Page 40 of Monster in Disguise

"I'll agree, on one condition. I want to meet with her first, to see if she's truly willing," I say, my pulse quickening with anticipation at the mere possibility of being in her presence again.

Enzo considers my request for a moment before nodding in agreement. As he stands up to leave, he adds one last thing. "If this weren't so important, I would never have allowed her to go through with this."

Alone now in the quiet of the office, I try to steady my breathing. In and out. Catalina... the girl who had captured my heart over a decade ago. Just as her image begins to flood my mind, there's a knock at the door.

"Come in." I try to keep my voice even as she enters the room. Her nervousness is evident as she tucks a strand of raven hair behind her ear. She looks different yet still so familiar. Time seems to have stood still for her. Her face is pale and freckled,and her eyes are just as expressive as I remember. But there's no hint of recognition in them.

"Catalina," I greet her, trying to maintain a calm facade while my heart races at the sight of her.

"My brother must have told you the circumstances," she says, her hands neatly folded in her lap as if trying to hide any nervousness.

"He has," I reply, attempting to focus on the conversation and not let my emotions get the better of me.

But she makes me nervous too. If only she knew how much she still affects me after all these years. I can't help but almost chuckle at the thought.

I try to maintain a cool facade and gauge her true feelings towards the arranged marriage.

"Are you in agreement with this match?" I inquire, and she nods briskly.

"Yes," she responds, but then a crease forms between her brows. "But first, there's something I must tell you. You can decide if you still want me after." I hide my inner turmoil and wait for her revelation, hoping it's not what I fear it might be...

"I'm not..." She starts to say, but stops herself. "I'm not pure," she confesses, looking at me with hesitance, expecting me to judge her. How could I? My own actions are so monstrous, so abhorrent that if she knew the truth, she wouldn't look at me with such understanding in her big, luminous eyes.

"That doesn't matter to me," I force out the words.

"But that's not all. I have a daughter..." She continues, and my mind flashes back to what Enzo had told me. The priest had violated her daughter. A red haze clouds my vision and I must take deep breaths to remain composed.

"Enzo mentioned that," I state simply.

"I refuse to be separated from her." It would be unthinkable for Catalina to leave her daughter behind. Despite being a monster myself, even I am not capable of such cruelty.

But then... I must ask. "How old is your daughter?"

"She's nine and a half. She's very well-behaved; she won't cause any trouble for you," she explains, and my hand grips the armrest tightly. Nine years old... so grown up. I turn away so she cannot see the emotion in my eyes.

Catalina has a daughter. A nine-year-old daughter. Is that why she disappeared?

"What is her name?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Claudia." The name echoes in my mind.

"Very well. You and Claudia will have nothing to fear," I assure her. With my name, I will make sure that no one can harm them ever again.

"It's not... a problem?" Did she really think I'd care about that?

"No. I have a younger sister at home. They aren't that far off in age and could get along." She seems relieved at my words.

But I need to take advantage of this to let her know the terms of the marriage.

"However," I start, "I also have some ground rules. That's why I asked Enzo to let me talk to you beforehand." I'd also wanted to see her reaction. But now? How can I in good faith take advantage of her... when there's so much wrong with me?

How I loathe my past, and the baggage that makes me so bad for her. And yet, I could never find it in myself to refuse her. Not her... never her.

"This will be a marriage in name only. I will give you my name, and I will provide for you and Claudia. You will not want for anything. You will be given your own room in the house. How you spend your time is up to you. I will only impose on you if there is an event we are invited to, or if we are hosting one."

"That is fine with me." She seems stunned at my list of requirements, but she immediately agrees with all of them.

"And one last thing. Don't touch me." I need to add this. For my peace of mind. And yet... if only I could bear someone's touch... that someone would be her.

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