CHAPTER 83: SEEING THE HOODIE ON HER

Catherine’s POV

Kiera took the gift out from the place I hid it, smoothing the crushed wrapping paper with her palms. I watched her eyebrows pull together in concentration as she started fixing the edges, pressing the folds like she was actually trying to restore it.

"What are you doing?" I asked, with opened eyes, confusion spreading through me as she traced the ribbon with her finger.

"I’m wrapping it back," she replied casually. "So we can return it to Lucy."

Were we not supposed to teach her a lesson?

I blinked. "Return it? That’s the plan? We’re giving it back like good little girls?"

She lifted her head and burst into laughter. "Relax, I’m messing with you. No way I’m going to let that Lucifer get this back."

I threw a pillow at her. She dodged it easily and grabbed her phone from the bed. Without another word, she snapped a picture of the gift, making me even more curious and impatient.

"Kiera, tell me the plan already," I groaned. "So many thoughts are running through my mind."

She gave me her signature, mischievous smirk. "Don’t worry, just give me Lucy’s number now."

"Lucy’s number?" I scoffed. "Why the hell would I have that?"

"You have to find it," she said, waving the gift to my face. "Like, ASAP. I need it for our next plan."

I looked around the room like the number would magically appear on my wall. My brain scrambled. Who the hell would have Lucy’s number?

Julian came to mind first. Absolutely not. Asking him would turn into a whole conversation, and I wasn’t in the mood for being teased, interrogated, and getting angry. Besides, the moron’s the reason for this whole revenge scheme.

Gabriel came to mind immediately. He used to get along with Lucy well before... whatever drama happened of him saving me from her and Sasha, so he could possibly have her number.

I grabbed my phone and dialed him quickly.

He picked up on the first ring, his voice coming out warm and immediate. "Hey Catherine? Are you okay?"

The way he asked like he genuinely cared about me made me feel loved. "No," I admitted honestly. "I need you to help me with Lucy’s number."

"Lucy’s number? Why? Did she do something again?"

"No, Gabriel. I just need the number."

There was a pause. "And you can’t tell your reason?"

I rubbed my forehead, avoiding Kiera’s stare. "Gabriel? Can’t you give it to me without the interrogations?"

Another second passed, then he let out. "Ill send it now. Anything for you."

A smile broke out of my mouth and as soon as the call ended, my phone buzzed with a message from him; Lucy’s number.

Kiera leaned toward me instantly. "Don’t tell me that was Julian."

"No," I snorted. "Gabriel, my other stepbrother."

Her eyes gleamed and she tilted her head in a mischievous way. "So what’s up with the other brother? Is something going on with you and that one too?"

I choked on my own laughter. "No way. Gabriel treats me like his actual sister."

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, giving me that sure, Jan look.

I ignored her, already making peace with the fact that she’s really crazy with her ideas.

Kiera typed in the number, and without hesitation she sent Lucy a message, along with the picture of the gift.

"What did you tell her?" I asked.

She grinned. "I told her to meet me at the estate gate tomorrow night. I said I’ll tell her how the gift got into my hands."

I froze. "Wait—what?"

"Relax," she said, putting her phone back into her pocket. "You will see when she comes."

I followed her as she stood and slung her bag over her shoulder, humming softly.

"Leaving already?" I tried not to sound disappointed. The room was funnier and lighter with her in it. "You can sleep here, you know."

She gave me a gentle smile. "I wish but I have things to do at home."

I wanted to insist, but I didn’t want to be clingy, so I nodded.

She walked to the door, but suddenly paused, turning back to me. "Oh and Catherine, I need you to wear that hoodie tomorrow."

I stepped back as if she slapped me. "What?! Are you insane? She will murder me the moment she sees it."

Kiera smirked like she’d been waiting all night to hear me say that. "Relax. She doesn’t know what’s inside the gift. She won’t suspect a thing."

A slow smile crept onto my face.

Oh.

Oh.

This girl...

She winked and walked out of my room.

