♣ CHAPTER 14 ♣
Kate didn't sleep that night. Her mind kept spinning, replaying every word from their argument. She didn't regret what she said. But something inside her has changed. The way William had looked at her. It was Cold and Empty. It was Like nothing she said mattered.
The next morning, she walked into the dining room. He was already there, sipping coffee like everything was normal.
She sat down. "We need to talk."
He didn't look at her. "About what?"
"About this," she said. "About you. About the way you treat me."
He placed the cup down. "You're angry. I understand."
"No. You don't," Kate said, her voice rising. "You think you do, but you don't understand anything about me."
He raised a brow. "Then enlighten me."
Kate leaned forward. "Why are you like this, William? Why do you act like you hate me?"
He didn't answer.
She kept talking. "You married me. You dragged me into your world. And now you punish me every day for being here."
"This marriage was a deal," he said sharply. "Not love. Not companionship. Just a contract."
"I know that," she snapped. "But even contracts have respect."
His eyes met hers but it was Cold and Distant. "I don't owe you anything."
"You owe me an explanation!" she shouted. "Why are you so cold? What did I do?"
"You exist," he said flatly. "That's what you did."
Her chest tightened. "What does that even mean?"
He stood, walking to the window. "You remind me of things I buried a long time ago."
She stepped closer. "Tell me."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because if I do," he said without turning, "you won't look at me the same."
"Try me," she said.
The silence stretched between them.
Kate stood there, staring at William's back. Her hands clenched. Her heart beat fast. She wasn't sure if it was anger or something else. But she couldn't walk away now. Not after what he just said.
"William," she said again, softer this time. "You said I remind you of something. Of someone. Just tell me the truth. Please."
He still didn't turn.
Kate took a step closer. "I can't keep doing this with you. One minute, you pull me in. The next, you push me away. I need to know why."
His shoulders moved. A long breath. Then finally, he spoke.
"You want the truth?" he asked, his voice low.
"Yes."
He turned slowly. His eyes looked different. No longer cold. It was Just a look of being… tired.
"You remind me of her," he said.
Kate frowned. "Her? Who?"
"My sister," he said. "Sophia."
Kate blinked. "You have a sister?"
"I had one," he said.
He walked to the chair and sat down. This time, his voice was calm. But something was breaking inside it.
"She was two years younger than me. She is Quiet and Soft-hearted. She is Always trusting. Too trusting."
Kate sat across from him, not saying a word.
"She believed everyone was good," William continued. "Even when they hurt her. Even when they used her. She always forgave. Always smiled."
He looked down at his hands.
"She met someone and Fell in love with him. He wasn't who he said he was. He used her,Stole from her and Broke her. And she still wanted to stay with him."
"What happened?" Kate whispered.
"He left her Alone And pregnant," William said. His voice cracked, just a little. "She tried to hold on. Tried to be strong. But… she didn't make it."
Kate's chest ached. "She died?"
He nodded. "She lost the baby. And then… she lost herself."
Kate covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry."
William looked at her. "I told myself I'd never let anyone close again. Because when you care, you lose. And when you lose, it destroys you."
"That's why you're so cold," Kate said quietly.
"I built walls. I made myself untouchable," he said. "And then you came. With your fire. Your stubbornness. Your soft heart."
He looked away. "And I hated that you made me feel again."
Kate reached across the table, placing her hand over his. He didn't pull away. His hand stayed still under hers.
"I'm not her, William," she said. "I'm not going to fall apart. I'm not going to break if you let me in."
"You don't know what you're saying," he muttered.
"I do," Kate said. "You think I haven't been hurt? My uncle stole my parents' company. I lost everything. I'm not some fragile girl."
He looked at her again, his eyes dark. "You're stronger than her."
"I'm not asking for love. I'm asking for honesty. Respect," she said. "I can handle the truth. But I can't handle being treated like I don't matter."
His lips pressed together. He didn't speak for a while.
Then, "That day at the event. When Gabriella humiliated you. I watched."
"I know," Kate said.
"I wanted to see if you'd break," he admitted. "But you didn't. You stood up. You fought back."
Kate pulled her hand back. "I don't need a test, William."
"I know," he said. "I was wrong."
She stood up. "If you want to keep punishing yourself for your sister's death, go ahead. But don't drag me into it. I didn't come into your life to remind you of pain. I came here because you brought me."
"I didn't expect you to fight," he said, rising.
"Well, I'm not her," Kate said. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Their eyes met.
"You think I'm naive," she said. "But I'm learning. And if you think you can keep me out forever, you're wrong."
"I don't want to lose you too," he said, almost too quietly.
Kate froze.
"What did you say?"
William looked away again. "Nothing."
She took a step closer. "You just admitted you're afraid. That's the real reason, isn't it?"
He didn't deny it.
Kate's voice dropped. "Stop running from your past. You can't change what happened. But you can decide what you do now."
William looked at her with her raw honesty.
"I don't know how to be what you want."
"I don't want perfection," Kate said. "I just want something real."
For the first time, he didn't push her away.
He simply said, "Then stay."
Kate nodded slowly. "I'll stay. But only if you stop shutting me out."
They stood in silence again, but this time, it wasn't cold.