The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 529

Catherine braced herself on the seat, back straight and tense. When she noticed her blouse gaping open, she considered lying back to fix the buttons, but quickly thought better of it. That position felt way too inviting.

Not buttoning up... but just leaving it...

Lance was kneeling between her legs, his broad shoulders filling the space and making the air heavy with something unspoken. The tiny interior seemed even smaller, their breaths and nerves mixing in the air.

Catherine reached for her shirt, trying to tug the fabric together. Her fingers, pale and delicate, pressed to her chest and somehow made the outline beneath even more noticeable.

Suddenly, a black jacket dropped over her head, covering her completely.

"If you’re not taking it, don’t get out of the car."

The heat at her calves faded. Catherine pulled the jacket off her head and saw that Lance was already outside, turned away from the door.

She hurried to sit up, quickly did up her buttons and straightened her clothes. Grabbing the small jewelry box, she stepped out of the car.

"Thank you," she mumbled as she brushed past. Her voice was so soft, as if she was scared even the breeze would hear.

Lance glanced over. Her hair was coming undone and her neck was flushed, the pink running right up to her ears.

"Catherine," he called again.

She froze.

"If you need my help, just say so."

His voice was calm, almost distant, like there was something missing underneath it all.

"Thank you," she said again, but it was really all she could offer.

"You should head home."

He sounded polite, even a little cold, but Catherine knew he meant it. No matter what was going on between them, he had still helped her. She just couldn’t seem to accept it with an easy heart.

Lorinda squinted at her, putting the horse carefully back in its box. "You tried to give it back, didn’t you? And he wouldn’t take it?"

Catherine said nothing, but her silence was answer enough.

"Don’t act like you have to draw a line so clear. Maybe the baby won’t ever go back to the James family, but he still has their blood. If Fiona wants to give you something, just keep it. She’s his grandma. Use it for the baby. It’s the least they can do."

Lorinda wasn’t in it for the money. She just felt that even a fraction of what the James family had could last Catherine and Lanny their whole lives. There was no need to make such a big deal about it.

But she never understood the guilt Catherine felt deep down. Sure, she was worried about the James family swooping in and trying to take her son, but she also knew that Fiona and Ableson just wanted to hold their great-grandchild. Catherine felt like she owed them.

"I’m putting it in the baby’s room," Lorinda said, and she hustled away to stash the gift before Catherine could get any wild ideas.

"If I’m sending something that valuable back, I’d have to hand it to the James family myself," Catherine said, giving Lorinda a sidelong glance.

Lorinda came back from the kid’s room, dusting her hands off. "I’m just looking out for my godson here. The only reason I’m not locking it up in my own closet is because I want you to have some pride left, Catherine. Don’t make me regret it."