Page 7 of Hearts of Wealth

I laughed, appreciating her teasing. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m the best you’re going to get.”

Catherine laughed. For a moment, it felt as if we were back to our old selves, bantering and teasing as if nothing had changed. Like there wasn’t a huge weight on my shoulders.

“I guess I’ll just have to settle,” Catherine joked.

After dinner, we retreated to the media room on the second floor and scrolled through a selection of movies. She looked so right in my house. I wanted her to stay forever. She looked over at me and smiled. “So? Kill them all or a happily ever after?”

“Let’s go with happily ever after,” I replied, my gaze meeting hers. She looked at me for a moment longer, her smile deepening.

“I thought so. We could use a little cheesiness in our lives.”

We settled in on the plush leather couch, her legs draped over mine as she nestled against my side. Her body felt so right snuggled against mine.

“Are you happy, Catherine?” I asked, unable to keep the uncertainty out of my voice.

She turned to look at me with some concern in her eyes. “Of course I am,” she replied.

In that moment, I couldn’t help but imagine a future with her in it, a future where she was by my side through thick and thin. Someone who wanted me for me, not for my wealth or social standing or lineage. Just me.

“Are you happy?” she asked.

“When you’re with me like this, yes.” I nodded.

“It’s going to be okay,” she said with a smile. “Stay positive. Don’t let Regina win. If you’re stressed out and miserable, she wins.

She was right. Regina had done enough damage; it was time to reclaim my happiness. Two hours later, as Catherine snoozed lightly against my chest, I couldn’t help but smile. She never seemed to make it through a whole movie. I wasn’t sure why she bothered to spend so much time picking one when we both knew she wasn’t going to see the ending. But I didn’t mind.

“Hey,” I whispered as the credits rolled. “Let’s go to bed.”

She murmured something, sat up, and looked around. “Did I fall asleep?”

I laughed. “You did.”

“Dangit.”

“Come on, let’s go to bed.”