♣ CHAPTER 23 ♣
Upon arrival at the mansion,Kate sat on the edge of her bed, with the phone shaking in her hand.
She dialed Tina's number.
"Tina," she said the moment the call connected. "Someone called me. They Said I should stay away from the files."
Tina's voice sharpened. "Wait…! What? Who?"
"I don't know. It was a deep voice. There was No name. it's Just threats."
"You think it's your uncle?"
Kate stood up. "No. He wouldn't be that bold. This… this sounded like someone else. It sounds like Someone dangerous."
Tina went quiet for a second. "Did you record the call?"
"No. I was too shocked to think."
"Kate," Tina's tone softened. "This is getting out of hand. You need to be careful."
"I am careful," Kate snapped. "But I'm not stepping back."
"I didn't say you should. But maybe… maybe don't do this alone. Maybe William—"
Kate cut in. "William keeps things from me. How do I trust someone who chooses silence every time?"
Tina sighed. "I get it. But he cares. You see it. We all do."
Kate didn't respond.
Tina added, "And if anyone tries to hurt you again, I swear, I'll burn something down."
Kate gave a small chuckle. "Thanks, Tina."
"Anytime."
"Bye!"
Meanwhile, across the city, Gabriella sat in a black SUV, her heels crossed and her sunglasses low. Three men stood around her.
"She's getting too close," Gabriella said coldly.
One man nodded. "You want us to scare her?"
"I want her shaken. I want her looking over her shoulder. I want her to remember who William belongs to."
Another man asked, "What about William?"
Gabriella smiled. "He's blinded. She has him wrapped around her little fingers. But when she stumbles, when everything falls apart, he'll come back."
The first man hesitated. "This could backfire."
Gabriella removed her glasses. "Then don't fail."
They nodded and walked away.
---
Later that night, Kate sat in the living room, her arms folded, and she waited.
William entered, he dropped his keys, and walked past her.
"We need to talk," she said.
He paused, and then turned. "About what?"
"The files. The threats and Everything."
William stared at her. "You're safe, Kate."
"I don't want safety if it comes with secrets."
He moved closer. "I'm doing what I can."
"No. You're doing what you want, not what's right."
His eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me?"
"I want the truth," she snapped. "I want to know why you keep shutting me out."
"Because you're not ready."
Her voice rose. "Stop deciding that for me."
"You think this is a game?" he said. "You think I enjoy watching you walk into danger?"
"I think you're scared," she fired back. "Scared of what I'll find. Or maybe scared of what you feel."
His jaw tightened. "What I feel doesn't matter."
"It matters to me."
There was a long Silence.
They stood inches apart, the air between them got tensed.
Kate whispered, "Tell me I mean nothing. Say it."
William stared into her eyes. Searching for anything, but couldn't find any.
He didn't speak.
Instead, he grabbed her waist,then he pull her close and kissed her.
It was rough. He fumbled her lips, like he was Hungry and craving. The kiss was a Confused one.
Kate froze for a second.
Then she kissed him back. Immediately,she did that,he quickly pulled away.
Kate blinked. "What… what was that?"
William turned his back. "It's…it's…that's not. He stammered.
Kate's voice cracked. "Liar."
He didn't answer.
She stepped forward. "Say it again. Look me in the eyes and say it meant nothing."
He clenched his fists. "We had a deal."
"I'm not talking about the deal."
"Then stop asking questions you won't like the answers to."
She swallowed. "Too late for that."
He left the room without another word.
Kate stood alone, with her heart racing.
---
Kate stood in the middle of the room, staring at the door William just walked through.
Her voice broke the silence. "You're a coward, William."
He stopped but didn't turn.
She stepped forward. "You kiss me like that, then act like nothing happened? What kind of man does that?"
He turned slowly. "You don't understand what you're asking for."
"No, you don't understand what you're doing," she said. "You want to protect me, but from what? The truth? Your past? Your ex? Yourself?"
William's eyes darkened. "This isn't about Gabriella."
"Isn't it?" Kate challenged. "Because every time she walks in, you freeze. You act like I don't exist."
"She was part of my past, Kate."
"She's still trying to be part of your present."
"I told her we're over," he said,his voice firm.
"But you didn't tell her to back off. You didn't shut her down when she came to your office. You didn't stop her when she called me your temporary wife in front of everyone."
William looked away. "I didn't want to create a scene."
"Well, newsflash," Kate said bitterly, "your silence is a scene. And I'm tired of playing a background role in my own life."
He ran a hand through his hair. "This marriage was supposed to be simple."
"Yeah, you made that clear—just one year, no feelings, no mess."
He met her eyes. "And you agreed."
"I agreed before I knew who you really were," she said. "Before I saw the man behind the cold mask. The man who cares more than he wants to admit. The man who—" she hesitated, "—who just kissed me like I was the only woman who ever mattered."
William's voice was low. "That kiss was a mistake."
Kate's heart dropped.
She moved closer. "Say that again."
He stared at her. "It was a mistake."
Her chest rose with a sharp breath. "Then why didn't you stop? Why did you kiss me like you meant it?"
"I lost control."
"No, William," she whispered. "You finally showed real control. Real feelings. But you're too scared to admit that you feel something."
He shook his head. "You don't know the kind of man I am."
"Then tell me," she pleaded. "Tell me everything. Stop hiding behind your past. Stop pushing me away."
He clenched his jaw. "My world is dark, Kate. It's complicated. You don't belong in it."
"Then why did you marry me?"
He paused.
Kate asked again, softer this time. "Why did you marry me?"
"For business," he replied flatly.
She swallowed, hurt creeping into her eyes. "Just business?"
He looked at her, and for a second, the mask cracked.
His voice was barely above a whisper. "It was supposed to be."
She blinked. "So what is it now?"
He didn't answer.
"William…"
He turned away again, his voice rough. "I can't give you what you want."
"I didn't ask for your heart," she said, her voice trembling. "I only asked for honesty. For something real."
William faced her again. "And what if the truth hurts you?"
"Then at least I'll hurt with answers, not confusion."
Finally, William stepped closer, his tone softer. "I don't hate you, Kate."
She blinked. "That's not love."
"It's not nothing either."
She stared up at him. "I need more than halfway feelings, William. I need to know if I'm just someone you tolerate… or someone you're afraid to lose."
He looked at her for a long moment, then said quietly, "I don't want to lose you."
Kate's breath hitched.
"But I will," he added, "if I let this go too far."
"Too far?" she echoed. "You already kissed me. What's farther than that?"
His voice broke. "Feeling something I can't undo."
Kate stepped closer until there was barely space between them. "Then stop pretending. Stop acting like I don't matter. Because I do. I know I do."
William stared at her.
Then, slowly, he lifted his hand to her cheek.
But he didn't kiss her this time.
He just stood there, silently.
Her voice dropped. "Why are you doing this?"
His words were soft. "Because if I give in, I won't be able to stop."
"Then don't stop."
He pulled his hand back. "Goodnight, Kate."
He turned and walked away.
Again.
Kate watched him go, her heart pounding, and her eyes burning.