Powerful Love

Catherine stared at the phone, her chest tightening with a swirl of emotions—hope, fear, anger, and longing, all tangled together. The world seemed to blur around her, the grandeur of the mansion and the watchful eyes of the guard fading into the background.

Her thumb hovered over the screen. Should she answer? Did she want to hear his voice again? Could she handle it?

The phone continued to ring, each chime pounding against her resolve.

With a deep breath, she swiped to answer, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her.

"Hello?"

A beat of silence, then—

"Yes, Catherine…?" Harold's voice held hesitation, uncertainty. "It's Harold. Harold Braddock." His words were hurried, as if he were afraid she'd hang up before he could finish. "Please… can you spare me a minute of your time?"