From Broken to Beloved-Chapter 108- No need to thank me

Catherine walked over and helped Renata sit down. Renata thanked Bert gratefully,

"Mr. Washington, thank you for arranging everything in advance. Otherwise, Cici might have—"

Renata, who had always been strong, couldn’t continue. Her eyes reddened and her voice faltered.

Catherine had always been Renata’s sole reason for holding on. Renata didn’t know whether she herself would completely break down if Catherine had to endure something like that again. Most likely, the two of them would both be destroyed.

Bert replied gently,

"No need to thank me. It’s what I should do."

Protecting the woman he loved was a man’s responsibility, so Renata didn’t owe him any thanks.

Since he had said that, Renata couldn’t say much more. She turned to Catherine beside her instead.

"Cici, it’s already quite late. After what happened tonight, I’m sure your mind is just as unsettled as mine. Go and see Mr. Washington off first."

At this point, how could Renata not understand that there was something complicated between her daughter and Bert? If there were nothing between them, why would Bert have people stationed around her daughter to protect her?

That said, Renata still had many questions about Bert. He was also a man of extraordinary wealth and power, someone from a completely different world than theirs. She needed to have a proper talk with her daughter before deciding whether Catherine should step into this relationship.

Of course, Renata was not unreasonable. She also knew that after everything that had happened, Catherine and Bert must have a lot to say to each other. That was why she asked Catherine to see him downstairs, instead of sending him away outright.

Catherine nodded and then looked at Bert.

With a mind as deep as his, Bert naturally understood what Renata was thinking, so he chose to cooperate. After giving Renata a polite nod, he turned and left.

Catherine and Bert walked downstairs together. Just after they stepped out of the building, her hand was taken by his. This time, Catherine didn’t struggle or resist; she simply let him hold her hand as they walked.

They stopped beneath the shadow of a tree downstairs. Bert’s palm felt a little cool, and Catherine couldn’t help asking,

"Are you cold?"

Every time he had held her hand before, his palm had always been warm.

"I’m not cold."

He lowered his gaze to her, his voice low and heavy.

"But I’m afraid."

There was too much fear in his heart—fear that he hadn’t done enough, that he hadn’t protected her well. The fear had made his palms damp with cold sweat, and once it dried, his hands turned cool.

Catherine felt as if something had struck her straight in the heart, making it tremble again and again.

She looked up at him, her eyes slightly red.

"Thank you—"

Thank you for loving her like this. Thank you for giving her so much care and warmth. Thank you for giving her the courage and strength to love someone again.

Bert’s hand gently brushed over her cheek as he asked in a warm voice,

"Were you badly frightened?"

Seeing the redness around her eyes, Bert assumed she had been scared.

Catherine bit her lip and shook her head. She wasn’t that timid. All of her emotions came from being moved. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Moved by how good he was to her—that was why her eyes had reddened to the point where she felt like crying.

But if he treated her this well... did he know about her past? Did he know about that infamous, disgraceful past of hers?

With that thought in mind, she spoke up,

"Do you know about my past? Two years ago, I—"

Catherine had decided to be honest with him about her past. He was being so sincere with her; she had no reason to hide anything from him.

Before meeting Bert, Catherine had never imagined she would fall into another relationship so quickly. She had even been so insecure that she believed she was unworthy of any man. It was he who gave her the strength to love again.

But before she could finish, he interrupted her,

"I know. I don’t mind."

Bert said this not because he was the man from two years ago. Even if the man back then hadn’t been him, if he had come to like her after getting to know her, he still wouldn’t have minded that past.

When he loved someone, he loved her present and her future—not her past.

Who didn’t have a past?

Wasn’t she the same, not minding his own reckless past?

Catherine hadn’t expected such a decisive answer. She was deeply moved. What had happened two years ago had always been a lingering nightmare for her. Although she always appeared calm and composed in front of others, when she thought about it carefully, how could something like that ever be so easy to get over, no matter who it happened to?

Bert lifted his arm and drew her closer by the waist.

"Is there anything else you want to say, or ask?"

Originally, Bert had thought it would take more time before their relationship could truly be settled. Hadn’t she said she wanted to talk things through with him? He had assumed that only after that conversation would she open her heart and fully accept him.

But he hadn’t expected something like this to happen tonight. From the moment she allowed him to hold her hand without resistance, it was clear that she had already fully accepted him in her heart.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought up her past with him.

She was being so honest—so honest that even that dark Chapter of her life was laid bare before him, spoken of with courage rather than concealment.

Her sincerity only made her more beautiful, and that beauty, in turn, made him even more certain that loving her was absolutely worth it.

As for Catherine, she really had intended to have a long, heartfelt conversation before deciding whether to enter a relationship with him. But after what had happened tonight—after his gentle, unwavering protection—she abandoned all thoughts of needing that talk.

Was there really anything left to discuss?

His heart was already so sincere.

"But—"

Catherine spoke again, anxiety creeping into her voice.

"Even if you don’t mind, will your family agree? Your parents, your siblings... I have such a bad reputation. Will they think I’m not worthy of you? Will they—"

She couldn’t go on. She didn’t have the courage to finish her sentence.

What parents would agree to their son being with a woman whose name had once been dragged through the mud? Especially someone like him—his family, his sister’s family in Burg Eltz—prominent, respected families. How could they possibly allow her into their world?

She felt uneasy, hesitant, tormented by her doubts.

Bert suddenly let out a soft laugh. He lifted his arm and pulled her into his embrace, letting her rest against his broad chest, offering her the steadiest support.

"You know," he said lightly, yet with unmistakable certainty,

"I’m not exactly a good man either. That’s why we’re a perfect match."

His calm but resolute voice sounded beside her ear.

"When I, Bert, make a decision, I’ve never cared about other people’s opinions. My parents, my brothers and sisters—they will never become an obstacle between us."

"They trust me, and naturally, they’ll trust you too. Besides, don’t you get along very well with Lilian?"

At his words—half comfort, half promise—Catherine’s tears finally fell. She buried her face in his chest and began to cry softly.

She couldn’t even remember how long it had been since she’d cried so freely, so willfully. All these years, she had lived under constant pressure, forcing herself to be strong. But now, she no longer had to pretend.

Because there was finally someone by her side who would protect her.

In his arms, she could show weakness without restraint, cry without restraint, seek shelter without restraint—without fearing being bullied again, without fearing mockery ever again.

Bert held her, letting her cry.