Chapter 87: The morning after ...
The morning light filtered through the heavy silk curtains of Katherine’s suite at the Thorne estate, casting a soft golden haze over the rumpled bed.
Katherine sat at the vanity, brushing her long hair with sharp, deliberate strokes. Her reflection stared back at her flawless makeup already applied, but her eyes were cold and hard. She hadn’t slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard it again.
*"Fiona..."*
The name Martin had moaned against her lips while they were in bed.
She slammed the brush down on the vanity, the sound echoing in the quiet room. Her hands trembled slightly with barely contained rage.
A soft knock came at the door. One of the maids entered with a tray of coffee and fresh fruit.
"Miss Thorne, your father asked if you’d like to join him for breakfast to discuss the final guest list."
Katherine forced a smile.
"Tell him I’ll be down shortly."
The moment the maid left, her smile vanished. She stood up and walked to the bed where Martin was still asleep, sprawled on his back, one arm thrown over his eyes. He looked peaceful too peaceful.
She sat on the edge of the mattress and shook his shoulder firmly.
"Martin. Wake up."
He groaned, slowly opening his eyes. The hangover hit him immediately pounding headache, dry mouth, nausea. He blinked at her, confused for a second.
"Katherine... what time is it?"
"Late enough," she said, her voice deceptively calm. "You were quite drunk last night."
Martin sat up, rubbing his temples.
"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have had that much wine. Work has been..."
Katherine’s eyes flashed.
"Work?" She let out a bitter laugh. "Is that what you’re calling it now? Because last night, while you were in *my* bed, you called out another woman’s name."
Martin froze. The memory came back in fragments Katherine’s lips on his neck, the room spinning, and then...
*Fiona.*
He closed his eyes, shame flooding through him.
"Katherine... I was drunk. It didn’t mean anything."
"Didn’t mean anything?" Her voice rose, sharp and icy. "You were kissing me, touching me, and you said *her* name. Fiona. The same woman who just resigned from your company in disgrace. The one you defended in that meeting like she was still yours."
Martin reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
"I’m sorry," he said again, voice rough. "It was a mistake. A stupid, drunken mistake. You’re the one I’m marrying. You’re the one I chose."
Katherine stood up, wrapping her robe tighter around herself.
"Chose? You chose this alliance because our fathers wanted it. You chose me because it makes business sense. But your heart... your heart is still with her. And I won’t be second best in my own marriage."
She walked to the window, staring out at the perfectly manicured gardens where their wedding was supposed to take place.
"I’ve waited years for this, Martin. Years of smiling and playing the perfect fiancée while you kept that girl as your little secret. I won’t let her ruin this. If you can’t get her out of your head, then maybe this wedding shouldn’t happen at all."
Martin’s headache intensified. He swung his legs off the bed, standing up unsteadily.
"Don’t say that. The wedding is happening. I’ll fix this. I’ll forget about Fiona."
Katherine turned to him, her expression cold.
"Then prove it. No more defending her.From now on, it’s just us. Or I walk away and take the Thorne merger with me."
She didn’t wait for his reply. She walked out of the room, leaving Martin standing alone, the weight of his hangover and his mistakes pressing down on him.
He sank back onto the bed, head in his hands.
*Fiona.*
Even now, the name brought a sharp ache. He had lost her. And the worst part was knowing it was his own fault.
Fiona sat on the edge of her bed ,the sunlight streaming through the curtains and warming her bare feet. The hospital stay felt like a distant blur now, but the emotional weight of the past few days still pressed on her chest. Her fever was gone, her body felt stronger, but her mind was a whirlwind.
She had spent the night thinking really thinking about everything.
Caleb owned Moonshine.
The revelation had shaken her. It had made her question his intentions, wonder if she had been a pawn in a larger game against Martin. But as the hours passed and the initial shock faded, another truth settled in: Caleb had never pressured her. He had been patient, steady, and protective from the moment he re-entered her life. He had stood up to Martin at her door. He had offered to adopt her baby and give them both a real future.
And now, knowing he owned Moonshine... it changed things in a practical way too.
She no longer needed to stress about work.
The senior director offer at Moonshine was still open. With Caleb at the helm, she wouldn’t have to worry about proving herself in a new environment or facing suspicion because of the Voss scandal. She could focus on her pregnancy, on healing, on building a life that felt safe.
Fiona stood up slowly and walked to the window, looking out at the quiet street. Her hand rested on her small bump. The baby gave a gentle flutter, as if agreeing with her thoughts.
"I think I know what I need to do," she whispered.
She picked up her phone and typed a message to Caleb.
Fiona: Can we talk today? I’ve had time to think. I want to see you.
His reply came almost immediately.
Caleb: I’m free whenever you are. I’ll come to you if that’s easier. Just tell me when.
They agreed to meet at a quiet café near her house in the afternoon.
