The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 86

It was the middle of the night. Just the thought of a man and a woman alone together, even with a single door between them, made Adelina uneasy. She wasn’t about to let that happen.

“There’s still some work left,” Catherine said, using the excuse of shuffling through her paperwork to straighten her shirt.

Adelina pressed her lips together and walked over to Lance. “Lance, can’t this wait till tomorrow?”

Lance rubbed his brow, the veins on his hand standing out. “I need it ready for tomorrow.”

Hearing that, Adelina dragged a chair closer. “Then I’ll stay and help keep you company.”

She shot Catherine a suspicious look. Catherine just kept her head down, focusing on her files, a strand of hair falling across the page. The lamp made her fair skin glow, with a soft blush along her cheeks. Her features were so perfect it was almost unreal.

Adelina was sure Catherine had stayed behind on purpose, trying to get closer to Lance.

“Enough. You both can go back,” Lance said, his voice raw and tired.

Catherine could feel Adelina’s jealousy from across the room. As soon as Lance spoke, she gathered her files, set them down, and left.

Behind her, Adelina called out, “Then I’ll stay with you, Lance.”

“It’s not good for you to stay up so late,” Lance said, trying to sound gentle. “Go back to your room. I’ll sleep when I’m done.”

Catherine closed the suite door behind her. The hallway lights glowed across the patterned carpet, muffling her footsteps as she walked to her room.

She slipped off her heels and collapsed on the sofa, feeling exhaustion seep into her bones. But the moment she lay down, her mind snapped awake. She couldn’t sleep, no matter how tired she was.

Everything was quiet, but she kept imagining the sound of a man and woman flirting, voices drifting through the walls. It was a softer, more affectionate side of Lance that she’d never heard before. The imaginary sound clung to her, echoing in her ears.

She crawled into bed and tried to hide under the covers, but it was no use. The thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone.

Adelina was clearly hanging around Lance to keep an eye on Catherine. The risk wasn’t Lance finding out about the baby. The real problem was if Adelina or the James family ever figured it out.

“Don’t worry. I haven’t had a single moment of doubt about leaving Cabinda,” Catherine said, gripping the edge of her blanket, her eyes steady and determined.

They talked until nearly sunrise before ending the call.

Catherine was so tired she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

She didn’t know how long she’d been out before the doorbell started ringing nonstop. She opened her eyes to find sunlight streaming through the window. It was already ten o’clock.

She jumped up and rushed to the door.

“I’m so sorry, Lance. I overslept.”