That evening, Catherine lay sprawled across the couch, staring at the ceiling like it might hand her answers.
Maximilian was in his office, "working." For a professor, he spent an alarming amount of time on his phone and laptop. Academic research, she assumed. Or secret world domination.
Her thumb drifted to her phone's "Recents", and stopped on Dorian's name.
Yes. She had saved it.
Did she want to marry him?
No.
The answer was still no.
So why did her heart sprint every time she thought of him?
Her fingers hovered over his name, then retreated. She tossed the phone onto her stomach and exhaled.
Maybe it wasn't love she hated. Maybe it was "marriage".
Marriage.
The word summoned Maximilian's face with irritating precision.
Her heart thudded, different from when she thought about Dorian. Not sharp and reckless. Deeper. Steadier. Like a drumbeat under her ribs.
She groaned and pressed her palm to her chest.
