Here it is another chapter.

Happy reading

**********

Present...

"What are you saying?" Coltrane was confused by her words. Catherine smiled at them.

"I am congratulating you for marriage" She repeated as her face remained impassive.

"Stop joking around. Was it her who kidnapped you? Did she say something to you?" He asked, almost panicking.

"No. It was me who left you" Catherine said softly.

"What are you implying?" Coltrane lasked, grabbing her shoulder and looking straight at her.

"I am sorry, I ran away from this marriage," Catharine said, looking down.

"I am sorry I break your heart." Her voice above a whisper. Cassandra stared at her as Catherine said those words. She should be happy right?

Coltrane was getting hurt the way she did in the past, but she did not feel happy or relieved.

"Why?" He asked Catherine, his voice betraying him . His hand slipped from her shoulder. He creates some distance between them.

"I can't, I just can't get through with it" Catherine looked down for a while before looking straight at him in the eyes.

"Don't you love me?" Coltrane asked, his voice cold.

" I do love you it's just not like that. I tried you know but I can't. I can't do this to you to me to us" Catherine averted her eyes from him. He stood still before uttering a "Why?"

"I just can't. You don't know how much guilt I felt all the time I spend with you, knowing that my sister loves you," she mumbled

"What?" Cassandra stared at Catherine when he said 'what'

"I can't do this to her and the fact that I don't..." Catherine did not get to finish her words. Coltrane snapped before she could after hearing the words he never wanted to hear, not from her at least.

"Is it my fault that she loves me?" He asked, gritting his teeth.

"I despise the fact that I am being loved by her" Coltrane spat, turning to Cassandra.

"So, You did break your promise" He glared at her with hatred.

"I never said anything about that to her" Cassandra said nonchalantly as if what both of them said did not bother her at all.

"What's going on here?" A voice can be heard from inside.

"Stay out of this," Coltrane snapped.

"It's not her fault. I told you I am the culprit. At least listen to my words" Catherine stood up and tried to stop them.

"So, you fucking lied to me" Coltrane slammed his fist beside Cassandra against the door who glare back at him.

"In which part of I did not say anything, You don't get?" Cassandra snapped.

"Catherine I don't love her trust me I don't, what happened was a mistake?" Coltrabe said, trying to hold his anger.

" It's not that. It's just I don't want to marry you" Catherine said worriedly.

"So, she begged you right? Begged you to give me and you did?" Coltrane turned and stared at Catherine who returned his stare, " That's not it. I can't marry you. I don't love you that way and marriage is out of question. I won't love you knowing that my sister loves you too. It's not her fault let her go" he snapped hearing the words from her mouth not once but twice.

"Then why did you date me?" Coltrane asked her rather calmly. Catherine looked down frozen in her place.

"What is it? Why are you not saying anything?" He growled staring at her.

"Because I told her to date you. I told her to pity you. I wanted you to feel the same despair that I felt" Cassandra chuckled coldly.

"That's not true, what are you saying? I didn't have any option..." Catherine said her eyes widened in horror.

When Coltrane grabbed Cassandra cheeks tightly.

"Does it hurt?" Cassandra whispered in his ear.

"So, it's always you right? Because of you I am suffering. You want me to feel despair right. I will make you feel how despair actually feels" Coltrane glares at her when eyes flash with something akin to hurt or pain.

"Do you think I care what happened to me?" Cassandra mocked him.

"Good because from now on you will be Catherine Rosella Wartmart till the day you die" he said out loud Cassandra stiffen up.

"No. You promised to let me go" she struggled to get away from him.

"If I remember correctly I said I will let you go if I get her" Coltrane smirked coldly. The tint of madness still resides in his eyes.

"What the hell is happening?" Austin asked after seeing the exchange. Catherine stood there not blinking her eyes this is the first time she saw him this way, The Coltrane Flynn Mayor everyone feared.

But the words Cassandra said,"Because I told her to date you. I told her to pity you. I wanted you to feel the same despair that I felt"

Cassandra tried to protect his heart. She said those cold words because Cassandra did not want his heart to break more than it already is.

'You don't know what you have, Coltrane. I don't want you to lose that please don't hurt her' Catherine prayed.

"Wait stop it. Let her go" Coltrane didn't hear Austin words dragging her forcefully. Cassandra let herself dragged. Face emotionless, she smiled at Austin.

"It's alright" mouthing at him, smiling softly at him freezing Austin in his place.

Coltrane shoved Cassandra inside the car slamming the door. She stayed silent not once protesting against him. He sat in the car and drove off as fast as possible. His eyes spitting fire, he glared at her with condemn, hatred and anger.

*************

Austin blinked back to reality, his eyes flashing with hurt before he did his job as a doctor.

"You need to rest, Ms.Walmart" Austin said, even though he wanted to go after Cassandra he held onto that urge.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Catherine asked as a tear trailed down her eye.

"I am on duty, Ms.Walmart" Austin sharply said, turning to leave.