I stared at the door long after it closed, pieces of thoughts in my head clicking together one by one.

Kiera wasn’t just interesting, she was smart and strategic. No way. She was a genius.

I got back into my room and picked the hoodie, gently placing it inside my closet. I tucked it deep behind some folded sweaters like it was contraband. Then I crawled into bed, hugging my pillow, and let my mind drift to whatever chaos Kiera had prepared for tomorrow.

—

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual, too early, considering I barely slept. Well.... The only reason is because excitement. I couldn’t wait to see what Kiera planned.

I hopped into the bathroom and took my bath. Afterward, I moisturized, dressed in something light, and waited on my bed, eyes moving to the clock every two seconds. I wasn’t going to wear the hoodie until breakfast time.

When it was finally time, I opened my closet, took a deep breath, and grabbed the hoodie. Pulling it over my head felt like stepping into enemy territory, only this time, I wasn’t defenseless. Kiera had given me ammunition.

I made my way downstairs with slow steps. Before I reached the dining room, I already heard Lucy’s grumbling voice. It was loud, irritating, and unmistakably aggressive. She sounded like she’d been whining for hours.

"Someone literally stole it, Gabriel," she snapped. "Someone took what Julian got for me. Someone stole it."

I paused outside the doorway, listening. Her voice sharpened. "And honestly, I’m suspecting it’s Catherine."

Me? Of course. I started getting angry until I remembered I was actually the one who stole it. But would it be called stealing, if the gift was actually for me??

Before I could move further, Gabriel’s calm tone rose. "Catherine has never stolen in this house. Don’t accuse her because you’re upset about losing a gift."

I smiled. Gabriel always defended me without hesitation. It meant a lot.

Lucy let out a loud scoff. "You’re just saying that because she’s your little angel. I’m telling you, Gabriel, something is off. And maybe it wasn’t even her. Maybe it was that rude girl she brought over yesterday."

I rolled my eyes so hard my skull ached.

From the sound of it, Gabriel was confused. "What girl?"

Perfect timing. I stepped into the dining room with a peaceful smile plastered onto my face, like I hadn’t heard a word of what was being said. "Good morning."

Lucy shut her mouth instantly.

I walked past her slowly, dramatically, letting the sleeve of the hoodie slip just enough to be visible. I could literally feel her eyes on me; wide, offended, boiling but I wasn’t satisfied yet.

So I turned my head slightly and asked, "What were you both talking about? Why did everyone suddenly become quiet the moment I walked in?"

Lucy swallowed loudly. "It’s nothing. Mind your business."

I raised an eyebrow, already forming a sharp reply on my tongue, when footsteps came from behind.

It was Julian. The air shifted. I didn’t even have to look to know, it was like my body sensed him before my eyes did. I glanced sideways as he walked in, and there it was: that stare that made my breath hitch.

His eyes landed on me instantly and didn’t move. His jaw tightened, his expression unreadable at first, then slowly darkening.

Why was he looking at me like that? Oh shit! The hoodie.

I’d completely forgotten he’d see me wearing it. I’d been so focused on Lucy, on the plan, on Kiera’s brilliance that I forgot the most obvious problem: Julian would know. He’d recognize the hoodie instantly.

My heart pounded. Was he going to expose me in front of Lucy? Was he going to announce that I stole the gift from her room? Was he going to humiliate me the same way she tried to?

His stare wasn’t just confused, it was piercing like he was asking a thousand questions at once.

Why are you wearing it?

You knew it was for you? How?

I shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze, acutely aware that Lucy was watching both of us, connecting dots at the speed of light. My palms started to sweat.

He still hadn’t looked away.

I swallowed and pretended not to notice him staring, but it was impossible. His gaze felt like a grip around my ribcage.

Lucy cleared her throat loudly, trying to draw attention back to herself. "Julian! Did you hear what I just said? Someone stole the gift you gave to me!"

Julian still didn’t respond to her, or spare her a single glance. His eyes stayed locked on me and on the hoodie stretched across my body.