Chapter 62: Good Luck On Your Second Date
Katarina’s legs trembled, sore from his rough grip — especially between them. She pulled her skirt down and turned toward him. Victor was standing near the closet, putting on his clothes.
"I’ll pick you up tomorrow for our grandfather’s birthday," Victor said coldly as he slipped on a shirt. "I already said we’re coming. Put on something nice."
She bit down on her inner lip as tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. "If you hate me so much, why did you even marry me?"
He didn’t answer, which only fueled her anger.
"Why!?" she screamed, yanking the blanket beneath her. "Why!? Why?!"
Each word was sharper than the last, driven by desperation. She only stopped when he barked back.
"Do you really not know!?"
Katarina’s breath hitched, her eyes trembling as she looked at him. Victor ground his teeth and marched to the bed, grabbing her jaw, fingers pressing hard into her cheeks.
"Do you really not fucking know?" he hissed. "Katarina, you... you’re not the victim here."
He laughed in ridicule, not the slightest trace of pity in his eyes. "You seduced someone who was in a committed relationship. You spread your legs even though you knew someone else would get hurt. There were times you pretended to be sick just so I wouldn’t go home to her, and you..." His grip tightened. "You told me you were pregnant and trapped me in this fucking marriage."
"So why the fuck are you so shocked that this is happening to you? To us?" He hummed, brows lifting. "Do you still want to get fucked even when you’re already bleeding? Hah. Are you really that desperate?"
His fingers pressed harder against her cheek before he tossed her face aside, before he could crush her jaw.
"Stop acting like you deserve pity," he hissed one last time. "It’s... just pathetic."
With that, he stomped away, grabbed a jacket, and headed for the door. But before leaving, he paused and glanced back at her.
"Oh, right," he said flatly. "If you ever say you’re taking your life again, don’t contact me. If you’re going to kill yourself, then do it. Please. I beg you—don’t hesitate. Just... die."
Disgust flickered in his eyes as he slammed the door shut, the force making the paintings on the wall rattle.
Katarina stared at the door, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth as her gums bled from his rough grip.
"I hate him..." she whispered, before screaming at the top of her lungs. "I didn’t ruin your life alone! You ruined yourself, you asshole!"
But no matter how hysterically she screamed, her voice only echoed back at her. Panting, Katarina looked around the bedroom. Thinking that breaking things might ease the fury choking her heart, she destroyed everything within reach until the room was completely overturned.
"Hah... hah..." she panted, staring at the aftermath. But instead of relief, her face twisted in frustration. It hadn’t eased her anger at all.
She clenched her fists.
"It’s her fault," she breathed. "It’s all her fault. Victor and I were happy until she showed up in our lives again."
Their marriage had already been unstable, and they had been sleeping separately for some time. But it was salvageable. It only truly worsened when Lynsandra re-entered their lives.
"I’ll kill her." Hatred burned in Katarina’s eyes, her body shaking. "I’ll kill her..."
A light chuckle slipped from her lips, as if she had just found a way to release the unquenchable fire inside her. Lynsandra’s death. The mere thought of it made her laugh.
*****
The next day arrived like any other.
As Lynsandra headed downstairs, she spotted Cassian standing at the foot of the stairs. A shallow breath escaped her, and she deliberately slowed her pace, as if moving like a snail—buying herself time before whatever Cassian might throw at her.
Cassian’s smile slowly faltered, his brows knitting together as he noticed the strange shift in pace.
"Is this what they call a slow-motion effect?" he wondered, narrowing his eyes as he focused on Lynsandra. "It must be. Goodness... she’s so gorgeous."
If only he looked around, he would have noticed that Lynsandra was the only one moving slowly, taking her time to mentally prepare herself.
Eventually, she reached him.
Lynsandra stopped one step above the landing and looked at him. "Good morning, Cassian."
"Good morning, Lizzie~!" he beamed. "Lizzie, are you busy today?"
"Yes, Cassian. I’ll be busy today," she stressed. "Actually, I’m running late."
"Oh." He pouted slightly, fidgeting as if hesitating.
"Spit it out," she urged. "Just say it."
"Can you come with me later?"
"No."
"I promise I won’t be late! Actually, I can come with you the whole day, so I won’t be late again!" He raised a hand, nodding eagerly. "I can be your assistant for today!"
Lynsandra crossed her arms, noticing Virgo enter through the front door. She ignored him and focused on Cassian. She was thinking of confronting Victor about the full moon, but she didn’t want to use Cassian for that.
"Cassian, why ask if you’re not going to accept the answer?" she tilted her head. "What event is it this time?"
Virgo’s brows twitched the moment he heard her ask.
Why ask when she knows she’s going to say no?
"Well, it’s my grandfather’s birthday. It’s a private gathering, so not many people will be there. My grandpa might be dead, but we still celebrate him. I want to introduce you to him."
"How?" She frowned. "Are you going to kill me so I can meet him?"
"What? No!" he panicked. "Lizzie, that’s not what I meant—"
"Pfft—"
Cassian frowned. "Lizzie, that’s not funny!"
"Finish your task today—whatever it is with the priest," she cleared her throat. "Then come to my office."
Cassian’s face lit up. "Really?"
"Move before I change my mind," she said.
He immediately jumped aside. As she headed for the door, Cassian called out behind her.
"See you later, Lizzie~!" He grinned, then froze. "Right, right. Morning prayer!"
He hurried off without wasting another second.
Meanwhile, Virgo rushed up beside her.
"You’re going with him?" he asked, surprised. "Luna, I think I’ve finally found someone you tolerate more than Minnie."
Lynsandra paused beside the car and turned to him. "I don’t tolerate Minnie, you are. Also, isn’t this harem meant for me to choose who I’ll marry? I’m giving everyone a fair chance."
"Oh." Virgo nodded slowly before opening the door for her. "Then good luck on your second date later."
She smiled and shrugged, about to get in, when she paused and looked back at him.
"Virgo, tell Cassian to keep his mouth shut. I don’t want a certain person hearing about it."
With that, she got into the car and shut the door. Virgo remained standing there, confused.
"Don’t want a certain person hearing about it?" he muttered. "Who?"
