Whisper Destiny

Chapter 61

~ Natasha ~

As I walk past her toward my room, Catherine's hand suddenly wraps around my wrist, halting me mid-step.

"Tash..." she whispers, her voice barely breaking the silence.

I turn to her, meeting her gaze. She's searching for something in my eyes, but she says nothing. The air between us grows thick, the unspoken words hanging like a weight.

"What?" I ask, my voice steady, though I can feel the storm brewing inside me.

Catherine's hands takes both of mine in hers, her fingers pressing into my palms as if she's holding on for dear life. "I'm sorry..." she says, her voice cracking at the edges.

I wait, watching her fumble for words. "What I did last night was so... so..." she hesitates, searching for the right word.

"So rude and unethical?" I finish for her, my tone sharp. Her apology stings in the wake of what happened, and I wonder if she even understands the depth of what she's done.

Her eyes flicker with guilt, and I can feel that she knows. She knows how wrong she was. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel..."

"Feel like a whore? Like one of your fleeting one-night stands?" I cut her off again, bitterness slipping through my words. Her hands tighten around mine, but I pull back, releasing her hold on me.

"I'm sorry," she repeats, almost pleading.

"For fuck's sake, Catherine!" I snap, my frustration boiling over. "I'm your wife, not some cheap thrill you can toss aside when you're done." I take a step back, putting distance between us. The anger churns inside me.

I can see the vulnerability in Catherine's eyes, but I can't stop now that the dam has burst. "I know we have this 'agreement,' Cate. But that doesn't give you the right to treat me however you want. Out of everyone, I expected you—you, of all people—to understand that." My voice tightens as I continue. "Maybe... maybe my judgment about you was wrong."

The accusation hangs in the air between us, like a slap neither of us can take back.

"Tash..." Catherine's voice comes out in a soft, pained whisper as she reaches for me again, her fingertips brushing my arm. "I swear, I didn't mean to disrespect you like that. I would never do that to you... not in a million years."

Her sincerity almost cracks my resolve, but I stand firm. "I know you've got a lot going on right now, but—"

"It doesn't justify my action, I know." she interrupts, her voice low and ashamed. She lowers her gaze, staring down at her feet like a scolded child. I've never seen her like this—so defeated, so lost.

We stand in silence, the weight of what's unsaid pressing down on us both. I run a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. Neither of us moves for what feels like an eternity.

Then, Catherine lifts her head, her eyes locking onto mine with a newfound intensity. "Tell me what to do, Tash. Tell me what to do, to make this right. I'll do anything."

Her words catch me off guard, my heart skipping a beat. Catherine Ortiz—the woman who always knows exactly what to do, who never falters—is asking me how to fix this. I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her sudden surrender. This is so unlike her, so out of her element.

"Anything?" I ask, my voice careful, searching her expression for any sign of hesitation.

She nods firmly. "Anything."

"Are you sure?" I ask again, my voice a little quieter, testing her resolve. "Anything?"

"Yes," she breathes, her eyes unwavering.

The opportunity lays wide open before me. My heart races as I stand there, watching her surrender her self—just for the chance to make things right with me.

Should I risk my next move? Should I ask for more than she's ever been willing to give? Should I push beyond her wall? Suddenly, I hesitate. But then, Louisa's voice echoes in my mind from our earlier conversation, her words playing back like a reminder.

"She may not show it, but I think she needs you, maybe more than you realize."

When I meet her gaze again, I make up my mind. My parents raised me to take risks, to get whatever I want. And right now, I know exactly what I want from her.

I clear my throat, watching the way Catherine's expression shifts—nervous, but still anticipating whatever I'm about to say.

"I don't know how packed your schedule is for the rest of this trip," I begin carefully.

"I can clear it up," Catherine interrupts quickly, her voice firm.

"Listen, I don't want to disrupt your schedule if you've already commit to them."

"Nothing important," she says, cutting me off again. "A few networking meetings, nothing Tommy can't handle for me." Her gaze is steady, her commitment unshakable. "I'll make the time. Just tell me what you need."

"If you say so..." I pause, choosing my words with care. "Since we're here, I want to explore this place—or somewhere nearby. Somewhere where people don't recognize us. Or you, specifically."

I can see her curiosity piqued. "Consider it done," she replies, her voice smooth but cautious. "I'll arrange something." She pauses, eyes locking onto mine. "Is that all?" Her tone is careful, probing, like she's already reading between the lines, knowing there's something more beneath the surface.

"No," I say, the word catching in my throat. My heart skips a beat, and I can feel the tension building in the air between us. This is it—the moment I decide to push further, even though part of me knows, I'm about to cross into 'Catherine' territory that no one have ever explore, and I might lost in it. But, its not stopping me.

"I want us to leave everything behind for a while. I'm not Natasha Grayson, and you're not Catherine Ortiz." I watch her carefully, trying to gauge what she's thinking. Her expression shifts, her brows furrowing slightly as my words sink in.

"We'll just be two ordinary people... exploring the world. No pressure. No expectations. No consequences." My voice softens as I finish, the request hanging in the silence between us.

There's a beat of silence. She doesn't respond right away. My pulse quickening with each second that passes, expecting her to shut me down. she might thinks this is ridiculous.

But then she speaks. "Okay," she says softly, the word almost surprising me.

"Okay?" I echo, not quite believing what I'm hearing, my voice betraying the disbelief. I'd been so sure she would resist.

She nods, her eyes meeting mine with a kind of calm certainty that instantly eases the knot in my chest. "Yeah, okay. Let's do it."

A slow, almost disbelieving smile spreads across my face. I can't help the warm surge of victory that blooms in my chest. It feels like winning something much bigger than I'd expected.

Catherine steps forward, closing the space between us, her movements tentative at first. She reaches for my hand, hesitating slightly as if she's unsure whether I'll pull away again. But this time, I let her. Her fingers brush against mine, and the small, familiar touch sends a quiet shiver through me.

Her eyes, those impossibly blue eyes, find mine once again. I'm so caught in the depth of them, so lost in the way they seem to hold me captive, that I almost miss her next words.

"Am I forgiven?"

I swallow, trying to play it cool. "Half-forgiven," I tease, my voice lighter than before. "I'll have to see how you behave in the next few days."

A breath escapes her, a soft exhale of relief, as if some weight has been lifted. The tension that had lingered between us dissipates, leaving only the warmth of the moment.

"I'll take that," she says, her lips curving into a soft smile.

I sense Catherine be more relaxed as compared to earlier.

I hope my plan works. This is just the beginning, and I don't know where it will lead us. But, I'm willing to take the risk.