On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 214

Catherine had her hair up in a bun, making her look younger.

“Lance,” she said, walking over to him. “Are you upset about something?”

His cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, his eyes bloodshot. “What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you,” she said, gently cupping his face.

He pushed her hand away. “I’m fine. Go be with Amy.”

Catherine smiled softly. “Helen already took Amy out to play. Amy needs someone to be with her, but so do you. Just because she’s a little sweetie doesn’t mean the big one should be ignored.”

The words were hauntingly familiar.

The wine glass slipped from Lance’s fingers. He looked up at Catherine, and as he stared, her face seemed to blur and transform into Jessica’s. He squinted, trying to focus, then closed his eyes and shook his head hard. When he opened them again, Catherine was still smiling at him.

“I’m here for you now,” she murmured. “What do you want to do?”

In a sudden movement, Lance swept her into his arms and carried her to a nearby sofa. On the wide, black leather, they tangled together.

The moment his lips touched her chest, Catherine’s eyelashes fluttered, and she closed her eyes, pushing all other thoughts from her mind. It didn’t matter if she was pretending to be Jessica. All that mattered was the result. Her mother had taught her that the process was irrelevant; only the outcome mattered. As long as she got what she wanted, who cared how she got it?

Catherine smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Lance, I love you.”

“Ironing this outfit. Amy has her kindergarten parent interview tomorrow. I have to be there.”

“I’m surprised that ungrateful daughter of yours isn’t just having Catherine go.”

Jessica didn’t respond.

Rebecca sat down beside her, watching her iron. “You know, I think you need to start pulling back some of the love you pour into your daughter. She’s been completely won over by Catherine. No matter what you do for her, she’s not going to love you like she used to.”

Jessica pressed her lips together and hung up the freshly ironed clothes. “I brought Amy into this world, and I am responsible for her. I’m her mother. No matter what, I will fulfill my duties to her until she’s eighteen, and even after that, I’ll be there for her.”

Rebecca, who wasn’t married and had no children, couldn’t fully understand. “I don’t get it, but I respect your choice. By the way, I started renovations on the office. You can come by anytime and pick out which room you want.”