♣ CHAPTER 15 ♣
Kate walked into her room like a wandering Jew,who had lost her way in the wilderness.
Kate didn't sleep much that night.
She kept hearing his voice. "Then stay."
She picked up her phone and dial her friend's number, Tina. The line rings once, twice her friend picked up.
"Hey…! What's up….you called this late, what happened?" Her friend speaks.
" Just going through a lot lately." She answered. "William just shared the saddest secret of his past to me."
"What…?"
"I now understand the reason why he's cold…"
" Great…I think you guys are getting along." Tina chipped in.
"No we are not on the same terms,I can see through his soft spot, but he's acting distant." Kate explained.
"Well ,maybe you can get through him and change him."
" I'll try."
" Okay… but don't forget the opening event. It's tomorrow." Tina explained again.
"I won't…I'll dress like I own the place." She giggled and ended the call.
" Hmph!" She sighs.
Those two words William had said,had wrapped around her like a blanket, warm but confusing. She didn't know what else to do anymore.
She sat at the edge of the bed, staring out the window. Morning light had started to crawl across the sky. The room felt quiet, but not empty. Not anymore.
She turned when the door opened. William stepped in. His Shirt half-buttoned. His Hair still damp.
"You didn't sleep," he said.
"No," Kate replied. "Too much on my mind."
He nodded and Walked past her, he picked up his watch from the table.
"About last night—"
"I'm not asking for an explanation," Kate cut in. "You said what you said. I heard you."
He looked at her. "And?"
"I stayed," she said. "That should tell you enough."
There was a long Silence again. But this time, it didn't hurt. It just lingered.
William sat down beside her. Close, but not too close.
"You've changed," he said.
Kate turned to him. "No. You're just finally seeing me."
He gave a small nod.
Kate stood. "I'm going to the office today."
"Need a ride?"
"I can manage."
William's brow lifted. "That's not what I asked."
Kate hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. But no awkward silence in the car."
"Deal."
—
They sat in the backseat of his car. The silence wasn't awkward. Just… full.
William glanced at her. "You've been looking into those foreign transactions, haven't you?"
Kate looked out the window. "Yes."
"You should've told me."
"You would've told me to stay away."
"I still think it's dangerous."
"I don't care," Kate said. "This is my family's company. I'm not just going to stand by while people ruin it."
"You're starting to sound like me," William said.
Kate smiled faintly. "Maybe I am."
He watched her for a moment. "That's not a bad thing."
They didn't speak after that. They just focused on their journey to their company.
—
Later that night, Kate stepped into the kitchen and found William already there. He was pouring wine. Two glasses.
"You drink now?" she asked.
"Sometimes."
He held one out to her. She took it.
They sat by the kitchen island. They are just sipping their wine.
"Why are you being nice to me?" she asked suddenly.
William raised a brow. "You want me to stop?"
"No. I just want to know what's changed."
He was quiet for a moment. Then, "You didn't run. Even when I tried to make you."
Kate looked at her wine. "You're still holding back."
"And you're still pushing," he said.
"Because I believe there's more to you."
He didn't deny it.
After a while, he stood. "Come on."
"Where?"
"Just… come."
She followed him upstairs, to the study. He opened the drawer and pulled out a small photo. He Handed it to her.
Kate looked down. It was him. He looked Younger and Smiling. Next to him was a girl with big eyes and the same dark hair.
"Sophia?" she asked.
He nodded. "She was the last person I let in. Until you."
Kate's heart slowed.
He stepped closer. "Don't make me regret it."
She looked up at him. "I won't."
Kate handed the photo back to him, slowly. Her fingers brushed his. He didn't pull away.
"You loved her," she said.
"Yes," William replied. "And I failed her."
Kate stepped back. "What happened?"
"I was too focused on building everything. The company. The power. I kept thinking there'd be time. But then… there wasn't." He turned away. "One night, she called. I ignored it. I Thought I'd call her back later. But She was gone before I did."
Kate's chest ached. "William…"
"She wasn't just my sister," he said, his voice low. "She was my only family. And I didn't protect her."
Kate's voice shook. "You blame yourself."
"I should've answered."
"You punish yourself. Every day."
William turned to face her again. His eyes held something raw. "That's why I don't let anyone in. Because I destroy what I try to protect."
"I'm not her," Kate said.
"I know."
"Then stop acting like I'll break if you get close."
He said nothing.
Kate stepped forward. "I don't want to be just your responsibility. Or your pawn. Or your business arrangement. I want more."
He stared at her. "I don't know if I can give more."
"You already are," she whispered. "You just don't see it."
William's jaw clenched. "You have no idea what it's like carrying guilt like this."
"And you have no idea what it's like fighting for something you never wanted but have to protect anyway." She stepped closer. "You think you're the only one who's tired, Angry and Afraid?"
"I didn't say that."
"You don't have to," she snapped. "You wear it like armor."
William looked at her. "Why are you still here?"
"Because I see something in you," Kate said. "And maybe I'm stupid. Maybe I'm stubborn. But I won't walk away."
He moved, quick and sudden. His hand cupped her face. "You should."
"But I won't."
Their eyes locked.
He let out a sharp breath. "You're driving me insane."
Kate's lips tilted. "Good."
He dropped his hand. "You don't understand the things I've done. The people I've crushed. I don't play fair, Kate."
"I'm not asking for fair," she whispered. "I'm asking for real."
He stared at her. "And if I can't be what you need?"
She took a step even closer, now toe-to-toe. "Then let me decide that."
He grabbed her hand. Firm. But gentle.
"I don't want to hurt you," he said.
"Then stop running," she whispered.
There was a long pause. Then a knock.
William stepped back instantly. Mask slipping back on. "Come in."
One of the house staff poked in. "Sir. There's a call from Mr. Barlow. He said it's urgent."
William nodded. "Tell him I'll call back."
The man left.
Kate crossed her arms. "Back to business mode?"
"I can't afford distractions."
"You think I'm a distraction?"
His eyes darkened. "You're becoming something I don't know how to handle."
Kate moved to the door. "Then learn."
She didn't slam the door. She didn't yell. But the weight in her voice cut deeper than a scream.
—
Later that night, she stood in her room, staring at the mirror. Her reflection didn't look the same anymore. She wasn't the girl who walked into that contract with fear and anger.
She was becoming someone else.
A knock at her door.
She didn't answer.
The door creaked open anyway.
"Kate," William's voice came. Low and Careful.
She didn't turn. "What do you want?"
"To talk."
"Now you want to talk?"
"Yes."
She turned slowly. "I'm not going to beg for attention. Or for whatever this is between us."
"I'm not asking you to," he said. He took a breath. "I don't know how to do this. Any of it. But I'm trying."
Kate swallowed. "Trying isn't enough. Not when you keep pushing me away every time it gets hard."
"I'm used to control. Predictability. You ruined that, the moment you walked into my life."
"And you ruined my life the moment you dragged me into yours."
They stared at each other.
Then William said softly, "We're not strangers anymore, are we?"
Kate shook her head. "No. We're not."
His voice dropped. "And that scares me more than anything."
She stepped forward. "It scares me too."
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "But you're still here."
"I'm still here."