Chapter 219: Intense Affection
Alexander stood there in a dark shirt with his sleeves rolled up, looking deeply regretful that he had entered this conversation at all. Maximilian appeared from behind him and hten he walked calmly to Catherine’s side. He knew she had started causing her ruckus, but he would stand by her side no matter what.
Roxana pointed at him immediately. "Tell your sister this is unnecessary."
Alexander looked at Catherine.
Catherine looked back, hooking Maximilian’s arm around her shoulder.
A long silence followed.
Then Alexander, very wisely, loosened his tie and said, "I think there’s merit in hearing her out."
"Alexander Preston."
"There’s also merit," he continued carefully, "in surviving."
Catherine smiled sweetly.
Roxana narrowed her eyes at her husband. "Coward."
"I’m your coward."
Catherine physically recoiled. "Disgusting. Don’t flirt in front of me."
"You are literally trying to orchestrate our wedding."
"Yes, because both of you clearly lack standards."
Alexander sighed and sat beside Roxana, rubbing his forehead already. "Cathy—"
"No." Catherine pointed at him sharply. "You lost speaking privileges when you denied me the right to see my own brother get married."
"It was a courthouse."
"You signed lifelong vows under fluorescent lighting."
Roxana pressed her lips together.
Alexander looked genuinely tired now. "We did not want attention."
"And now," Catherine replied smoothly, "you have unfortunately married into a family where attention is hereditary."
Roxana opened her mouth.
Catherine was already dialing her phone.
"Hello?" she said calmly. "Yes. This is Catherine Elizabeth Preston. I’d like to reserve a private bridal appointment for tomorrow."
Roxana sat upright. "Catherine."
"Two fitting rooms."
"Catherine."
"The entire floor, actually."
Alexander covered his face.
"And send the winter collection too," Catherine continued. "No, not the catalogue pieces. The archived couture. And no synthetic fiber."
She hung up.
Silence.
Roxana stared at her in disbelief. "You booked an entire bridal floor?"
Catherine looked genuinely confused by the question.
"Well, obviously. What if you dislike the lighting?"
"I dislike this entire situation."
"You’ll survive."
"I’m not wearing a twelve-foot train."
"We’ll start with eight."
"Catherine."
"And diamonds should remain elegant," Catherine continued thoughtfully. "No vulgarity. You already look expensive enough naturally."
Alexander’s shoulders started shaking slightly.
Roxana turned slowly toward him. "Are you laughing?"
"No," he lied immediately.
Traitor.
Catherine rose gracefully from her seat, satisfied.
"Tomorrow at ten," she announced. "Eat beforehand. Trying on gowns while hungry makes people emotional."
"I am not going."
"You are."
"No."
"Yes."
Roxana stood too now, meeting her head-on with the cool composure that had terrified courtrooms and corporate boards alike.
"Catherine," she said evenly. "You cannot simply override people’s boundaries because you decide you’re emotionally invested."
Catherine stared at her for one long royal second.
Then she smiled.
"My dear Roxana," she said softly, "you married a Preston. Your boundaries are now a family discussion."
Sophia sensed the tension thickening in the kitchen and stepped in before Catherine and Roxana could drift into another silent standoff.
"Catherine," she said quickly, "I haven’t even looked at your ring properly yet."
And just like that, the atmosphere shifted.
The topic moved to engagement rings, and within moments Catherine was happily holding out her hand beneath the kitchen lights while everyone gathered around her.
Even in a family as obscenely wealthy as the Prestons, a gemstone like hers still drew attention.
"Good Lord..." Miranda breathed. "That Alexandrite is massive."
Catherine immediately brightened with pride.
"And look closely," she said, angling the ring carefully. "The setting has lilies worked into it."
Sophia leaned closer, impressed.
Maximilian really had paid attention to every detail.
"And Alexandrite changes color," Catherine continued, unable to hide the happiness in her voice. "It symbolizes transformation and duality... And the color of our eyes... He chose it because of... us."
The way she said that made even Sophia soften.
Then Catherine’s gaze drifted toward Roxana’s hand.
And the moment she saw the ring there, her eyes immediately snapped toward Alexander.
The ring was... modest.
Simple. Elegant, yes. But undeniably modest.
Which made absolutely no sense.
Alexander Preston was not a man who bought modest things. The man casually spent fortunes on watches, wine, and hunting rifles. Yet for his wife, he had chosen a ring that looked almost understated.
Catherine narrowed her eyes slightly.
Had her brother secretly fallen into financial ruin?
Roxana noticed the suspicion written plainly across Catherine’s face despite her saying nothing aloud.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Alexander bought it with his salary nearly ten years ago," she explained quietly. "Before any inheritance. Before the businesses grew."
Her fingers brushed the ring unconsciously.
"He kept it all this time," she added. "I think... that’s what moved me."
There was no embarrassment in her voice.
Only sincerity.
Only affection.
Catherine’s expression slowly changed as she watched Roxana speak. The woman’s eyes had softened completely, glowing with a warmth Catherine hadn’t noticed before.
And suddenly, Catherine understood.
That was what an engagement ring truly meant.
Not the price.
Not the size.
But the feelings attached to it.
Her gaze lingered on the modest ring for another second before she finally looked away quietly.
A little later, James Preston came downstairs after hearing the noise and laughter from the kitchen.
He settled into his seat and simply watched his family.
Sophia and Miranda bickering while cooking. Roxana awkwardly trying to help. Catherine bossing everyone around while stealing ingredients in between. The sound of laughter filling the house.
And for the first time in a long while, the old man felt something inside him loosen.
Peace.
Catherine eventually tied an apron around herself and joined the cooking despite everyone protesting that she would only crowd the kitchen.
She ignored them all and made her famous pies for dessert anyway.
By the time dinner was ready, the entire house smelled of butter, cinnamon, roasted herbs, and warmth.
It felt alive.
The next morning, Alexander stood beside Roxana while she adjusted her coat.
"Do you actually want to go?" he asked gently.
Roxana nodded before leaning up to kiss him briefly.
"I’ll see how it goes," she said.
Then after a pause, she admitted quietly,
"Your sister is scary."
Alexander laughed softly under his breath.
Roxana wasn’t wrong.
There was a forcefulness to Catherine that could overwhelm people if they weren’t used to her. She had grown up in a world where people naturally listened when she spoke, and even her affection came with intensity.
"Give her some time," Alexander said, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "She’ll grow on you."
Roxana immediately shook her head.
"Oh, I don’t dislike her," she clarified quickly.
If anything... it was the opposite.
There was something strangely magnetic about Catherine Preston. Overbearing. Intimidating. Difficult.
But genuine.
Alexander smiled and kissed her forehead.
Then his thoughts drifted briefly toward what Catherine had said yesterday.
About the pregnancy.
He wondered... if he should tell Roxana about it.
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