?" Sophia asked, rolling her eyes. "No offense, but he's not exactly getting anything out of that. He did it for you."

"But why?" Catherine asked. "I'm nineteen, and I have a bad reputation. I'm uneducated, and I've never worked a day in my life. Before he married me, I'd barely spoken to him. What could he possibly want?"

Sophia pursed her lips in thought. Her face brightened, and she said, "Maybe he has some sort of fetish? For young, innocent women?"

"I don't—" Catherine began.

"How's the marriage bed?" Sophia asked with a giggle. "That alone should tell you plenty."

"We haven't done anything," she said, feeling her face turn bright red.

"You haven't slept with him?" Sophia asked disbelief etched across her face.

"No," Catherine said, feeling lame. "I had my period."

"Well, you should do it," Sophia said. "The sooner, the better. You know, everyone says that the best way to soften a man's heart is to get him hard and then—"

"Ew, don't be gross about it, Soph," Catherine said with a laugh.

Sophia giggled and shook her head, "Okay, okay. All I'm saying is maybe it won't be so awful to be his wife—he's not exactly bad looking, you know."

"No, he's not," Catherine agreed. "But his tempers are impossible."

"He just needs time to trust you," Sophia said. "And I know you want to go to Queen Mary, but I think you should find another uni. It's not a big deal in the long run, and it might help him to trust you."

"I guess," Catherine said. "Where are you going, by the way? I saw you got into Kings."

Sophia smiled sadly, "I did, but the tuition is too high."

Catherine frowned. She'd lost track of Sophia in her last life and had only seen her once while she was in prison. Though Sophia had always been bright and friendly, her father had refused to pay her tuition, and she hadn't been able to study for a degree. She hadn't lived a bad life, but she could have had so much more.

"I might be able to work something out with your dad," Catherine said.

"I wish you could," Sophia said sadly. "But it's okay. I actually have a job interview in an hour, though. Wish me luck!"

Sophia stood and slipped her sandals back on, tying the straps in messy bows at her ankles. She slung her purse over her shoulder and opened her arms to give Catherine another hug. Catherine hugged her friend, making a mental promise to help her have a better life.

"Listen, call or text me if you need anything," Sophia said. "And think about what I've told you. You've always been impulsive, Cathy, and you have a temper of your own. That was fine before, but I don't think it'll be great for your marriage."

"When did you get so wise?" Catherine joked.

"School of life," Sophia said with a laugh. "See you!"

The door swung shut behind Sophia, and Catherine sank down onto the couch, feeling more alone than before. Though Sophia had her own problems, Catherine found herself envying her friend. At least she could move about freely.

***

Sean glanced out the study window, watching Sophia trot down the long path towards her dented, dusty car. A knock sounded at the door, and Levi entered.

"Miss Wells has left the estate," Levi announced.

"I know," Sean said.

"And it's almost time to leave for your meeting," Levi added.

"I know," Sean said. "And Catherine?"

"I've given the orders," Levi said. "The staff will keep an eye on her while you're gone."

"Good," Sean said as he stood. "And as for Marco, I've been thinking. I want to send him to Tanzania."

"To Tanzania, sir?" Levi asked.

"You heard me," Sean said.

"I'll arrange it right away," Levi said.

"One more thing," Sean added. "Catherine can't know about it."

***

Catherine spent the early afternoon wandering through the house, bored out of her mind. She opened and shut doors, examined the paintings in each room, and wandered up and down the halls. As she passed the living room, the main house phone began to ring. She peeked into the dim living room and watched as Sarah rushed to answer it.

"Oh, good afternoon, ma'am," Sarah said. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Blair isn't at home."

Sarah paused, and her face paled as she listened to the person on the other end. "Yes, Mrs. Blair is home, but I'm afraid she's unavailable."

Catherine tiptoed into the room and gestured for Sarah to pass her the phone. Sarah's eyes widened, and she shook her head no. Catherine repeated the gesture, and Sarah's head shakes became even more frantic. She lowered the phone from her ear and mouthed a few words at Catherine.

The phone crackled, and a commanding, furious voice shouted, "How dare you people keep her from me. If I say I want to speak to my daughter-in-law, you must put her on the phone."

"It's fine," Catherine whispered. "I'll deal with it."

Looking panicked and confused, Sarah reluctantly offered Catherine the phone. Catherine took it and pressed it to her ear.

"Good afternoon, this is Catherine," she said. "May I ask who's calling?"

"Sean's mother," the voice snapped. "My name is Vivian, but you'll refer to me as Mrs. Blair."

"Yes, Mrs. Blair," Catherine said, rolling her eyes. "What can I help you with?"

"I want to know why you've refused to come to visit us," Vivian said. "It's insulting and rude, and I won't have some chit of a girl treating us this way."

"I—" Catherine began.

"Don't interrupt," Vivian snapped. "I've been trying to get in touch with you, but Sean refuses. If my son ends up and married some silly little nineteen-year-old, I'm entitled to see her for myself. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Catherine said. "Sean told me this morning that we'll have dinner with you tonight."

"Hmph," Vivian said. "I want to see you by yourself, without my son interfering. You will come to dinner early so I can speak to you."

"Yes, ma'am," Catherine said, mentally preparing herself for the battle to come.

"I'll send a car for you at 5:00 PM sharp," Vivian said.

"That's alright," Catherine replied. "I'll go on my own."

"That was not an offer," Vivian said. "You will come in the car I send."

"Okay," Catherine said weakly.

The line went dead, and she placed the heavy phone back on the receiver. Sarah watched her anxiously.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Blair," Sarah said. "Mr. Blair told me to keep his mother from bothering you, but I'm afraid I messed up."

"It's alright, Sarah," she said. "I suppose it's time I get to know my mother-in-law."