Catherine took her seat on her bed, she wanted to talk to Jeremy. She needs to see Jeremy.

"Can you contact Jeremy?" She asked Austin.

"I can't" He walked away.

Catherine sat there, when her thoughts wandered to a distant memory.

Past..

"Where have you been?" Carina stood in front of the hall glaring at her. Catherine's smile vanished, she stiffen up keeping her posture straight.

"I broke my phone so I got a lift from my friend," Catherine said.

"Who?" Carina asked to inspect her.

'Jeremy' his name was on her tongue but she held back knowing her mother. Jeremy will suffer without any reason just because he tried to befriend her.

"....Coltrane" she lied and her eyes looked anywhere but her mother.

"Good now get up your etiquette teacher is waiting for you" Carina nodded in approval, knowing who Coltrane is.

"I... I don't want to learn etiquette" Catherine said, looking straight at her mother. After hearing Jeremy's word, she decided at least she could try to change a bit.

"What did you say?" Mrs.Walmart asked.

"I don't want to become your image of a proper lady," Catherine said, closing her eyes.

"Did you forget the deal?" Carina gripped her chin.

"Do you want Cassandra to be homeschooled ?" Catherine's eyes widen. Cassandra was smiling and giggling, she was happy for once. How could she do this to her little sister? Is it worth it? All she needs to do is follow her mother's order, She can do this. It is worth Cassandra's freedom.

"Why always bring her up? Why do you hate her? Why can't you leave her alone?" Catherine asked as a tear trail down her eye but she held on to them.

"You really want to see whether I can or not?" Carina looked at her coldly, not answering any of her questions.

"No, I will do as you say" Catherine walked up the staircase doing what her mother wants. The freedom she was feeling vanished in a thin air. She wanted to see Jeremy again and smile freely.

The next day...

"Why the fuck are you fighting again?" Jeremy asked them as both Coltrane and Cassandra was fighting over something he have no idea.

"What it's her fault? She started" Coltrane glared at Cassandra pushing his finger in front of her face.

"Oh! really You are the one who said It's alright to do that. You started" Cassandra slammed her hand on the desk before pointing at his face.

"What are you guys doing fighting like little kids?" Jeremy growled, silencing them before they fought more and the student started betting on who would win.

"He started," Cassandra said.

"She started," Coltrane said at the same time.

Jeremy sighed sitting in his seat saying "continue".

"Keep quiet all of you" hearing Mr.McCarthy voice they all make peace for now sitting in their place.

"Someone transferred from elite class to regular" Mr.McCarthy said.

Whispers can be heard throughout the class.

"She will be your classmate from now on. Miss come and greet them"

"My name is Catherine Walmart'' She said her eyes wandered searching for the familiar faces. . As the classes are divided based on family status quo among regular and elite. The elite likes this discrimination while the regulars never tried to discriminate. Catherine feels like she can stay here without being an outcast.

"You can go sit beside..." her eyes landed on Jeremy, who winked at her playfully. Her eyes widened and she looked away.

"Mayor"

"Huh?" Catherine looked at the teacher.

"Go seat beside Coltrane" she nodded her head and made her way to seat beside him.

The class continued on as they held their curiosity to ask questions.

"Ah! At last" Jeremy stood up stretching his body. Even though the class ended Catherine stiffly stared ahead not bending behind to see them.

"So, what are we going to do?" Cassandra asked Coltrane who rubbed his head.

"Let's go talk to them," Coltrane said.

"Jeremy, Do you want to go?" Cassandra asked Jeremy, whose brow furrowed.

"No" Jeremy shakes his head.

"See you later Cath" Coltrane said before dragging Cassandra behind him.

Jeremy bent ahead, "why are you sitting stiffly?" He whispered in her ears.

Catherine jumped up only to hear a chuckle.

"We have a class off. Here the schedule" Jeremy handed her the paper.

"So, Are you wearing white..?" he whispered, not completing his words.

"Jeremy" Catherine yelled.

"What? " He laughed, she turned red.

"I will punch you if you bring that up again" Catherine said.

"Go ahead" Jeremy smirked. She did push him slightly.

"Ouch I am hurt, I need to go to hospital" he rubbed where she touched.

Catherine smiled, giggling a bit

"On a serious note I need to follow those idiots" Jeremy mumbled.

"Will you come with me?" He asked her.

"No" Catherine smiled as he walked out hurriedly.

*************

Present...

Catherine blinked her eyes, 'this is not the time to reminisce about past"

She needs to do something before Coltrane does something hurtful. But how could she help them?Tears of frustration filled her eyes, She should have followed them.

Catherine wiped her tears and stood up making her way out of the hospital. She cannot sit here and waste more time.

Lisa stared at her eyes widened, "You can't go out" Catherine walked out without hearing her words. She rushed out without noticing the car.

"Where are you going?" Catherine looked up to the person getting out of the car.

