A letter to the post man

After the plane landed, I quickly pulled out my phone and texted Catharine.

Her reply came almost instantly, as if she'd been waiting for me.

"I'm on my way," she texted, and true to her word, she arrived at the airport just thirty minutes later.

The roar of her sleek, expensive car caught my attention before I saw her. She pulled up to the curb, her flawless appearance matching the luxury of her vehicle. But what struck me most wasn't her car or her designer clothes—it was the way she ran to me. Like a child reunited with her favorite person, she rushed toward me, her arms outstretched and her face glowing with excitement.

"Sister!" she shouted, throwing her arms around me and pulling me into a tight embrace.

Her warmth caught me off guard. For a moment, I stood frozen, my suitcase forgotten at my feet. Her genuine affection wrapped around me like a blanket, and in that instant, it hit me just how much she loved me.

Regret washed over me like a tidal wave. Everything I had done to hurt her, to betray her trust, came rushing back in vivid detail.

"I've missed you," I said softly, my voice heavy with sincerity.

"I've missed you too!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

We stood there for a moment, lost in the embrace. It felt like the years of pain and distance between us had melted away.

Finally, I pulled back, forcing a small smile. "Okay, so… which hotel will I be staying at? I didn't book anything ahead of time."

Catharine gasped, her perfectly manicured hand flying to her chest in exaggerated shock.

"What? A hotel? No! Absolutely not!" she declared. "No sister of mine is staying at some hotel. You're staying with me in my house!"

Her tone left no room for argument, but guilt twisted in my stomach at the thought. Staying in the same house as Nath? Seeing him around Catharine, acting as her husband? It was too much.

"No, I can't stay in your marital house," I said, shaking my head.

"Nonsense," she replied with a wave of her hand. "Nath won't mind at all. And besides, the house is huge—we have more rooms than we know what to do with!"

Her insistence wore me down. I knew there was no winning this argument. Reluctantly, I nodded. "Fine. But just for a few days," I added, though we both knew it was an empty condition.

Catharine beamed and ushered me into her car, chatting the entire drive. I tried to focus on her words, but my mind was elsewhere. Anxiety churned in my chest as I thought about stepping into their home, about seeing Nath again after so long.

When we pulled into the driveway, I couldn't help but gasp. The Vulgari family never disappointed when it came to wealth and grandeur. The house was a masterpiece, its towering pillars and sprawling fountain straight out of a fairy tale. For a moment, I forgot my nerves, captivated by the sheer beauty of the place.

Catharine smiled at my expression. "Come on, don't just stand there," she said, motioning for me to follow her inside.

I walked in timidly, feeling out of place in the opulence that surrounded me. The marble floors gleamed under the light of a grand chandelier, and the air carried a faint, elegant fragrance. The silence was almost eerie.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Catharine laughed lightly. "No one else stays here. It's just Nath and me. Father insisted we spend some time together as a couple."

My heart sank at her words. So it really was just the two of them. The thought made me nauseous.

"Where is Nath?" I asked, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.

Catharine's expression shifted slightly, a shadow passing over her usually bright demeanor. She hesitated, then let out a small sigh.

"That's actually the reason I asked you to come here," she admitted. "But let's not talk about it now. Go freshen up, and we'll chat later."

Before I could press her further, she led me upstairs to a room that took my breath away. It was large and beautifully decorated, the kind of room fit for royalty. A small bookshelf lined one wall, and a plush, soft bed stood in the center, draped with delicate linens. The walls were painted a warm pink with subtle gold accents, giving the room a cozy yet luxurious feel.

"This is your room," Catharine said, smiling as she watched me take it all in. "I hope it's to your liking."

"It's beautiful," I said honestly, running my fingers along the edge of the bed.

"Good. Get some rest and freshen up," she said, turning toward the door. "We'll talk more over dinner."

As the door clicked shut behind her, I sank onto the bed, letting out a shaky breath. The weight of everything—the journey, the reunion, the uncertainty—pressed down on me.

I looked around the room, my eyes landing on the bookshelf. Running my fingers over the spines, I felt a small sense of comfort. But it was fleeting.

Catharine's words echoed in my mind: That's the reason I asked you to come here.

What had she meant? And where was Nath?