?<strong>Chapter 136:</strong>


    Katherine coughed violently, spluttering juice. Joelle thumped her back gently. Once Katherine regained herposure, she gasped, “God, Joelle, don’t just blurt things out like that!”


    “I’m serious, Katherine!” Joelle insisted, her voice filled with conviction. “Shawn has been acting differently. Think about it. He was waiting outside that restaurant for you, and he’s constantly concerned about your health, even reminding you to drink less.” A cold realization washed over Katherine. Shawn was her friend’s brother. If not for Joelle’s observation, Katherine would never have thought of Shawn as a potential romantic interest. Shawn was indeed attractive and kind, traits anyone would admire, but for Katherine, ambition and sess were what truly drew her to a man.


    She respected the Watson family, but for someone to impress her, they needed to demonstrate significant achievements.


    “You might be reading too much into things,” Katherine replied dismissively. “Shawn and I have always been close like this.”


    “Really?” Joelle sounded unconvinced as she exited the room.


    Left alone, Katherine massaged her temples, contemting the conversation. Her phone vibrated with a new message, breaking her train of thought. It was Frankie. “Good afternoon.”


    Katherine smirked at the predictability—Frankie was consistent, if nothing else, texting her at the same times each day as if on clockwork.


    She didn’t respond right away, instead scrolling through her social media. There, she noticed histest post—a photo of a meeting, focusing only on his hand strategically ced on a conference room table. His hand was well-defined, with long fingers.


    Katherine admired the aesthetic of the photo, finally responding, “Good afternoon.” Frankie inquired, “Just woke up?”


    “Yeah, I had ate night with clients.”


    “You should probably take it easy on the drinks. I know someone who’s pregnant and still drinking. I try to look out for her, but it just leads to misunderstandings.”


    Katherine raised an eyebrow, reminded of Shawn. She replied, “That sounds familiar. My best friend’s brother has been showing extra concerntely. It’s quite unusual.”


    “How so? Tell me more.”


    “Sure, we keep bumping into each other, and he’s always advising me about my health, even more than my own family does.”


    “Seems like he might have a crush on you.”


    “He’s a decent man, but I don’t see him that way.”


    “Perhaps you could hint that you’re not interested. Being too direct might make things ufortable since he’s your best friend’s brother.”


    Katherine agreed, mulling over his advice. Their conversation soon ended as Frankie had to attend to work matters.


    Switching to her private ount, Katherine selected a particrly evocative photo from her gallery—a tableau of red wine and candlelight from a reflective bath night. With a mncholic filter enhancing its mood, she uploaded it, setting the visibility for Shawn only. “Love is the ebb and flow of destiny, and here I float, alone. Cheers!”


    Later that night, after a long day, Shawn found himself browsing social media post-shower. Katherine’s post halted his scrolling. Was she signaling a romantic drift? Was she no longer with her child’s father?


    Resisting the urge toment directly, he instead lit a cigarette, pondered, and decided on a more personal approach. He texted her. “Katherine, you up? Can we talk?”


    At a dinner with clients, Katherine’s phone buzzed. Reading his message, a chill of anticipation swept through her. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”


    “Don’t despair. Even if he doesn’t value you, cherish yourself. Look around. There’s still beauty in the world.” Katherine shivered as she replied with unsteady fingers, “Shawn, just get to the point.”


    “I’m here for you, always. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll listen.”


    Stunned, Katherine dropped her phone on the table, causing a stir among herpanions.


    “Katherine, are you alright?”


    Exasperated, she murmured, “This is a problem. Someone’s developed feelings for me.”


    “That’s wonderful news! Cheers to finding love and sess!”


    “Stop it! It’s…”


    Shawn was Joelle’s brother! And Joelle wasn’t just her best friend. She was like a sister. And that made Shawn her brother. Getting involved with him romantically would be absurd! “This is tooplicated.” Needing an escape, Katherine stepped out and dialed Bobby. “I need a favor.” Bobby’s voice came promptly. “I can’t offer money, but I can give my all.”


    “I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.”


    A pause from Bobby, then a resigned sigh. “I knew it! You’ve been harboring feelings for me!”


    “Stop it. Just help me out. Are you in or not?”


    “What’s my benefit?”


    “Seriously? Just be a good friend.”


    “Fine. But give me ten minutes to break up with my current girlfriend.”


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