Chapter 4
1334 Words
Catherine's expression at that moment must have been a complete mess. So the gloves weren't for her? They were only meant to keep her from slipping and, more importantly, to remind her not to let his precious woman get hurt?
Aside from Michael, another man had joined them. He was Michael's business partner, Mark Jackson. The two men walked ahead with Bob, while Catherine followed behind, pushing Selena's wheelchair.
"You really know how to endure things," Selena suddenly said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
As they passed a trash can, Catherine threw the gloves inside. "Do you want me to push you into the lake?"
There was indeed a lake nearby. Selena glanced in that direction and smirked. "The look in your eyes doesn't seem like someone who won't dare."
Catherine gave a cold laugh. "Your legs might not work, but your mind clearly does. You actually figured it out."
Selena's expression froze. She immediately tightened her grip on the wheelchair handles, afraid Catherine might actually send her into the water.
Catherine had only been trying to frighten her. She was representing Empire University of Technology and couldn't afford to ruin the reception. "I was only joking. You're really that easy to scare?"
Selena's face turned awkward as she looked back at her. "That's ridiculous. It's not funny at all!"
Unable to get the upper hand against Catherine, Selena felt irritated. Then her eyes shifted and noticed they were heading down a slope.
What if she fell while Catherine was pushing her?
The thought had barely appeared when Selena suddenly reached out and dug her fingers hard into Catherine's hand. Catherine wasn't prepared for it. The sharp pain made her instinctively release her grip on the wheelchair.
The wheelchair immediately started rolling out of control. Selena's scream of panic echoed as it sped down the slope and slammed into the bushes. Her scream stopped the moment the wheelchair crashed.
Bob turned around in alarm and saw Catherine lying on the ground as well. "Catherine, what happened?"
Selena's pinch had been so painful that Catherine's attention had been focused entirely on her injured hand. It had rained throughout the night, leaving the ground slick, and she hadn't been able to steady herself in time. Her pants were soaked through instantly, and the cold seeped deep into her bones.
"There was water on the ground. I slipped." Catherine tried to get up, but a sharp pain shot through her ankle the moment she moved.
After explaining herself, she received no response. When she looked up, she saw everyone gathered around Selena. Michael had already lifted her into his arms.
Catherine's fingers, already red from the cold, rested against the icy water on the ground. They had both fallen, yet Michael's first reaction was to rush toward the other woman, not his wife.
The icy air burned Catherine's throat with every breath.
In Michael's arms, Selena cried helplessly, "I don't know why she suddenly let go. I thought I was going to fall to my death."
Michael turned his cold gaze toward Catherine.
The freezing weather was nothing compared to the chill in his eyes. Catherine endured the pain in her ankle and forced herself to stand. Seeing that, Bob quickly stepped forward and helped support her.
Catherine looked at Michael. "I didn't! She was the one who pinched me first. I let go because it hurt. I didn't expect the wheelchair to lose control completely."
Selena's tears fell even harder. "No, she's lying. She clearly let go on purpose."
Catherine's body trembled slightly. Her lips had lost all color, and she could only force out three words.
"She's lying."
Whether anyone else believed her didn't matter. The only person she cared about was Michael.
Their eyes met across the cold air between them. A complicated emotion flashed through Michael's eyes, but it disappeared too quickly for anyone to see clearly.
Mark suddenly spoke, "Selena is about to undergo rehabilitation surgery for her legs. Are you saying she would risk her own recovery just to frame you? Does that even sound reasonable?"
Catherine kept looking at Michael. She only needed him to believe her. She only needed him to trust her.
The atmosphere froze for a moment. Then Catherine heard Michael say, "She really doesn't have a reason to do that."
In that instant, the last bit of warmth in Catherine's heart disappeared.
Selena rested safely in Michael's warm embrace and spoke at the perfect moment. "Michael, my legs hurt so much."
Michael lifted her back into the wheelchair. "I'll take you to the hospital."
He pushed her forward a few steps before suddenly stopping. Then he turned around and strode back to Catherine. Taking off his coat, he placed it over her shoulders.
Catherine froze. The coat shielded her from the sharp winter wind, surrounding her with his familiar warmth. She reached out and grabbed onto him, as if holding onto the last piece of hope she had left. "Michael, my ankle is hurt too."
Michael looked at her in silence. Behind him, Selena called his name. "Michael!"
Catherine kept staring at him, refusing to let go, refusing to give up.
"Have Bob take you to the infirmary." He pulled her hand away without hesitation and pushed Selena away.
With the help of a classmate, Catherine managed to stand and sat down on a stone bench. Her face was pale, almost drained of all color. Michael's black coat had been left on the ground.
Michael had always been this way. At the moments when she was about to lose hope, he would give her just enough care and tenderness to make her hold on, only to hurt her all over again afterward.
It was the same as when he skipped dinner with Felix and returned home to comfort her. It was never because he truly understood her feelings. He only wanted to soothe her so he could continue taking care of Selena without guilt.
Catherine was helped to the university infirmary, where the doctor examined her ankle. It was only a mild sprain. Applying ice, rubbing on medicine, and some massage would be enough.
Half an hour later, her lawyer friend, Mia Lynn, arrived to take her back to the research base dormitory.
As soon as Catherine sat down, Mia tossed a business card in front of her. "The best divorce lawyer in the field. Mention my name, and you'll get twenty percent off the consultation fee."
"You changed your perfume?" Catherine suddenly asked out of nowhere.
"Don't try to change the subject. I knew it. You still can't let go of that jerk!" Mia said angrily.
"No. Your new perfume is a little too sweet." Catherine caught the scent and felt slightly uncomfortable.
Mia glared at her. "You haven't gotten tired of that jerk, but you got tired of me first?"
Mia might have been blunt, but she genuinely cared about her. She still drove Catherine back to the base and reminded her before leaving, "If you decide to divorce him, call me anytime."
Catherine hesitated briefly before accepting the business card.
That evening, Michael called and asked whether she was at the research base.
Catherine replied irritably, "I'm in outer space."
Michael laughed. "Our Cat is really something. She has already gone exploring outer space. When you have time, take me along and let me see the sights."
Michael had always been like this. Whenever she was upset, he would say something completely unrelated.
Catherine once thought he was simply charming and smooth with his words. But now she knew those sweet remarks were only another way to calm her down and comfort her, no different from that night or the coat.
Catherine remained silent for a few seconds before ending the call.
Her phone vibrated, and a message appeared.
Michael: The signal in outer space isn't very good. Come back to Earth with me instead.
Catherine lowered her eyes to read it.
Another message from him came in.
Michael: Open the door, Cat.
- Writer
