My brother-in-law My husband
Chapter 7

Catherine fell to the ground after hitting something hard in front of her. He thought he hit the wall, but when he saw the expensive shoes and black trousers fitting in front of him, he immediately looked up.

He saw a man with perfect facial features carved by God staring with a pair of jet-black pupils. She looked at Catherine with such a deep gaze that would drown anyone in the abyss of fantasy.

"Sister-in-law! Are you all right?" he asked with his deep and somewhat hoarse voice. He grabbed Catherine's hand and pulled her.

"Ah—" Catherine slightly flinched as the man suddenly placed his hands on her back. She could feel her hot palms as her dress exposed her back, and the man even slipped his finger between the rope that tied the dress from behind.

The man smiled and let go of his hand after Catherine stood still as if she just wanted to make sure that Catherine could stand in her high heels and be polite afterwards.

"Be careful. You wear high heels" he said.

Catherine instantly recognized the man, but it was because she had seen him on television often because he was dating many female celebrities, and he happened to be the second son of the Sebastian Family-Marcell's younger brother.

"Marco's? Marco Sebastian Phoenix?"

"Yes, it's me" Marco nodded. She smiled at Catherine, "You even remember my full name. It's been a long time, Sister-in-law."

For too long, Catherine thought she would never meet this man again. Ever since she was at odds with her family, this would be the first time after 10 years she had finally attended her mother's birthday party.

For her, Marco was already like a little sister when he first met, when he was 8 years old, but suddenly he went to study abroad a few days after Catherine and Marcell got married. He was never heard from again after 7 years when he finally returned to the state to start a business here, and he is 25 now.

In fact, Catherine had never spoken to him even after he returned, because she was too busy taking care of her own matters.

"Marco, why are you here?"

"Well, it's my mom's birthday. I just wanted to say hello and leave, 'cause there's business." Marco replied lightly. He looked at Catherine before commenting,

"But enough about me, I saw you crying after leaving my mother's room. Did something happen?"

"Ah, that's okay, just a small quarrel there," Catherine replied as she quickly wiped away the tears at the end of her eyes.

"Then you should meet him immediately. Your mother must have been waiting for you. I have to go now. I have something to do."

Catherine avoided Marco because she wanted to leave this place of hell as quickly as possible, but suddenly Marco clutched his wrist, "Sister-in-law, wait!"

Catherine turned around spontaneously, "Yes?"

Marco took out his business card from his pocket and placed it in Catherine's palm, "We never spoke even after I returned to the state. I want to meet you, maybe you can call me later? I can always help you if you need anything, including a job."

'A job?' Catherine frowned. 'Why did he offer me a job? Did Marcell tell her about our divorce, or did my face say it all?'

"Well, if you need anything, call my office. I'm going to go see mom now, be careful, brother-in-law."

Marco took off Catherine's wrist and left with a confident walk—and rather haughty gait. Catherine stared at her back until she entered Rose's room, and the door was closed.

"Marco, why did he suddenly come to the party? I think he's cut ties with everybody…." Catherine wondered. He checked the name of the card Marco gave him.

Marco Phoenix Sebastian's

President & CEO

Goldenstar Inc's.

Offices: (212) 193 - 1987

—

"19...3..1987? Isn't that.." Catherine frowned while reading the office phone number. But he shook his head quickly to dispel his thoughts. "No, that's not possible. It might just be a coincidence."

Catherine stuffed the business card into her small purse and looked for Amanda. He doesn't want any more contact with this fucking family, including Marco.

'No, Amanda used to visit her grandmother. He must have known the way around this mansion. There's no way she was kidnapped because she must have been guarded by security Catherine thought as she continued to search.

Catherine felt her phone vibrate from inside the purse, she checked the caller and rolled her eyes, but she still picked up the call;

—

"What now?" Catherine asked harshly. "I'm still looking for Amanda, don't bother me."

"Searching for our daughter?" the man across the phone laughed.

"Well, he's with me. We're in my room, come and pick him up."

"… Okay, don't go anywhere. I'll take Amanda and go."

"Damn, now I have to meet her in that room" Catherine said. But she had no choice, so she braced herself and walked towards Marcell's old room in this mansion before they got married.

Catherine still remembered the path she had to take because she had already frequented the room when she was in high school and university.

Catherine took a deep breath while holding the doorknob and opened it.

Marcell's on the couch. She leaned against the backrest and crossed her legs when she saw Catherine open the door,

"Why are you standing still like that? Come in and talk to me."

"Where's Amanda?" Catherine asked, straight to the point. He had many memories in this room with Marcell, and even though it was a bunch of sweet memories, he had no intention of reminiscing about the past.

"She's in another room, she's waiting for you, but I won't go into detail which room she is in now" replied Marcell, knowing full well that the house has many rooms.

"Come here. Let's talk for a minute before you leave."

…

Catherine took a few steps into the bedroom but did not dare to approach Marcell.

"Close the door."

"No, I don't know what you'll do if I close the door" Catherine said.

"HA HA HA!" Marcell laughed as if he had just heard a funny joke.

"Catherine Gray, you know that I've fucked a lot of women prettier than you. You're nothing compared to them, especially after you've aged and pregnant Amanda!"

Catherine clenched her fists again, Marcell had already said the same thing to her many times in the past, but it still triggered her greatly. Such words only made him question his pride.

"Just tell me where Amanda is, and I'll go" Catherine said.

"Catherine, do you remember this bedroom? This is where you and I first made love, where you lost your virginity" Marcell said.

"Marcell, if you keep me here just to say such nonsense, we can save time and tell me where my daughter is."

"Oh, come on, I'm just reminiscing about the past. Did you forget who you were before you married me? You begged to marry me, because you lost your virginity" Marcell got up from his chair and walked towards Catherine.

"And I married you even though some of my family disagreed. You should be grateful. Never forget that."

Catherine spontaneously took a step back, making sure that she was out of reach for Marcell,

"Retreat, Marcell, or I'll yell."

"Yelling for what? This is my house, remember?" Marcell chuckled, but his eyes darkened as he began to lose patience.