From Broken to Beloved-Chapter 138- Who are you hiding from

Bert had actually just finished taking the photos. To cover it up, he had sat down on her bed. Now he looked at her with gentle eyes and a warm expression.

"All done?" he asked.

"Mm."

Catherine nodded and walked over. She was just about to suggest that they go back out to the living room—talking in the bedroom felt far too dangerous—when, before she could say a word, he tugged her toward him.

She stumbled and fell onto him.

Then he rolled over, pinning her beneath him, and a lingering, intimate kiss came down over her lips.

They had both had some wine. Between their lips lingered the faint aroma of red wine, mingled with the warmth of each other’s breath.

Bert was carrying a great deal in his heart that night—especially after his conversation with Renata.

So this kiss with Catherine inevitably carried more heat than usual, imbued with all the tenderness he had been holding back. Catherine stood no chance against it; she was completely lost—no, intoxicated—by his kiss.

When Bert’s hand tried to push up the hem of her top, Catherine hurriedly stopped him. Her eyes were hazy as she softly tried to hold him back.

"Don’t... not here. My mom could come back at any moment..."

If Renata returned unexpectedly and found them doing something like that in the room, Catherine would die of embarrassment.

What she didn’t realize was that the way she phrased it already implied her acceptance of doing it—just not here. And Bert immediately caught onto that, lowering his head to nip lightly at the corner of her lips.

"So that means it’s not allowed here," he murmured, "but somewhere else would be?"

He followed up without pause.

"Then how about coming to my place tomorrow?"

The desire and implication in his words were unmistakable. Catherine’s face flushed instantly, heat rushing to her cheeks. She opened her mouth to say something—but before she could, he kissed her again, sealing her lips and leaving her no chance to refuse.

Later, Catherine suggested that she and Bert go downstairs to look for Renata. After he mentioned going to his place the next day, she found she simply couldn’t be alone with him anymore. His gaze made her feel as though he might devour her whole—and just thinking about what they would do tomorrow at his place made her heart tremble uncontrollably.

When they went downstairs, Renata happened to be returning from her walk as well, accompanied by the woman from the first floor.

Catherine greeted the woman politely. Standing beside her, Bert also nodded lightly and said hello. Most of the time, Bert wasn’t particularly warm toward strangers, but he never neglected basic courtesy.

The woman took one look at the way Bert and Catherine were holding hands and immediately understood their relationship. She showered Bert with praise in Renata’s direction.

"Oh my, this must be Cici’s boyfriend, right? I often see a car coming to pick Cici up for work in the mornings. Now I finally see him in person—so handsome!"

Women of her age were always especially enthusiastic about such things.

"And he has such great presence too. You can tell he’s not an ordinary person. A big boss of some sort, right?"

Catherine felt a little awkward. Bert remained expressionless. Renata smiled gently.

"He’s not a big boss—he just runs a small company."

Renata was usually a very low-key person. She didn’t like showing off or drawing attention. If it had been someone else, with a daughter dating such an outstanding man, the whole neighborhood would have heard about it already, or they’d be praising him to everyone they met.

But Renata wasn’t that kind of person. She preferred a quiet, peaceful life, so she deliberately downplayed Bert’s wealth.

Catherine and Bert both understood Renata’s approach and said nothing.

Renata then looked at the two of them.

"Why did you come downstairs?"

Before Bert could answer, Catherine spoke first.

"Oh, he’s heading out."

Bert: "..."

He had absolutely no intention of leaving. He’d planned to accompany Renata back upstairs after her walk and stay a bit longer. Who would have thought Catherine would so bluntly usher him out?

Still, Bert understood her embarrassment. And thinking about their plans for the next day made warmth spread through him, his mood lifting instantly. So he went along with her words.

"Yes," he said smoothly. "It’s getting late. I’ll head off now."

Renata felt that it really was getting late, so she didn’t try to keep him any longer.

"Then head back early," she said.

She turned to Catherine again.

"Walk Bert out. I’ll go back upstairs first."

After Renata went up, Bert pressed his lips together and looked at Catherine. Feeling guilty, Catherine quickly averted her gaze.

"Didn’t you say your driver was coming to pick you up? It’s so cold—letting him finish early means he can rest sooner too."

It was a rather clumsy excuse.

Bert lifted an arm and pulled her into his embrace, lowering his head to murmur against her ear,

"Just wait and see how I deal with you tomorrow."

The chill hidden in his words was far too obvious. Catherine’s face flushed crimson at once.

Still holding her, Bert took out his phone and called the driver. The driver said he was already on the way and would arrive shortly.

After seeing Bert off, Catherine went back upstairs, the heat still lingering on her face. Renata glanced at her but said nothing.

Isn’t every couple in love like this? Bert’s words that night made Renata believe that he truly could give her daughter happiness. A man who knows gratitude and contentment is far more convincing than one who only makes grand, flowery promises.

After washing up, the mother and daughter were each getting ready for bed when the security door was suddenly knocked on loudly—bang, bang, bang. Catherine got out of bed to check and called out,

"Who is it?"

"It’s me!"

Riley’s voice came from outside. Catherine quickly went over and opened the door, only to see Riley rushing in with a small suitcase, bundled up in a thick down jacket.

"Oh my god, I’m freezing to death," Riley exclaimed.

Seeing her looking as though she’d run away from home, Catherine asked with concern,

"What’s going on with you—?"

Riley shrugged off her coat and unceremoniously flopped down onto Catherine’s sofa.

"I’m staying here for a few days."

Renata, hearing the commotion, came out wrapped in her robe. When she heard Riley say she would be staying for a few days, she asked with concern,

"What happened? Did you argue with your parents again?"

Although Riley was a girl, she had a very rebellious streak. She often clashed with the Du parents, and whenever she did, she’d run straight to Catherine’s place. Ironically, the Du family’s tall, burly son—who looked intimidating at first glance—was gentle and considerate, never upsetting their parents. The Du parents often joked that the siblings had been born with their temperaments switched.

But this time, Riley laughed and denied having fought with her parents.

"No, no. I’m hiding from someone," she said with a dry chuckle.

Then she waved casually at Renata.

"Renata, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. It’s late—go get some rest. I’ll just chat with Cici for a bit."

Since she’d said that much, Renata had no choice but to say nothing more and return to her room.

The two girls went into Catherine’s bedroom and closed the door. Riley immediately threw herself onto Catherine’s bed.

Catherine sat down by the edge of the bed, frowning at her.

"Who are you hiding from? Did you offend someone? Is there anyone in this world you’re actually afraid of?"

In Catherine’s memory, Riley was fearless—someone who feared neither heaven nor earth. She was naturally wild and impulsive, and after all these years with Duke backing her up, she’d grown even more reckless. There was practically no one who could make her hide like this.

"I—"

Riley looked at her, about to speak, then hesitated. In the end, she let out a long sigh, raised her hand to cover her face, and rolled over on the bed.

What was she supposed to say? How could she say it?

How could she admit that the man she’d originally planned to introduce to Catherine... she’d slept with?

Sleeping with him might’ve been one thing—but Ford had gone and insisted that she take responsibility for it.