A sharp ringing flooded my ears as I went temporarily deaf. Her mouth moved again, but I couldn’t hear it. But the universe was never on my side.
I got my hearing back.
"At first, I couldn’t discern the eyes he gave from a distance, the quiet glances, and the way he cups my cheeks. I wanted to be a mother, but he never wanted one."
"S-Stop..."
"Catherine..."
I moved my teary eyes to her. "Stop. Talking."
"You didn’t know, did you? I really thought you did. Forgive , I shouldn’t have then, it’s hard enough as it is. It’s hard that we were that way. We were both adults, but it didn’t erase the feeling that I had taken advantage of him. He truly loved , and I did too; that alone was all that mattered..." She peered at through her lashes. "But then everything changed when Adrian ca into the picture."
I couldn’t feel any inch of my body. I have never sat so still before in my entire life, and even though she had just delivered a bone-crushing reveal, I just felt numb.
Agatha cried silently, using her handkerchief to dry her tears.
"I love my son no matter what. I’d do anything to protect him. I’m sure one day, when you have a child of your own, you’ll understand ."
She released a breath. "Forgive , I know it must be heartbreaking hearing this from , but I assure you this is nothing but the truth."
"Truth..." I found my voice, and it ca off like a re whisper.
"Yes, Catherine. The truth Ares doesn’t want you to know. Does he pull away when you try to touch him?"
My stomach dropped, and I fixed her with a pointed stare.
A sad smile crept on her lips. "He never welcos anyone except . He always said those words to ."
I can’t breathe. Even as I sat so still, I think my lungs were failing.
"Sooner or later, he will co back. He always cos back. I’m torn most of the ti, sick that I allowed this to go on for so long, but in the end, I accept him. It makes look weak, doesn’t it?"
Agatha looked at in hope that I would reply, but I didn’t, so she continued with her poisonous words.
"Ares has this charm... that no matter how twisted he is, you succumb. You’re a victim too, aren’t you?"
I pushed to my feet, but she stopped , grabbing my arm.
"You must promise , Catherine.... promise you won’t tell him about what I have told you..." She heaved, forcing herself to say the next words. "If he found out... then he would..." Fear gripped her eyes before she whispered. "My son will be in danger. Adrian may be his, but even that is insignificant to him."
I yanked my hand away from her hold, turned on my heels, and left. As I neared Reed and Nico waiting, they spoke to , but I couldn’t hear them.
I didn’t halt my steps even as Tori stood to her feet to follow . She blocked when I didn’t answer, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I refuse to believe everything Agatha said. But why does the puzzle fit so well?
"Cat!"
Tori’s words snapped out of my head, and everything else ca back to life.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes..." I replied.
"O...kay? What did she tell you? You look so..."
"She was just being a bitch again. You were right, I should have avoided her."
"Seriously?" She looked behind. "That woman needs to get her head checked in a hospital or sothing."
"You should get ho and rest. It’s been a really long night."
"Co on, Cat."
"I don’t wanna stress you anymore, okay? Go ho, shower, and get so sleep. Everything’s gonna be fine."
She sighed before smiling. "Alright... and you too, okay? You need a phone so that I can reach you."
"Sure! I’ll stop by the store and get a new one."
"Good."
As I watched her go, my smile faded away, feeling like a heavy weight over .
"I need to take sothing from my room."
I didn’t wait for their reply as I walked back, my entire body feeling like it would crush.
It was a miracle I made it to the room, rushing to the bathroom as nausea built, but when I got to the toilet, nothing ca out; all I could do was wheeze and try to sohow stop my insides from falling apart.
Get fucking grip of yourself, Catherine. Get a fucking—! A sob wrecked from as I pushed myself to stand, leaving the bathroom. I froze when I saw Reed.
"You’re not okay," he said.
"I thought I was pretty convincing there. I have always been wearing a mask, ever since I beca Mrs. King."
"I know... but you never stopped being yourself. You’re still the confident woman I t. Free, funny, and beautiful."
My bottom lip trembled, and my entire body too. I could tell he wanted to co to , but he didn’t.
"When I-I look in the mirror, I don’t even know who I am anymore..." I cried, looking up so that the tears wouldn’t fall that much, but that was just an excuse for him not to see my pathetic tears.
I felt his arms wrap around in the blink of an eye as I broke down in tears. Reed doesn’t question or ask what happened and I’m glad he didn’t.
~☆~
The doors opened, and I walked out of the elevator. As I reached the living room, I found an empty bottle of vodka on the kitchen counter.
I veered my gaze and found Ares, sitting on the sofa, in the middle of filling up his rocks glass. He pushed to his feet, and my heart dropped when I saw his white shirt was stained.
Blood.
He didn’t look like he was in pain or anything, which ans it wasn’t his.
"W-Who’s blood is that?" I asked, my tone shaky.
When I got no reply, I snapped my eyes to his icy blues; his hair was ssy, falling on his forehead in straight strands. He slowly brought the glass to his lips and sipped.
"We need to talk..." I began faintly, trying to ignore the elephant in the room.
"Talk..." He tasted the word on his lips, and I could discern his foul tone.
"Yes, talk. About Ag—"
"You broke the special clause. Number one."
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