Chapter 283: Marching For War

Catherine looked at Maximilian.

There was a clarity in those blue-violet eyes that reassured her more than any medical report could. His body was still recovering, but his mind... his mind was astonishingly sharp.

And there was one thing she had learned about Maximilian across both lifetimes.

Once he made up his mind, nothing—not reason, not pain, not even she herself—could make him change it.

A helpless smile tugged at her lips.

The truth was...

She wanted him there too.

She knew it was selfish. He had awakened from a coma only hours ago, and she was already contemplating taking him halfway across the country into the middle of the biggest battle of her life.

Any reasonable person would call her heartless.

Her schedule left no room for mistakes. Every minute had been planned. Every conversation, every appearance, every revelation had to happen exactly on time. If Maximilian’s condition suddenly worsened, even for a moment, her concentration would shatter.

Yet...

She wanted him beside her.

She did not want him watching through a television or phone screen, and not hearing about it afterward.

She wanted him to see it with his own eyes—to watch her stand where he had always believed she belonged.

She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him once.

Then again.

And again.

Each kiss was met with the same quiet warmth until that infuriatingly satisfied smile spread across his face.

He looked unbearably pleased with himself.

Honestly...

He had earned it.

Only hours ago, he had barely opened his eyes. Now he was already walking steadily toward the bathroom to wash and dress himself, his movements slow but deliberate, every step carrying the quiet resolve she knew so well.

Seeing that determination, Catherine sighed in defeat. There was no changing his mind.

Still, she wasn’t about to surrender that easily. She hurried out to find the doctors.

She already knew what they would tell her. They would insist he remain hospitalized for weeks. They would forbid air travel. They would list every possible complication that could follow a traumatic brain injury.

That wasn’t why she went.

She wanted emergency protocols. The nearest trauma centers. Medication schedules. Every contingency they could prepare in case something happened while they were away.

Perhaps it was selfish. Perhaps it was reckless.

But beneath all her fear lay something stronger.

Faith.

Faith that Maximilian would be alright.

Faith that he would stand beside her... and watch her win with his own eyes, just as he had always dreamed, even if he could no longer remember dreaming it.

Maximilian simply watched her as she packed everything he might need. And when she tried to hold his hand to support him, he casually took his role as the protector. Catherine didn’t even realize it.

When they reached Alexander’s private jet, Catherine stopped in front of Maximilian and adjusted the sunglasses resting on the bridge of his nose.

"There."

He smiled at her without protest.

"My prince is rather handsome."

One corner of his mouth lifted, clearly pleased by the compliment.

"Aunt Cathy!"

Samantha’s voice made Catherine turn.

Joanne stood beside her, one hand resting gently on Samantha’s shoulder.

For a brief moment, Catherine’s smile softened. She smiled at Samantha.

"What is it?"

Samantha hurried over and wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Be careful out there."

"I will."

Catherine hugged her back before noticing Samantha’s distracted expression.

"Is something wrong?"

Samantha hesitated before shaking her head.

"No... it’s just..."

She squinted toward the jet.

"I keep seeing Fudgie."

Catherine blinked.

"Fudgie?"

"That first love of yours?" she asked with a teasing smile.

Samantha rubbed the back of her neck. "I don’t think I’m imagining him anymore."

She looked genuinely confused.

"I saw him at the hospital yesterday... and today I swear I saw him around here too."

She frowned.

"The other day I- We..."

Her fingers absentmindedly brushed the hotel key card still tucked inside her pocket.

Maybe... Maybe she really should go back and check that room.

"Forget it." She shook her head. "I’m probably just overthinking."

She hugged Catherine again. "Good luck, Aunt Cathy."

"Thank you."

"Hug me too, Gigi." Joanne opened her arms.

Catherine stepped into the embrace without hesitation.

"So..." Joanne’s voice was barely above a whisper. "He came back."

Catherine smiled. "And he’s staying."

Joanne closed her eyes briefly before smiling back. "Maybe... this is how it was always meant to be."

Catherine searched her face.

Was that... Acceptance?

Before she could think further, the rest of her family surrounded her. Her brothers and sisters-in-law, each offering words of encouragement, reminders to stay safe, and promises that everything at home was under control.

James was the last to step forward. He embraced her tightly before resting a hand against the back of her head. "You’ll always have a home here, Catherine. Never forget that."

Tears pricked her eyes. "I won’t, Daddy."

This... This was family. People who wanted nothing from her except her happiness.

Alexander finally arrived carrying luggage while Roxana walked beside him.

The moment Catherine saw her, she frowned. "Is it alright for you to travel?" She turned toward Alexander.

Then back to Roxana. "Did your doctor clear you? You’re still so early into your—"

The words died in her throat.

Silence.

Everyone stared at her.

Catherine’s eyes slowly widened.

Oh no.

No...

She had just realized what she had done. Roxana hadn’t announced the pregnancy yet, probably.

Congratulations immediately erupted around them. Questions followed. Offers to babysit. Warnings to take care of herself. The entire family burst into excited chatter.

Catherine wanted the runway to split open and swallow her whole. She had never wanted to disappear more in her life.

Thankfully, Roxana accepted every congratulation with remarkable grace.

"I’m... so, so sorry," Catherine whispered as they climbed the stairs into the jet.

Roxana merely sighed before squeezing her hand. "I would’ve had to tell them eventually."

Catherine let out the breath she’d been holding. "I really wasn’t thinking..."

"I know." Roxana smiled. "I didn’t know a family could be like this."

She glanced back through the open cabin door where everyone was still laughing and arguing over who would spoil the baby the most.

"My family would’ve worried about my career. My father would’ve started planning my child’s future before it was even born." She laughed softly. "But here... They’re just happy."

Catherine laughed with her. "Welcome to the Prestons."

The moment she stepped into the cabin, however, she stopped.

Fitzgerald was already inside. Across from him, Maximilian sat perfectly straight.

Staring.

No... Glowering.

The atmosphere between them was so tense it could probably crack glass.

Catherine blinked. "I completely forgot about you."

"I didn’t mind." Fitzgerald shrugged. "I had the best dinner of my life last night."

Something about the way he was sitting struck Catherine as odd.

Almost...

Deliberately hidden, as though he were trying very hard not to be seen through the cabin windows.

Her gaze drifted outside.

Samantha was still standing on the tarmac. She looked toward the jet one last time.

Wait...

Catherine looked back at Fitzgerald. Then outside again. Then back at Fitzgerald.

...

...

Wait.

Her eyes slowly widened.

Samantha’s...

...Fudgie...

...is Fitzgerald Rathbourne?