After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 150

Catherine spotted Lawrence at the utility sink, sleeves rolled up and hands deep in the soapy water. The sight hit her so hard she almost wanted to disappear. Her face went hot and she wished the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.

She thought to herself, from now on, she’d handle the laundry. They were married now. No housekeeper, just the two of them. Stuff like this didn’t matter anymore. That was just how life was.

A little while later, Lawrence came out and found her sitting on the sofa, lost in thought. He grinned at her. “Wanna go swing for a bit?”

Catherine lit up. She jumped to her feet, grabbed his hand, and said, “Only if you push me.”

The golden evening sun poured over them as Catherine sat on the swing, laughing while Lawrence pushed her from behind. His hands were steady and warm. When she tipped her head back, she could see the streaks of sunset across the sky and a glimpse of his handsome face behind her.

At five thirty, Lawrence’s phone rang. It was his mom calling.

“Dinner’s ready. Let’s walk over,” he told Catherine.

“Sounds good,” she replied. She loved these walks with him.

***

Across town, in the CEO’s office at The James Group, Shirley sat stiffly on Waldo’s couch, dressed in an expensive suit, her face shadowed with defeat.

Waldo handed her a cup of tea. “Don’t let this get you down. Resonance AI still needs you. The project isn’t over yet.”

Shirley gripped her cup, her voice low. “I messed up. I couldn’t win back Project Apex Initiative for you.” She bit her lip, frustration written all over her face.

“We can’t underestimate Catherine anymore,” Waldo said, his eyes flickering with something complicated.

Shirley didn’t hesitate. “I saw her with Lawrence at the airport today. They looked… really close.”

Waldo’s expression turned cold.

If she hadn’t pushed Catherine into the sea, if Lawrence hadn’t shown up, Catherine would be living the dream life now—spoiled, adored, rich beyond imagination.

But fate had other plans.

Catherine ended up with Lawrence, a man with little money but a lot of heart, and she fell for him hard. Now she was willing to live simply, as long as she was with him.

Even with all of Waldo’s money and power, Catherine wasn’t coming back.

“Waldo, you can always count on me. I’ll stay by your side, no matter what,” Shirley said, letting every word hang between them. Her eyes shone with real feeling.

Waldo smiled, just barely. “Shirley, you’ve always been like a little sister to me.”

Shirley’s smile froze. Her fingers tightened around her cup until her knuckles turned white. Sister? The word echoed in her mind, sharp and bitter.