"Jeremy" She shakily stood up on her legs and moved towards him. Without thinking about the result of her actions Catherine hugged him tightly sobbing uncontrollably. Jeremy stiffened up, as much as her body against him filled him with a nostalgic feeling. He pushed her away stepping back.

"What happened?" Jeremy asked her.

"F..find ..find Coltrane... He he.looked angry. He will hurt Cassandra" Catherine said a bit hurt as he pushed her away.

"What are you talking about?" He looked at her confused.

"You don't know," She asked, confused. What is he doing here?

"I got just a voice message from Coltrane saying he found out about the number and he is going to the clinic" Jeremy glared at her.

"It's my fault" Catherine mumbled out as her breathing returned to normal.

"What do you mean?" He asked her.

"I will tell you everything but please find them. He will hurt Cassandra" Catherine grabbed his hand holding tightly.

"Let go" Jeremy snatched his hand away and tears stung her eyes at his cold behavior.

He fetches his phone dialing Coltrane's cell only to hear it's out of reach. He then called his subordinate, "I want you to track Coltrane''

"Now" Jeremy ordered, staring at the woman wearing a hospital gown, naked legs filled with scratches might be from the fall.

"Ms.Walmart you can't go out" Lisa came running behind her.

"You need to rest and take care of the baby" Lisa the receptionist blurted out. Jeremy froze hearing her words.

"What?" He blinked his eyes and wondered whether he heard something wrong. If he heard it right then please don't answer.

"Please" Catherine's eyes widen in horror.

"Ms.Walmart is pregnant" Lisa said smiling almost congratulating him but his face visibly paled.

"Huh?" Jeremy didn't know how to react. Every nerve is screaming at him she is pregnant. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath

"Did you tell him that?" Jeremy asked her, clearing his throat unconsciously, almost choking.

"No," Catherine looked down, not knowing how to answer his question.

"Why?" That came out almost as an exclamation. Why?

Why is asking that? It's her choice.

Catherine's eyes stayed glued to the road," I can't tell y..you" she said pleasingly, not answering him.

"Why?" Jeremy asked. Why can't she tell him? It's not like his heart is breaking. A bitterness filled him.

"Can you please take me out of here?" Catherine asked pleasingly.

"First answer me" Jeremy asked, trying to hide his desperation and stared at her firmly.

"I won't" She firmly shook her head.

"Why?" Jeremy glared at her as she was pushing him to the edge.

Catherine stayed silent, tears falling from her eyes and neither answering or moving. Lisa tried to explain to her how important it is to take care but she was not hearing her.

Jeremy sighed when she didn't answer he stopped questioning her not that he had any right to question. This was not his privilege to ask. Now he needs to find Coltrane and give him the good news so that all the mess settles down and he can get away as soon as possible.

"I will find him " Jeremy said, gulping down painfully. This is bad. He needs to get away from her as fast as he can.

"Take care of yourself" He said coldly before going back in his car. Catherine's eyes widened at his words, she smiled a bit.

"Wait" She ran behind him, grabbing his hand. She did it unconsciously

"Please, Don't touch me" he grit his teeth trying not to snap at her. But Catherine didn't let go instead hold on to him for her dear life. She presses her head against his hand, tears soaked his shirt.

"Can you give us a moment?" Jeremy asked Lisa who stood there frozen.

"Yes" she nodded her head going back inside the clinic at her stationed post.

Jeremy slowly but steadily removed his hand from her hold, "Why can't you tell him?" He asked again.

"Come with me and tell Coltrane, all this mess will end. You can go back to his side" Jeremy said as much as it hurts him. He has no claim over her and now that she is pregnant.

He created some distance between them.

Catherine felt shocked at his coldness.

"I c..can't" she whispered.

"What do you mean?" Jeremy sharply analyzes her before asking a question.

A question he never thought he needed to ask her, "Who is the father?"

Catherine bite her lips holding back a sob.

"Who is the father? Catherine" He asked her coldly.

She looked at him and tears fell one after another like a waterfall.

"Are you going to tell me or not? And stop crying damn it" Jeremy gritted his teeth grabbing her hand moving her face forward. Her eyes widen and she struggles in his arms. He was always cold to her after that incident but he never manhandled her.

"Who is he?" Jeremy asked, his anger rising as she struggled.

"I can't tell you that," She yelled.

"I think your mother would like to know," Jeremy said coldly as he dragged her inside his car.

"No, let me go" Catherine's struggle increased when he started the car.

"I won't go to that house. Never, open the door, Jeremy" She yelled banging the glass window of the car. To her horror Jeremy stopped the car in front of her house.

"Get out," He said.

"Please, I run away from here." Catherine stares at him, pleadingly not to let her go. He unlocked the door. She stared at him.

"Then, tell me who he is?" Jeremy asked, staring ahead, not letting her pleasing eyes affect him.

Catherine gulped down and got out of his car. He drove off. She stared at him disappearing.

"You are the father, Jeremy" She whispered.

*********

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Until next time...