Chapter 1041:

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Amanda reached for Cathryn’s hand and held it, her eyes carrying both admiration and a deep, quiet sorrow. Cathryn was young — and yet she had handled the pregnancy of her husband’s mistress with restraint, and now dismantled a calculating nightclub escort with calm intelligence. This kind of composure didn’t come from talent alone. It came from years of learning to read people, to survive through careful observation. She was a remarkable woman. How could Andrew have been so careless with her?

Amanda shot Andrew a cold, withering look.

He dropped his gaze. “I was set up. I didn’t touch her.”

Amanda scoffed. “If you hadn’t gone to that nightclub, would she ever have had the opportunity to make such accusations?”

Andrew had no answer to give.

In the past, Amanda would have found some way to soften an argument between the two of them. Now she simply turned to Cathryn and said, “Damien made a mistake and hurt you deeply. I won’t defend him this time.”

Cathryn was moved by the words. She offered Amanda a gentle smile. “Damien and I can withstand this. Please don’t worry.”

Amanda tightened her grip on her hand.

Cathryn looked toward the doorway. “Gavin, would you bring some ointment? I’ll tend to Andrew’s injuries.”

𝗗і𝗌𝗰ov𝗲𝘳 𝗇𝗲𝘸 𝘴t𝗈ri𝗲s 𝗼𝗻 𝗀a𝘭𝘯о𝘷𝘦𝘭𝗌.𝗰𝘰𝘮

The tension in Amanda’s face softened. Cathryn still cared for him — which meant her anger, however justified, hadn’t swallowed her whole.

“Please don’t go back to Azure Vista,” Amanda said quietly. “Stay here with me.”

Cathryn gave a small nod. She had no desire to share a room with Andrew. But she would stay, for Amanda’s sake.

Later that night, Cathryn entered the bedroom with the ointment in hand.

Andrew sat on the edge of the bed, his upper body bare, studying his reflection in the mirror.

Dark bruises spread across his back in overlapping layers, raw and discolored. Amanda had shown absolutely no restraint.

Cathryn’s eyes moved over the damage and something shifted in them — though she kept her expression composed. She set the ointment on the bedside table and said flatly, “You can manage it yourself.”

Andrew rose from the bed and reached out, catching her hand.

Cathryn pulled her hand back on pure reflex. She was still deeply in love with Andrew — but every time her mind conjured an image of him with Kyla, her body recoiled as though physically ill.

Andrew wanted to say he was sorry. But she had already made it clear she was finished hearing empty apologies, and beyond that, he didn’t know what words to offer.

Cathryn met his eyes. “Did you go to that nightclub because you think I’m too boring in bed? Did you think only an escort could give you what you want?”

Andrew stared at her. “Cathryn — where is this coming from?”

A cold smile touched her lips. “Isn’t it true?”

“I was upset after our argument and went out to clear my head,” Andrew said. “That woman let herself into my private booth and sat down uninvited. We exchanged a few words. That was all.”

Cathryn’s gaze didn’t soften. “A few words — and yet she somehow knows your nickname?”

“She offered to answer my questions in exchange for my name. I couldn’t give her my real name — I thought she was just a stranger I’d never encounter again — so I gave her the nickname instead.”

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