Chapter 28
Chapter 26: Taking Catherine To The Ball
Logan’s POV
We made our way into the ballroom, and we were immediately surrounded by Chicago’s social elite. I recognized most of them, having worked with them before, fellow business associates, future potential clients, people that I needed to network with.
But without Sedona beside me, it all felt hollow somehow. Wrong.
“Logan! Good to see you.” Marcus Ashford, one of my biggest clients, appeared with his wife Amy beside her as they both beamed at me, as I saw the subtle frown on his face when he looked at Catherine before fixing it as he continued smoothly.
“And Catherine! How lovely. How’s the wrist p>
“Healing well, thank you,” Catherine replied graciously.
Marcus’s smile was pleasant, but I saw the way his eyes flicked between Catherine and me, calculating, assessing the situation. His curiosity won out over being polite as he asked. “Where’s that lovely wife of yours? I was hoping to see Sedona tonight p>
“She’s not feeling well,” I said smoothly. “Sends her regrets p>
“That’s a shame. Amy and I were just talking about her the other day.” He glanced at his wife, who nodded. “Remember that dinner we all had at Alinea last spring p>
“Of course,” Amy said. “Sedona was delightful. So funny and smart. We laughed all evening p>
I had no memory of this dinner, which probably meant I’d spent it talking business with Marcus while Sedona entertained his wife.
“There was this moment,” Marcus continued, and something in his tone made me pay attention. “We were talking about international travel, and someone mentioned the dangers of doing business in certain parts of Mexico especially people like us who are often kidnapped and ransomed for money. And Sedona-” He chuckled shaking his head. “Sedona said something that stuck with me since that night. She said, ‘If Logan ever got kidnapped in Mexico, I wouldn’t even wait for the ransom call. I’d just book the first flight there and find him myself p>
Amy laughed at the memory. “Everyone thought it was a joke, but the way she said it… you could tell she meant it. Like she’d actually do it, consequences be damned p>
“She’s very devoted to you,” Marcus said, his tone carefully neutral glancing at Catherine again. “I hope you know that p>
There was something in his expression-a gentle criticism, maybe, or a warning. I felt my defenses rising.
“Of course I know that p>
“Good. Good.” Marcus sipped his champagne backing down as he flashed a smile that showed he wasn’t looking for a fight. “Because between you and me, Logan, I’ve noticed you and Catherine spending quite a
1.3
Taking Catbenne To The Ball
+25 Points
bit of time together lately. And while I’m sure it’s all perfectly innocent, you might want to be careful about appearances. People talk, and sometimes that talk can be… damaging. Especially in circles like this. It would be both damaging to your and Catherine reputation if someone was to start an unsavory rumor p>
The words were diplomatic, carefully phrased, but the message was clear: You’re making a fool of yourself, and you’re hurting your wife in the process.
“Catherine is a friend,” I said stiffly. “A friend who needed support during a difficult time with her injury p>
“Of course, of course. I’m not suggesting otherwise.” Marcus’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m just saying, be mindful. Sedona seems like the type of woman who wouldn’t say anything even if she was suffering. The quiet ones often are p>
Before I could respond, he and Amy moved on to greet other guests, leaving me standing there with Catherine and an uncomfortable knot in my stomach.
“Don’t think too much bout it, nothing is happening between us, and rumors always spread regardless if it’s true or not. Catherine said softly p>
“I know p>
But the conversation had rattled me more than I cared to admit. I found myself scanning the room, noticing the glances sent our way, the whispered conversations behind raised hands and quick glances that showed they were talking, gossiping. How long had people been talking? How long had they been judging my relationship with Catherine, pitying Sedona?
The evening dragged on. I made the necessary rounds, smiled at the right people, made generous pledges to causes I barely understood anymore, but Catherine told me to do so, it will help broaden my reputation. But my heart wasn’t in it.
All I could think about was Sedona at that dinner Marcus had mentioned, laughing with Amy, charming the clients I needed to impress, saying she’d fly to Mexico without hesitation if I needed her.
Would I have done the same for her? If she’d been the one in danger, would I have dropped everything to save her?
I wanted to say yes. But looking back at the past few months at how I’d dismissed her concerns about Katherine, how I’d told her she was being selfish when she’d asked me to come home, how I’d hung up on her when she’d called during the Disneyland trip-I wasn’t sure I could honestly make that claim.
By the time the gala ended, I was exhausted and more than a little drunk. Catherine had left early, claiming her wrist was bothering her, and left me to spend my evening alone.
I drove home carefully, hyperaware of every other car on the road, every traffic light. The house was dark when I arrived, Mrs. Peterson having left hours ago after putting Nick to bed.
I checked on my son-found him sleeping peacefully, his new shoes placed neatly beside his bed-before heading to the master bedroom.
And there, in the silence and emptiness of the room I’d shared with Sedona for three years, I finally let myself admit the truth I’d been avoiding.
I missed her.
23
Taking Calberme To The Ball
+25 Points
+pulled out my phone and stared at our conversation thread. Three days since she’d left. Three days of silence, of waiting for her to crack, to apologize, to come crawling back.
But what if she didn’t? What If she was serious? What if I’d finally pushed her too far?
I typed out a message before I could overthink it: “Have you cooled down yet? Nick misses you. Come home so we can talk like adults p>
I hit send and waited, watching the screen like it held the secrets of the universe.
The message showed as delivered. Then read.
But no response came.
Minutes passed like that, me having absolutely nothing to do for once, but stare at my phone. Then an hour. I lay in bed, phone in hand, waiting for the three dots that would indicate she was typing, that she was ready to engage, that she was coming back.
Nothing.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.