Chapter 7 The Uninvited Guest
1200 Words
That night, the castle seemed to attract more uninvited guests than it could handle.
After Madison dealt with Louis's "girlfriends," another unexpected visitor arrived—a disheveled old man.
"He says his name is Brayley Everett. Claims he was attacked by a prostitute who stole his car," Madison explained to Lorenzo.
"Wait. What did you say his name was?"
"Brayley Everett," Madison repeated, her voice hesitant.
Lorenzo's face darkened. Something was seriously wrong.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
The familiarity he had felt toward Catherine—he finally understood.
He remembered seeing Brayley and a girl at the garden table that day. He remembered her face.
Now it made sense. The woman in the guest room, Catherine, was that Catherine from the garden.
The excitement and warmth he had felt earlier vanished, replaced by a wave of revulsion. He remembered their kiss, and the taste now felt bitter in his mouth.
She had almost fooled him.
*****
Inside the room, Catherine anxiously waited for Lorenzo's return.
There were so many things she needed to tell him.
She wanted to tell him about the baby.
About how she had loved him for years.
"Doctor, when will Louis be back?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"You mean... back to this room?"
The doctor frowned.
"Miss, tomorrow is his wedding. As the groom, he'll likely be busy all night."
Louis' wedding?
Catherine's mind raced. She hadn't even noticed the wedding decorations—the roses, the elegant floral arrangements scattered throughout the castle.
Louis was getting married tomorrow.
Her hand instinctively went to her belly. This baby—his baby—he needed to know.
Ignoring the doctor's protests, Catherine rushed to the door.
But when she pulled it open, she was confronted by the last person she wanted to see.
Brayley.
How had he found her so quickly?
A slow, menacing smile spread across Brayley's face as soon as he saw her.
"Well, well. Finally found you. I should thank this gentleman here for his help."
Behind Brayley stood Lorenzo, his expression unreadable.
"What's going on?" Catherine's voice quivered with fear.
"What's going on? That's what I want to know, Catherine," Lorenzo replied, his tone sharp.
He hesitated when he said her name, as if it felt wrong on his tongue.
"This man claims you ran away from his home, attacked him, and stole his car."
"That's not true! He's lying!"
Catherine's voice cracked as she choked back sobs.
She needed Lorenzo to believe her.
Her tears softened something inside him, but he forced himself to stay composed.
"I think it's best if you go with this man," Lorenzo said, his voice cold and detached.
"No! Please! Don't you remember me? We... we shared something—"
Catherine reached out to grab Lorenzo's arm, but she froze when she saw the ice in his eyes.
"Oh, I remember," Lorenzo said, his voice like ice.
The image of Brayley and Catherine together in the garden played in his mind.
"I saw you at an event. You're Andrew's fiancée, aren't you? And it seems you and this man have quite the relationship."
Lorenzo wanted nothing to do with this.
Whatever had happened between them—he wanted no part of it. But that kiss... it was a mistake. One he couldn't forget.
Catherine couldn't believe what was happening. Everything was unraveling so quickly.
"You can't send me with him! Louis—Louis, I'm pregnant with your child!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
"Louis?"
Lorenzo's eyes widened as everything became clear.
She thought he was Louis. That was why she had kissed him.
She must have thought that with Louis' wedding happening tomorrow, it was the perfect chance to stir up trouble.
Now, she was claiming to be pregnant with his brother's child?
He almost laughed at how far she'd go for money. It was beyond absurd.
Lorenzo glanced around. The argument was drawing attention, and they were only a few rooms away from the bride and her friends.
If word of this got out, the wedding could be in jeopardy.
He had to put an end to this—quickly.
Brayley, growing impatient, grabbed Catherine's arm roughly.
He was already plotting how to make her pay for the injury she had caused to his head.
"It's time we left," he hissed, pulling her toward him.
Lorenzo's eyes flashed with anger.
"Enough. Let her go," he ordered, stepping forward and yanking Catherine out of Brayley's grasp. Brayley glared at him, fury written across his face, but before he could react, security guards closed in, forcing him to back down.
Brayley glanced around at the armed guards and realized he had no choice but to submit.
Lorenzo's attention turned to Catherine.
"The child is mine," he declared firmly. "Louis has nothing to do with this."
He had no other choice but to claim the baby as his—at least for now. The wedding needed to happen without a hitch.
He'd clear everything up once the ceremony was over.
Catherine blinked, confused. What did he mean the child was his? Not Louis'?
But if he was willing to claim the baby, that was all she needed.
She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him like a lifeline. "Please, take me away from here. I can't stand the sight of Brayley anymore."
"Alright," Lorenzo said without hesitation. For the sake of Louis' wedding and the family's reputation, he'd endure this. All of it.
Without another word, he scooped Catherine into his arms and carried her out of the room.
Catherine felt like she was floating.
She wanted nothing more than to stay wrapped in his arms forever.
"Louis, I'm so grateful for this baby," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
As soon as they left, she planned to go to the hospital to confirm her pregnancy. It was the first step in securing their future.
Lorenzo remained silent, his expression unreadable. He felt nothing for her.
This Catherine wasn't just confused—she was delusional. She had convinced herself she was pregnant with Louis' child, and worse, she was a gold-digger who had likely slept with countless men to secure her fortune.
When they reached the car, Lorenzo signaled to Peter, who opened the door.
Without a word, Lorenzo shoved Catherine into the back seat.
"Take her to the police station," Lorenzo instructed coldly. "Make sure no one bails her out until after Louis' wedding."
By the time Catherine realized what was happening, the black Maybach was already speeding toward the police station.
"No! This isn't right. I really am pregnant with Louis' baby! Let me out!" she screamed, banging on the windows.
Peter sighed and closed the partition, blocking her out.
Half an hour later, Catherine found herself in a cold, grimy holding cell at the police station.
Alone, with nothing but a drunken homeless woman for company, everything finally became clear to her.
Louis didn't want her. But Brayley wouldn't have her either. Once the wedding was over and she recovered, she'd find a way to break free.
The cold truth that Lorenzo had shown her hit hard.
In this world, she realized, there was no one she could truly rely on. Except herself.
- Writer
