After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 3

From this moment on, the version of Catherine who loved Waldo so much that she lost herself was gone, lost somewhere in that freezing ocean.

She took a deep breath, wiped the water from her face, and let her eyes harden. It was time to be herself again. The real Catherine.-

After showering, she stepped out in a big fluffy bathrobe. Her hair was dry now, falling softly over her shoulders. Her face was pale and clean, and there was something striking about her, a quiet kind of beauty that felt new.

Lawrence was standing by the window, staring out at the black water. He had a glass of warm water in his hand. When he heard her, he turned around and looked her over. He held out the glass. “Here, have some water.”

“Thanks.” Catherine took it and had a sip.

The room suddenly felt a little awkward. Neither of them seemed to know what to say.

Catherine bit her lip, thinking carefully. “Lawrence, about what happened earlier... thank you for saving me. And for going along with everything.”

She’d only acted that way to hurt Waldo, to make sure he understood she was gone for good.

Lawrence walked over and sat on the sofa, looking relaxed, but there was something about him that made him seem untouchable. “You don’t have to thank me. It wasn’t a big deal.”

Catherine felt a little wave of relief. At least he understood she’d been pretending, and he’d played along.

Then Lawrence looked at her and said, “I don’t usually agree to things like that.”

Catherine paused, caught off guard by his words. Was he saying it meant more to him?

“Lawrence, I…” For a second, she lost her cool.

“Are you changing your mind?” Lawrence’s gaze was steady, unreadable.

“I…” Catherine started, but then someone started banging on the door.

The knocking was loud and impatient. Whoever it was, they were angry.

She didn’t need to guess who it was.

Waldo tried to keep his voice steady. “The woman in your room is my fiancée. I’m here to take her back.”

“She’s a person, not something you can just claim. She makes her own decisions,” Lawrence said, completely cool.

Waldo didn’t care to argue with him. He leaned around and called out, “Catherine, come with me. Stop making a scene. I can explain everything—”

“Waldo.” Catherine stepped into view, cinching the bathrobe tighter. She looked nothing like the soaked girl from before. Now she was graceful and calm, almost untouchable.

Waldo knew exactly how beautiful she was.

“There’s nothing left to explain. When I was in the water, you had a choice. You didn’t choose me. That told me everything I need to know about where I stand with you.” Her voice was cold and steady.

Waldo tried to get past Lawrence, but Lawrence wouldn’t move, standing in front of her like a shield.

“Catherine, we’re engaged. Don’t you understand how much you mean to me?” Waldo said, voice tense and low.