After dinner, Catherine hounded Sean to tell him about what happened at the casino.

Sean told the story quickly in a short manner.

​​

Catherine knew it was dangerous. The casino was big, and Harlan hired so many muscle men. If Brad didn't arrive in time, something bad might happen.

Catherine said, "I shouldn't have left."

"What?"

"We're married and supposed to face danger together. I would look like a coward if I ran in the face of danger every time. I want to be there with you."

"Nice idea. But for me, your safety matters the most."

Sean could care nothing except her.

"You know I am strong and can protect myself. I don't want to stand behind you."

Catherine wanted to stand next to him. So she tried to make herself stronger.

"It's my duty to protect you. Don't think too much. I'm okay."

She'd be worried sick if Sean was in real danger.

"And Sean, Sophia cut off ties with her family. I want to..."

Catherine had to ask for his permission since he was the owner of the mansion.

"You can make the decision."

"Really?"

"You're the co-owner of the place."

"But Sophia might not agree."

"Talk her into it."

As long as having Sophia wouldn't affect him and Catherine, Sean didn't care.

"Sophia will stay on campus. So she'll be here shortly."

Sophia would refuse to depend on others. It would be best to move out. But she didn't have money. So she stayed at the mansion temporarily.

Catherine didn't see Sophia, but she saw Brad in the garden. Sophia was next to him.

Brad was sparing no effort to make Sophia laugh. But Sophia talked little. Most of the time, Brad talked, and she listened. Occasionally, she responded.

Brad took Sophia's lack of passion as encouragement. He told her all the jokes he knew to make her laugh.

Catherine didn't think they were a match. She wondered if Brad always tried so hard with girls.

"What are you looking at?"

"Them."

Sean looked over and said, "He starts again."

"I have to ask Sophia to stay away from him."

Brad would be upset knowing Catherine stopped her from courting her friend.

"Don't worry. Maybe he's just curious about Sophia. His passion would fade in a few days."

"Men like to cheat women with sweet words. I wonder how many innocent girls fall for Brad's lies."

"Don't worry. I won't."

Catherine felt hot in her ears. She wasn't talking about herself.

"Don't worry. Let's go inside."

Catherine thought of Tom and Linda.

Tom was hurt, and Linda was suggestible. What if she got brazen and came to Sophia again.

Catherine thought she had to think of something.

The next day, Sophia left with Maria and Samuel. She decided to stay with them for the time being.

Catherine asked Sophia to stay. But her mind was made up. She didn't want to intrude. Besides, living in the mansion wasn't convenient. Living with Maria would be unconfined.

***

Before Catherine could realize it, it was September.

Catherine was busy getting ready to go to school, over which she had a confrontation with Sean. They almost fought.

Sean wasn't a hothead, and it was hard to fight with him. But he was the king of poker face. One icy look was frightening.

The cause was that Catherine asked to stay on campus, but Sean said no.

Catherine snapped out and said, "What? Can't you sleep without me warming the bed? How did you sleep in the past 25 years?"

Sean was so mad that he turned livid, "You really see me like that? What do you think I am?"

How could she say that? Sean thought.

If Sean needed a woman to warm his bed, Catherine would wait in the line.

Catherine regretted it. Saying that was a humiliation for him as well as for her.

Catherine said so because she felt Sean was being too bossy. Commuting from campus to the mansion was tiring.

Catherine tried to apologize, but Sean stormed out of the door.

"Mrs. Blair, are you not happy?"

Catherine was sitting on the swing in the garden, and Geoffrey saw her. Although Catherine sat in the shade, the sun was blaring, and it was easy to get sun-burnt.

"No."

"I saw Mr. Blair drive out. He didn't seem happy."

Catherine called Sean multiple times. But Sean always hung up.

Catherine could make a compromise, but she didn't know what to say. Then she decided to let it be.

"Mr. Blair is only worried about you."

"What's there to be worried about?"

"Mr. Blair only tries to look out for you."

Catherine thought otherwise. Sean kept a close eye on her, so she couldn't run away. She thought he was not over that she tried to elope once.

"The university is a place to study. Even if I offend others, they would only set up a few traps. It's not a matter of life or death."

Geoffrey didn't say that Sean would not want Catherine to leave because he couldn't live without her. Besides, he got to snuggle her at night.

If Catherine lived on campus, they could only see each other once a week.

***

The next day was the day to report at Kings College. Catherine started packing up. No matter Sean said yes or not, she has made up her mind. It would be easier to go to classes. She wouldn't want to get up early in the morning and rushed to school.

Most of the clothes Sean bought her were expensive dresses. Catherine picked some that looked low profile and then realized she didn't have anything casual to put on.

As a college student, she decided to put on shirts, jeans, and sneakers. But there weren't any in her wardrobe. So she went shopping.

She phoned Sophia, who was about to get a suitcase. So they met up at the mall.

Sean didn't see Catherine when he got back. Geoffrey told him Catherine went out shopping. Sean's look got worse.

How upset would Sean be that Catherine was in the mood to go shopping?

Seeing how furious Sean got, Geoffrey didn't know what to say. Only two days ago, they were so loving, and Geoffrey was jealous of them.