Page 217 of The Catalyst

I show no emotion. “My phone was shattered in the ordeal. I’ve yet to get a replacement. As you know, I’ve been in a treatment facility, and we’re not allowed to leave once we enter. My only connection to the outside world was my companion, and he didn’t care to speak to you.”

That was a lie. My phone was shattered during my attack, but Ollie got it replaced. That replacement is in Martin’s possession.

That’s another thing I’ll have to do. I need my phone back, but a part of me is worried about what I’ll find when I see Martin. I told him to move on and forget about me.

What if he did?

Nolan hums in response before walking over to me. It’s completely unintentional that I flinch when he gets within three feet of me. I’ll need to nip that reaction in the bud as quickly as possible.

The only reaction he gives is his eyes widening for a split second before he clears his throat.

“How…are you feeling?” he asks.

It takes everything in me not to yell at him for the stupid question. As far as he knows, I lost a baby, and he was the guilty party of that. I did lose a baby, but it was to protect him from the man in front of me.

“Fine.” I bite my tongue so I don’t lose it. “Now that I’m back, can we get everything back on track?”

“Is that all you have to say?” he presses, but his voice isn’t elevated or affected in any way. It’s as if he expected me to scream at him for what happened. I learned my lesson the last time I mouthed off to him. I’m not doing it again. I’ll scream when I’m alone and no one can hear me. For now, I’ll appear poised.

“What else is there to say?” I bite my lip and avoid his eyes. “We have an arrangement that still needs to be upheld. I lost a baby. I don’t expect an apology because that would require regret, which you have none. Nothing can bring my baby back, so can we just move forward and forget all of this?” It’s a major struggle to keep my voice calm and level. My gaze moves back to him, and his eyes follow my every move.

Nolan steps forward and runs his fingers along my jaw, his eyes searching mine. I don’t move. I don’t flinch.

“I’m glad you’re back, Miss Mercer. I’ve missed your fierce tongue.”

Anger fills me. “With all due respect, Mr. Gray, would you mind removing your hand from my face?” Like I burned him, his hand snaps back, something close to offense on his face. “We have a contract. Nothing more. I’d appreciate it if we could get the beginning term of our deal started as soon as possible. That’s the only reason for my visit, nothing else. The sooner I marry Michael, the better.” In other words, the quicker I can get back to my son. Every day away from him is painful, and I have twelve years of that pain to look forward to.

For the first time since I met him, Nolan looks away in the most awkward display I’ve ever seen.

“I’ll see how quickly we can get everything going, but it could take up to six months, Miss Mercer.”

I nod. “Fine. Am I dismissed?”

His head bobs up and down, his hands shoved in his pockets, but he doesn’t speak.

“Good day, Mr. Gray.” This has probably been the most easygoing of any of my visits to Nolan’s office.

Turning on my heels, I take a single step toward the open door, but before I can take another one, his arm wraps around my waist, and presses his face into my hair. My body stiffens, but I don’t push him off. I know that would only end in violence.

“It might not mean much to you, Bethany, and if you ever repeat it, I will deny it and spank you until you bleed. I do regret how things had to turn out for you. Losing your child couldn’t have been easy, and the heartbreak clear on your face brings me no satisfaction.” Then, he kisses my neck, trailing up to my jaw and my cheek and stopping at my temple. “I’ll make sure this all gets settled as quickly as possible. You have my word.”

I nod, and he slowly unwraps himself from my body.

“However…” he continues, so I turn to face him, seeing the way his eyes darken. “Doctors were unable to reverse the damage Michael did to his body, so we’ll discuss a different plan of action soon.”

“You’re not going to take out what he did on–”

“Don’t worry yourself, Miss Mercer. I don’t punish the innocent party unless absolutely necessary. It’s not something I take pleasure in doing.”

Liar.

He made the deal with me to punish Martin. He beat Martin to punish me.

“Then, where do I fit into that?” I hardly curb the bite in my tone.

“When?”

“When you made the deal with me.”

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