After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 41

Catherine sat quietly in the passenger seat, totally lost in her own world. She kept glancing down at the plain diamond ring on her finger, her lips curled in a small, contented smile.

“You know, you could’ve picked something fancier,” Lawrence said as he focused on the road. “I could easily—”

“I don’t want anything else,” Catherine cut in, her voice gentle but firm. “This ring is perfect. It’s simple, just like I wanted. It marks the beginning of our marriage, and that’s enough for me.”

Lawrence glanced over, a warm smile tugging at his mouth. “That’s a pretty good reason.”

***

By noon, Waldo had dropped Shirley off at home. When they walked inside the villa, he spotted Nestor in the living room with a cup of tea. Waldo headed over right away. “Nestor.”

“Waldo, you’re back.”

Waldo sat down, frustration written all over his face. “You’ll never guess who I ran into just now.”

“Who?” Nestor looked up, eyebrows raised.

Waldo’s eyes narrowed, a mix of disbelief and irritation flickering across his face. “Catherine and Lawrence. I saw them at the jewelry store. He couldn’t even afford a proper wedding ring for her.”

Nestor’s face darkened, his anger barely contained. “Are you serious?”

“I saw it myself,” Waldo said, jaw clenched. “If people hear about this, how are you supposed to—”

“Catherine is just doing this to spite us,” Nestor snapped, slamming his palm against the table.

Shirley, who had been quietly listening, set down her purse and walked over to calm him. “Dad, don’t work yourself up. Catherine’s just mixed up right now.”

Nestor shook his head, fuming. “Mixed up? She’s twenty-four. Does she still think she’s a kid? How could she let herself sink so low?”

Shirley quietly peeled some fruit nearby, not looking up, but a flash of resentment appeared in her eyes.

She silently wished Catherine would actually stand her ground, marry Lawrence for real, and never return to this house—or to Waldo.

Waldo lowered his gaze, hiding a satisfied smile. Nestor’s promise was exactly what he wanted.

“Thank you. I’ll wait for your news,” Waldo said, his tone sincere. “I’m not giving up on Catherine. Not just because she married someone else.”

Nestor nodded, looking convinced. Waldo’s love for Catherine was obvious to everyone.

And Lawrence? In Nestor’s eyes he was nothing. Just a nobody who wanted Catherine for her looks.

Waldo, on the other hand, had it all—good family, talent, and genuine respect for the Blair Group. Where else could Nestor find a son-in-law like him?