Episode 6
871 Words
Public Wife
Catherine barely slept.
The Blackwood mansion was too quiet, too perfect, too heavy with things she wasn’t allowed to understand.
And Sebastian… had not returned.
Morning came with soft light spilling through her window, but it didn’t feel like morning.
It felt like judgment day.
A knock came at her door.
Before she could respond, Mrs. Bennett entered.
“Madam,” she said carefully, “you need to prepare. You’re expected to attend an event with Mr. Blackwood today.”
Catherine frowned.
“What event?”
Mrs. Bennett hesitated.
“The Winter Charity Gala.”
Catherine stiffened.
A gala.
Public.
Rich people.
Eyes.
Whispers.
She shook her head immediately.
“I’m not going.”
Mrs. Bennett looked uncomfortable. “It’s not optional.”
Before Catherine could argue, the door across the hallway opened.
Sebastian stepped out.
Already dressed.
Already composed.
Already untouchable.
His gaze landed on her instantly.
“You’re coming.”
It wasn’t a suggestion.
Catherine folded her arms. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do there.”
“You stand beside me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“That’s all I am? An accessory?”
A flicker passed through his expression.
Then it was gone.
“You are my wife,” he said simply. “That is enough.”
The words should have sounded romantic.
They didn’t.
They sounded like ownership.
⸻
By evening, Catherine regretted everything.
The dress she wore was soft silver silk, chosen without her opinion. Her hair was styled neatly, her makeup subtle but expensive.
She didn’t feel like herself.
She felt like someone being displayed.
The Blackwood car arrived first.
Sebastian was already inside.
He didn’t look at her when she got in.
Of course not.
The drive was silent.
Too silent.
Catherine stared out the window, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.
“Do I have to speak to anyone?” she finally asked.
“No,” Sebastian replied.
“That sounds suspiciously like I shouldn’t exist there.”
His eyes shifted to her briefly.
“You will exist exactly where I place you.”
She turned sharply.
“There it is again. That control thing you do.”
His jaw tightened.
“It’s protection.”
“I didn’t ask for it.”
“You don’t understand what you’re involved in.”
Catherine laughed bitterly.
“That’s your favorite line.”
He didn’t respond.
Of course, he didn’t.
⸻
The gala was worse than she imagined.
Flashlights.
Reporters.
Luxury cars everywhere.
Names she had only seen in newspapers.
And then whispers.
Always whispers.
“Is that her?”
“The unknown bride?”
“She looks… ordinary.”
“Why her?”
Catherine felt her chest tighten.
Sebastian stepped out first.
Instant silence followed.
He didn’t wait for her.
He never waited.
Until—
A hand reached back.
He extended it.
Not looking at her.
Just waiting.
Catherine hesitated.
Then placed her hand in his.
The moment she stepped beside him, the entire crowd shifted.
Eyes locked on her.
Judging.
Measuring.
Destroying.
She hated it.
Sebastian’s hand tightened slightly around hers.
A silent warning.
Stay.
The cameras flashed immediately.
Questions flew.
“Mr. Blackwood! Who is she?”
“Is this your official wife?”
“When did you get married?”
Sebastian stopped.
The crowd froze instantly.
And then he said it.
Calm.
Clear.
Final.
“This is my wife.”
Catherine’s breath caught.
The reporters erupted.
Chaos.
Questions.
Shock.
And then—
a voice from the side.
Sweet.
Sharp.
Fake.
“Well, this is unexpected.”
Catherine turned.
Chloe Hart stood there in a red dress, smiling like she had been waiting for this moment.
Eleanor Laurent is beside her.
Watching.
Measuring.
Catherine’s stomach dropped.
Of course, they were here.
Chloe tilted her head.
“Catherine… you didn’t even tell us you got married.”
Catherine said nothing.
She couldn’t.
Chloe smiled wider.
“I suppose some people really do climb fast… when given the right opportunity.”
The insult was subtle.
But everyone heard it.
Catherine felt heat rise in her face.
Sebastian stepped forward slightly.
The air changed immediately.
Cold.
Dangerous.
“Apologize,” he said.
Chloe blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“For speaking to my wife like that.”
Silence.
Chloe laughed awkwardly.
“I was just joking—”
Sebastian’s voice dropped.
“I wasn’t.”
The entire crowd went still.
Even Catherine.
For the first time that night, Chloe looked unsure.
Eleanor quickly stepped in.
“Mr. Blackwood, there’s no need for hostility—”
Sebastian turned his gaze to her.
Instant silence.
“You should teach your daughter manners,” he said calmly. “Before I do.”
The words landed like a blade.
Catherine felt something shift inside her chest.
People weren’t laughing anymore.
They were watching.
Quietly.
Carefully.
Afraid.
Sebastian turned slightly toward Catherine.
His voice softened just enough for only her to hear.
“Stay close.”
She looked at him.
“What are you afraid of?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
Then—
quietly:
“Not what you think.”
And for the first time…
Catherine realized the danger wasn’t just outside.
It was already surrounding her.
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