A valentine's night

Catherina’s POV

My morals died the night he slammed me hard against the wardrobe and kissed me till I forgot whose air I was breathing.

Everything felt so wrong, but right at the same time. Maybe it was because I had longed for this moment. I had prayed for this moment even though it was forbidden.

Tears rolled down to my lips, mingling with the taste of tequila which was embedded on my tongue. His breath brushed over my skin and I shut my eyes, my grip tightening around his head like an anchor.

“Catherina, this isn't right,” I tried to remind myself over and over again. I tried to resist, but my body betrayed me and I found myself craving more of his touch.

His tongue wrestled for dominance in my mouth, his huge hands grabbing my butt cheeks.

The more I thought about what led me to this action, the more my brain justifies every bit of what I was doing.

I had tried to bury this part of me, but no matter how hard I tried to, the emotions kept flooding past. Maybe this was fate; to be by my stepfather's side for eternity. Or maybe… this was just lust.

I tightened my eyes, the memories of what happened before I dragged myself into my stepfather's mansion flickering in my mind.

Today was supposed to be my wedding anniversary; a night when I should be bathed with compliments and kisses. A night when I should be reminded that I was a perfect wife. I had built this relationship from scratch after I had locked up the emotions I had for the one man who was never mine… at least, that was what I convinced myself.

I had stayed all day at work, thinking about what my spouse would have prepared for me today.

Today was Valentine’s Day… and also my wedding anniversary.

One whole year since I said yes to Williams.

Who would believe that the guy I met on Hex;the same dating app I downloaded out of boredom and impulse—would become my husband?

He had overlooked my flaws… every single one. Even the ones I couldn't forgive myself for. And somehow, he became everything a perfect man should be.

I smiled faintly,my lips trembling, when I remembered the nights I had ignored his texts… when I had silenced his calls… all because I was chasing ghosts—because I was drowning in fantasies of a man who never even reached for me.

My stepfather.

And yet… I had chosen love. I had chosen Williams. I had chosen peace.

And, I never regretted it.

I tidied up my work slowly, almost like I didn’t want to leave. Not because I didn’t want to go home,but because my heart was beating too fast. Too loud. I wasn’t ready for what waited behind the front door.

I said goodnight to my colleagues with a soft smile, hailed an Uber, and rode in silence, fingers twitching over my bag the entire time.

A few minutes later, I arrived at my sanctuary;Home. I stepped out of the car, heels sinking slightly into the damp gravel. My palms were wet, my breath coming in short haggard gasps. Nervousness made me stand at the door for a long time, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“Williams?” I called softly, pushing the door open. “Babe?”

The house was weirdly quiet, devoid of life. I called again and all I got as a response was the echo of my voice. Something seemed to be off, but I brushed the thoughts aside immediately. Maybe he wanted it to be a surprise. Maybe the magic waited just behind the bedroom door.

I walked slowly, each click of my heel echoing louder than my thoughts. The air was scented with something soft and warm. Like vanilla and sandalwood, or maybe citrus.

I dragged my already exhausted feet across the room to the bedroom's door, my fingers curling around the door's knob. I let out a shaky breath and then pushed the door open.

The room was dark. My hand instinctively reached for the switch and I pressed it, the lights flickering on immediately.

My breathing hitched instantly, my eyes widening in surprise as a gasp escaped my slightly parted lips.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered to myself.

Before me were crimson and deep pink rose petals scattered across the floor, surrounding a circle of glowing candles, their faint trail of perfume dancing through the air.

My visit blurred as tears rolled down my eyes, my knees buckling beneath me. The tears weren't from sadness. This was love. This was meant to be cherished.

“My God,” I gasped, clutching my lips with my palm as my gaze rested on the wall.

On the wall, written in elegant italic letters, was a message that weakened my body.

“To the woman who gave me light in my darkness—Happy Anniversary, my forever.”

My lips quivered as I read the words out loud, voice cracking.

He had done all this. For me? Everything felt fictional. It felt like this wasn't reality.

Tears spilled freely now. I couldn’t stop them if I tried. I didn't need to try. I let the emotions overwhelm me, my gaze darting around the beautifully arranged room.

And then—my phone buzzed.

I blinked. I reached for my purse and yanked out my phone. I got a notification, a message from Williams.

“I hope you loved the room. Your night isn’t over yet. I’m waiting for you at the Beach Hotel. Come spend the rest of our Valentine night with me. Room 304. Wear something red.”

I smiled to myself, brushing the last tear off my cheek.

Tonight, I would bless the day I met Williams. The man who made me feel like I belonged. Like I was enough.

I opened my wardrobe, scanning through a dozen outfits before settling on the one—the red silk dress that hugged my frame like it was sewn onto my skin. A dress that made my curves visible. It was sewed to do nothing but seduce, command attention and start a filthy conversation.

Sliding the fabric over my body, I let out a breath.

I picked up my lipstick and dragged it across my lips slowly. After I was done smoothing the lipstick on my lips, I stared at the silver coated mirror and all I could see was a goddess. A seductive goddess.

But still… I wanted to surprise him. So, I walked over to the small cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey. A single shot—just enough to awaken the wild inside me. Then I grabbed the champagne I’d planned to bring along and headed out the door, heart thudding with excitement.

The Uber ride to the hotel was slow. Despite how the driver was speeding through the narrow streets, I felt like he was moving slowly and hell, I wanted him to move above his speed limit.

I let my thoughts drift far, thinking of the way I'd walk in. The way I'd smile. The way he'd look at me like I was the only woman in the world. I was ready to give him the best night.

A few hours later, we arrived at the hotel. My heels clicked against the marble floor of the Beach Hotel as I entered. The concierge smiled politely, but I barely noticed. My heart had taken full control now.

Room 304.

I traced the numbers with trembling fingers until I found the door.

And then—I heard it.

Jazz.

It was smooth and sensual. The kind of music that melts the heart and makes every skin crave another skin. The perfect atmosphere for romance. For us.

I adjusted the neckline of my dress, brushed a curl from my face, and steadied my grip on the champagne bottle.

I took a deep breath before I opened the door…and I froze. My lips trembling slightly, my eyes widening in horror as I witnessed the scene which unfolded before me.

There he was—Williams—pinning a woman against the wall, his body pressed into hers as he thrusted her. He kissed her neck, her legs wrapped around his waist. His hands rested hungrily on her bare thighs, his pants hanging loosely on his hips.

“Fuck,” she moaned. The sound she made was loud, raw and real.

I stood there, my feet rooted to the floor as I blinked rapidly as if my brain was taking longer to interpret what my eyes fed it.

No. This had to be a hallucination. Some sort of a joke. Maybe this was a result of the whiskey I'd taken earlier. It had to be.

Time slowed as the champagne slipped from my fingers, the glass shattering against the tiled floor, sending it's fragments in every direction, the liquid pooling on my feet.

Every sound turned muffled, my lips slowly parting. And still, they didn’t stop.

Not until her eyes widened and she pushed at his chest with a gasp, covering herself. Only then did he turn his head toward me.

His eyes met mine…and he smirked? He brushed the strand of hair lying on his face, his grin widening.

“Oh,” he said, adjusting his grip on the woman as if I had only interrupted a casual phone call. “Look who decided to ruin the party.”

My knees buckled beneath me, my stomach churning with dread. This can't be happening.

I tried to convince myself that I was in the wrong room. Yes, that was the only excuse I could come up with.

I felt the world around me spin, the tears I'd been fighting to hold back, rolling

down my eyes. I tried to speak, but the words got stuck in my throat, my throat tightening and all I could whisper was…

“Williams?”