After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 10

Waldo could already see how Catherine’s life was about to change. She’d be stuck in some tiny rental, stressing over every grocery run, pinching pennies just to make rent. He imagined her squeezed onto crowded buses and packed subways, tired and out of sorts, no trace of the confident woman she’d been. She wouldn’t be able to buy the dresses she liked or splurge on any fancy makeup.

It wouldn’t even take a year. Honestly, maybe not even six months before she realized how tough things could get, and when she did, she’d come back to him, tears in her eyes, finally understanding what she’d lost.

“Catherine, I’ll be here waiting for you,” Waldo muttered as he stepped into his apartment. He made his way to the bar, poured himself a whiskey, and let out a dry, bitter laugh. “You’ve never had to struggle, never had to weather a storm. You’ll never get how good you had it with me.”

Pulling out his phone, Waldo called his assistant. “Cancel all of Catherine’s credit cards.”

There was a pause. “Waldo, are you sure about that?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Just do it.”

Once he hung up, another thought crossed his mind. He scrolled through his contacts and called Nestor.

“Waldo, is that you? Did you find Catherine?” Nestor’s voice came through, tense with worry.

“Nestor, listen to me. I need you to stay calm, alright?” Waldo kept his tone even.

“What’s wrong? Is Catherine acting up again?” Nestor shot back, voice tight.

“It’s not that. She married the man who saved her last night.”

“Don’t worry, Waldo. I’ll call her right now and tell her to leave that man. She needs to come to her senses,” Nestor promised, frustration simmering in his voice.

Waldo waited a second, then added, “Nestor, if she refuses, I think the Blair family should stop supporting her financially for a while. Let her see what it’s like, maybe then she’ll realize we’re only trying to help.”

Nestor’s anger faded into agreement. “You’re right. She’s had it way too easy. Maybe it’s time she saw how the real world works. I won’t send her a single penny. Let’s see how long she can keep this up.”

After the call ended, Waldo’s phone buzzed again. Shirley’s name popped up on the screen.

He picked up, his voice softening. “Hey, Shirley. You’re up?”