chapter 2

The first thing Katherine felt was softness.

A bed—far too comfortable to be hers.

A pillow that didn’t smell like her laundry detergent.

And warm air drifting from a vent, not the cold night wind she remembered.

Her eyes snapped open.

The ceiling was unfamiliar.

White. Ornate. Expensive.

Her instincts kicked in instantly. she sat up in one sharp motion, her body tense and alert. Her gaze swept the room—large, elegant, decorated in warm beige and gold.

A private residence.

A luxurious one.

Footsteps echoed softly. Katherine’s head whipped toward the sound.

A young maid entered the room carrying a tray, but the moment she saw Katherine awake—sitting straight, expression sharp—she froze. Her hands trembled, nearly dropping the tray.

“Y-You’re awake! I—I’ll inform the Young Master immediately—”

“Stop.”

The single word—cold, lethal, low—cut through the air like a blade.

The maid stiffened, turning pale.

Katherine’s eyes narrowed. “Where is this?”

The girl swallowed. “Th-this is the Walker residence, miss.”

“And why,” Katherine continued, voice icy and emotionless,

“am I here? Did you kidnap me?”

The maid shook her head so quickly it looked painful.

“N-no! Miss, please—our master brought you here. He found you on the road. You were unconscious.”

Katherine stared at her, silent, unreadable.

“Speak clearly,” she demanded.

“Who is your master?”

“Y-Young Master James Walker.”

Katherine felt the world still for a moment.

James… Walker?

Impossible.

“Fine,” she said coldly. “Call him. Tell your master I want to see him.”

“Yes, m-miss!” The maid practically ran out of the room.

Katherine exhaled quietly.

She did not panic.

She did not tremble.

She sat calmly, legs crossed, back straight, her posture sharper than broken glass.

If she was truly in the world of the novel… she needed information.

Footsteps approached again—this time heavier, steady, controlled.

The door opened.

A man entered.

He was tall, dressed in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy as if he had been running his hands through it in worry. His eyes—warm hazel—landed on her with relief flooding them.

“You’re awake,” he said softly.

Katherine stared at him, eyes cold, studying every detail.

She knew this face from the book’s descriptions.

Gentle. Honest. Too kind for the world he lived in.

But in person… he was even more striking.

Still, she showed no recognition.

“Who are you?” she asked flatly.

James blinked, taken aback. “I—I’m James. James Walker. I found you last night.”

Katherine didn’t respond.

James stepped forward cautiously, raising both hands as if approaching a frightened animal.

“You were unconscious on the road. I thought you were hurt, so I brought you here. My doctor checked you—he said you were exhausted, but not injured.”

Katherine’s eyes remained sharp.

Her voice held no warmth.

“So you brought a stranger to your home?” she asked. “Are you always this careless?”

James flushed, embarrassed but honest.

“I didn’t want the media to swarm you,” he said. “Hospitals aren’t safe for people found on roads. I… wanted to help.”

He meant it.

She could hear it in his voice.

For a moment, silence settled between them.

Then Katherine tilted her head slightly.

“Katherine,” she said at last.

James blinked. “Your name?”

“Yes. Katherine.” Her tone softened just barely. “And thank you… for helping me.”

James let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and smiled—soft, relieved, genuine.

“You’re safe now.”

Katherine didn’t smile back, but she looked at him for a long moment.

*Safe.*

A word she had never trusted.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***