Chapter 5 At . Katherine , nestled deep in her pregnancy routine , had gone to bed . Her biological clock had made her so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open . In the dim light from the floor lamp , she drifted off into a hazy sleep . "Mr. Graham , why are you back ? " Maeve , the only maid living in Windridge Villa , was always here just in case Katherine needed help during the night . Π Hearing the car outside . Maeve had already put on her coat and stepped out . Seeing Derrick , she felt both joy and worry . " If Mrs. Graham sees you " It's fine , " Derrick said , lightly placing his hand on Maeve's back . " Go to sleep . Don't worry about me . " With that , he left the car keys in the entryway and quickly headed upstairs . Maeve watched as Derrick left in a hurry . She let out a heavy sigh as she thought , " What's he planning to do this late at night ? " When Derrick reached the door of the master bedroom , he hesitated . He stared at the closed door , his brows furrowing deeper . He thought , Katherine asked me to come back , but now she's locking me out . Is she trying to humiliate me ! ' Derrick's hand rested on the doorknob . Though he assumed the door was locked , he still tried the handle , unwilling to give up . He thought , ' Even if it's just this once , maybe Katherine will show me some mercy ! The lock clicked open with a soft sound . Derrick stood frozen for a moment , and with a gentle push , the door creaked open . Inside , it was dim , but there was a faint scent of coffee and herbs in the air , calming and pleasant . Derrick thought . The door really opened ? It wasn't locked after all . Derrick could see the lump under the blanket on the bed , and his throat tightened . For a moment , he didn't know whether to feel overjoyed or worried . He feared this might be another trap , concerned that beneath the beauty of the flower , there were thorns . Katherine was sound asleep , and the noise from opening the door didn't wake her . Derrick cautiously stepped inside , thinking , Whatever . It can't get any worse . If I die at Katherine's hands , then it's just fate ! His footsteps made no sound on the carpeted floor . Ever since the vase had shattered into pieces last time , Derrick had arranged for the entire house to be carpeted . By the time he reached the side of the bed , Katherine still hadn't moved . Perhaps feeling cold , she curled up , half her face buried in the blanker , her beautiful , sickly face standing out starkly in the dim light . Derrick thought , ' She clearly still looks so unwell , yet Ethan claimed she's recovering well : What a quack " Suddenly , Katherine turned over in bed . She kicked the blanket away , wedging it between her legs . She curled up on her side in a comfortable position , a small corner of the blanket tangled around her waist , leaving her legs exposed . Her siender legs beneathther shorts were both alluring and delicate . Derrick's throat bobbed . The darkness in his eyes roared , wanting to devour those legs whole . But in the end , he restrained himself , gently reaching out to lift Katherine's ankle and tug the blanket from between her legs , carefully covering her up again .. Throughout the whole process , Katherine didn't react . Derrick thought , ' Is she really asleep ? Or is she just pretending to fool me ? " Unable to figure it out , he decided to stop guessing . He pulled the chair by the vanity closer and sat down beside the bed . Derrick couldn't bring himself to climb into bed . Being able to quietly sit here and watch her was already a luxury for him . He just hoped that when Katherine saw him in the morning , she wouldn't be too angry . From deep into the night until dawn . Derrick watched as Katherine tossed and turned countless times . Every time she kicked off the blanket , Derrick dunfully covered her again . By morning , Derrick began to wonder if Katherine had always been like this when she slept alone . He thought , " If she doesn't get sick often , then I guess her health isn't as bad as I thought . " The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains . To wake up in the natural light , Katherine had only pulled a thin layer of sheer curtains across the window . Katherine slowly started to wake up , letting out a soft hum as she stretch ched her legs and arms under the covers , feeling completely 1/2 +51 PM PP Chapter 5 relaxed . Then she opened her eyes , her gaze locking onto Derrick , who was sitting by the bed . Derrick sat up straight , his posture rigid as if he were at attention . There was a faint stubble on his chin , and his face showed signs of exhaustion . He had originally been leaning back in his chair , but as Katherine woke up , he instinctively straightened himself . When Katherine looked at him , even the slightest movement , like the flutter of her eyelids , seemed to affect him deeply , " Well ? Didn't you say you wanted to see me ? " Derrick's heart was pounding , almost to the point where he couldn't bear it anymore . His voice cut through the silence , cold and harsh , though it only felt that way to him . Katherine blinked rapidly , and as soon as Derrick spoke , she sat up suddenly . " Derrick , " she said , surprised , throwing off the blanket . She quickly stood up , but then dizziness hit her , making her almost fall . Just before she collapsed , Derrick's strong arm wrapped around her , steadying her . His arm encircled Katherine's slim waist , his hand resting lightly on her stomach . " Why the rush ? Didn't you know you have low blood sugar ? " His voice was low , and the anger in it made him sound especially intimidating . But Katherine wasn't afraid at all . She instinctively wrapped her arms around Derrick's neck , rubbing her cheek against him . " It's warm . It's really you . Derrick . " Katherine often dreamed of Derrick , where he would stretch out his hand , telling her he was going to take her away . But whenever she reached out to him , Derrick would turn and leave her behind , walking off alone . Every time , Katherine would desperately chase after him , but no matter how fast she ran , there was always a distance between them . But now , Derrick was right here in her arms , so warm and comforting . Unable to stop herself , Katherine tilted her head and nuzzled against him like a kitten Derrick's body stiffened , almost as though he were frozen in place , staying still in the embrace for a long time . Eventually , he grabbed Katherine's shoulders and gently pushed her away . His brooding eyes locked onto her face , just inches from his . He could have leaned down and kissed her lips , soft and sweet . Derrick swallowed hard , his voice hoarse . " Katherine , look closely - I'm not the one you have feelings for . " He figured Katherine must not be fully awake yet , still trapped in a dream . He thought , ' Katherine actually hugged me first and rubbed her face against mine - how could this be ? Unless she's being possessed " 2/2