Fiona arrived at the small café by the bay a few minutes early. The afternoon sun sparkled on the water, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of salt and coffee. She chose a quiet corner table overlooking the sea, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her heart was beating faster than she wanted to admit.
She had spent the morning thinking — really thinking about everything that had happened. The hospital stay, Caleb’s revelation about owning Moonshine, the fear of being labeled a sellout, and the quiet pull in her chest that kept drawing her back to him. Despite the hurt and confusion, she kept coming to the same conclusion: she didn’t want to face the future without him.
When Caleb walked in, her breath caught. He looked the same as always tall, steady, with that gentle smile that made her feel seen. But today there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. He spotted her immediately and walked over, pulling out the chair across from her.
"Hi," he said softly, sitting down. "You look better. How are you feeling?"
Fiona managed a small smile.
"The fever’s gone. I’m just tired. But I’m okay."
They ordered drinks ginger tea for her, black coffee for him and sat in a moment of quiet before she spoke.
"I’ve been thinking a lot since yesterday," she began, her voice steady but soft. "About what you told me. About Moonshine. About us."
Caleb nodded, giving her his full attention. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t try to defend himself. He simply listened.
Fiona took a deep breath.
"When you said you own Moonshine, it felt like the ground shifted under me. All this time, I thought you were this safe, steady architect offering me an escape from Voss. I didn’t know you were the one behind the company that sent my old workplace into panic mode. It made me question everything the job offer, the proposal, even why you wanted me. I wondered if I was just part of some bigger plan against Martin."
She paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup.
"I was hurt. I felt lied to. That’s why I asked for space. I needed time to process without the fog of the fever or the fear clouding my judgment."
Caleb’s expression was full of regret. He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and sincere.
"I understand. I should have told you sooner. I was scared, Fiona. Scared that if I revealed it too early, you would see me the way you see Martin as another powerful man with an agenda. I wanted you to choose me for me. For the way I make you feel safe. Not because I could offer you a job or security or revenge against Voss. That was my mistake, and I’m truly sorry."
Fiona looked at him, searching his eyes. She saw only honesty there.
"I know you’re sorry," she said quietly. "And I believe you. But it still hurt. For a while, I thought maybe we should end things. That it was too complicated. That I couldn’t trust you completely."
Caleb’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away.
"I would understand if that’s what you want. I don’t want to pressure you. But I need you to know I never used you. The Lumina Glow launch was planned long before you came back into my life. The rivalry with Voss started years ago in university, but it was never about dragging you into it. I fell for you because of who you are strong, kind, talented, and fighting so hard for your baby. I want to be part of that fight. I want to build a life with you, not use you as a weapon."
Fiona felt tears prick her eyes. She blinked them away, taking another sip of tea to steady herself.
"I’ve been so scared," she admitted. "Scared of the rumors at Voss. Scared that Moonshine would pull the offer because of the scandal. Scared that I had no future left. But knowing you own Moonshine... it changes things. It means I don’t have to stress about work or proving myself in a new place. I can focus on the baby. On healing. On us."
She reached across the table and took his hand. Caleb’s grip was warm and steady.
"I’ve decided I want to go along with the engagement," she said softly. "I want to move forward with you. But we do this honestly from now on. No more big secrets. We take it one day at a time. I need to feel like I’m choosing this because it feels right not because I’m running from something."
Caleb’s eyes lit up with relief and joy. He squeezed her hand tightly, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
"You have no idea how happy that makes me," he said, voice thick with emotion. "I promise you no more secrets. I’ll be completely open with you from now on. We’ll announce the engagement when you’re ready. We’ll handle the Moonshine transition together. And I’ll be there for every doctor’s appointment, every late night, every moment with the baby. You and this child are my priority. Not the rivalry. Not the business. Just you two."
Fiona felt a weight lift from her shoulders. For the first time since the hospital, she smiled a real, genuine smile.
"I missed you," she whispered. "Even when I was angry, I missed you."
Caleb leaned across the table and kissed her forehead gently.
"I missed you too. More than you know."
They stayed at the café for a long time, talking about everything and nothing. Caleb told her more about how he built Moonshine in the shadows the early struggles, the decision to keep it hidden, and how the rivalry with Martin had started as a quiet fire that grew over the years. He didn’t excuse it, but he explained it honestly.
Fiona shared her fears about the rumors, about being labeled a sellout, and about how the pregnancy felt like both a blessing and a terrifying secret.
By the time they left the café, hand in hand, the sun was beginning to set over the bay. Caleb walked her home, his arm around her shoulders.
When they reached her door, he turned to her.
"I’ll give you whatever pace you need," he said softly. "But I’m all in, Fiona. I’m not going anywhere."
She rose on her toes and kissed him — slow, tender, full of quiet promise.
"I’m all in too," she whispered.
