In the bustling cityscape of New York, Catherine Woods seeks solace in the hallways of Havlon High, determined to distance herself from the shadows of her troubled past. A master of caution, she treads carefully, steering clear of any hint of trouble that may threaten to unravel the fragile stability she has painstakingly built.
Yet, fate has a curious way of weaving its threads, and soon trouble, like an uninvited guest, arrives on her doorstep. Catherine's past, an unwelcome specter, haunts her, leaving her with the haunting question of whether she can truly escape the web of her own history. In the absence of a confidant, she grapples with the burden alone, unsure of the right path forward.
Just as despair threatens to consume her, a ray of hope emerges in the form of an unexpected camaraderie. For the first time in years, Catherine finds herself enveloped in the warmth of genuine friendship, a haven where she can lower her guard and be herself. However, the specter of her past still looms, and the fear that her newfound companions might be drawn into the maelstrom of her troubles casts a long shadow over her newfound sanctuary.
In a pivotal moment, Catherine faces a daunting decision - to continue running from the shadows or to stand her ground and confront the demons that have pursued her for so long. As the line between right and wrong blurs, she grapples with the possibility of regret, questioning whether her choices will lead to redemption or further despair.
In this gripping narrative, Catherine Woods navigates the labyrinth of her own existence, torn between the safety of the present and the haunting echoes of her past. The reader is invited to join her on this tumultuous journey, where decisions made in the crucible of uncertainty may shape not only Catherine's destiny but also the fate of those who have come to mean so much to her.
A wayward regency au one shot I wrote for fun, and because the concept wouldn't stop haunting my mind.
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Trying to get back up after his ex-fiancé left him, Lord Arthur Pendragon relents to his friends and families idea of hosting a party in his family's estate. Although holding up hope for a new love that evening, he could not predict falling head over heel for a woman with haunted eyes, who secretly hides a crooked and wicked grin and a spark of intrigue unlike any he's glimpses before. After catching the sight of that side of her, and the way her families mistreatment severely dampens it, he finds himself sure of one thing. He's going to get her out their grasp, but doing so might be more tricky then first expected.
Miss Harriet Frodesdotter is stuck in a hell of constantly being forced into a uncomfortable, lace covered, dress, into unbearably loud ballrooms, and dealing with condescending suitors that her controlling sister manages to steer towards her. The sudden approach by a Lord Pendragon does make her pause however, his sweet and concerned eyes appearing to be almost horrifyingly sincere as he offers to help her with her family issues. She doesn't trust him, he's not the first to claim to be her savour for purely selfish reasons, but something tells her that there's something more to him, and not in a bad way.
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Content warning for ableism, family issues (including abuse, I don't perceive it as especially graphic, but it's there) and depictions of meltdowns.