From Broken to Beloved-Chapter 57- powerful

Bert and Catherine returned to Catherine’s apartment, going upstairs one after the other.

Considering Renata’s condition after being discharged, Catherine had rented a second-floor apartment. The low floor made it easier for Renata to go outside for exercise and recovery.

Once inside, Catherine felt a bit awkward and said to Bert,

"Um... just sit anywhere, I’ll go make dinner."

Then she hurried into the kitchen.

Catherine really couldn’t understand why a big boss like him would come to her place just to eat.

She glanced briefly at the ingredients in the fridge and roughly planned the menu. Because she had rushed in earlier, she hadn’t even taken off her coat. Now, with her nerves calmer, she removed her coat and went to hang it up—only to see Bert already sitting on her sofa, leisurely fiddling with the TV remote.

He was wearing just the white shirt from earlier at the office; his suit jacket had been removed and neatly hung on the coat rack by the door. Catherine quietly moved over slightly when hanging her coat, not putting it directly next to his.

Perhaps because it was after work, he had casually rolled up his sleeves, left a few buttons of his collar undone, and his tie, which he had removed when trying on shirts in the store, remained off.

He exuded a relaxed, easygoing air, but beneath that casualness was a subtle elegance. Years of experience and refinement had seeped into him, so even sitting there casually, he gave off a comforting presence.

Catherine looked at him and asked,

"Would you like some tea?"

He turned to her, his gaze showing a hint of confusion.

Catherine thought to herself: don’t older people usually like tea? But she quickly realized saying that might be impolite, so she silently went back to the kitchen, poured a glass of plain water, and brought it out.

As she set the water in front of him, he spoke in a neutral tone, without any detectable emotion:

"Tell me what you think of a man my age."

Catherine froze slightly, then straightened up,

"I... don’t really have an opinion."

What opinion could she have? She had almost never interacted with a man of his age. Her friends and classmates were all about her age—twenty-six or twenty-seven, an age when impulse often outweighs reason.

Some had already achieved career success, some hadn’t. Even those who had reached some level of success, none had attained the heights he had, so she could not really judge a man of his age.

It was his deep, inky black eyes fixed on her as he asked,

"Do you think at my age I should already be married with children?"

Catherine didn’t answer, letting her silence speak for her. Her fair, delicate face betrayed none of her thoughts.

And indeed, she did think that. Catherine believed everyone would think so. At thirty-six, most men would already have children several years old.

Thirty-six was no longer just a marriageable age—it was a late marriage age.

With a faint smile at the corner of his eyes, he continued,

"Does it seem strange to you that I’m still single?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Catherine remained silent. He seemed to know what she was thinking, asking questions that merely mirrored her curiosity, leaving her without words.

Bert knew that, given her personality, she would never ask him these things herself. She would feel it was too personal, something she had no right to question. So he asked for her, and then answered himself.

"I’ve had a few relationships in the past that ended without result. The most recent one was about three years ago... maybe four."

He sat there on the sofa, relaxed, elbows resting on his knees, his expression calm and open as he spoke, showing no embarrassment over being his age without love or marriage.

Most people, at this age and still single, would feel pressured by gossip and judgment, doubting themselves—wondering if they weren’t good enough, which is why they hadn’t found a suitable partner.

But not him. His demeanor clearly conveyed that it wasn’t because he couldn’t find someone—it was because he wouldn’t settle for just anyone. Proud and dignified.

"The reason I’ve remained single is that I view marriage very seriously. I come from an incomplete family myself, and I don’t want my future children to end up in the same kind of situation. That’s why I haven’t married lightly."

Bert patiently explained his attitude toward marriage, every word deliberate.

Catherine found herself realizing that his views on marriage were strikingly similar to her own. She, too, came from an unhappy family, and she, too, approached marriage with caution. She would not give her love or commit to a marriage lightly—but once she did, she would remain loyal and dedicate herself wholeheartedly.

So when Bert finished sharing his thoughts on marriage, Catherine felt a subtle, inexplicable fondness for him stirring in her heart.

Bert noticed these subtle changes in her, and a faint sense of satisfaction arose in him. The reason he had deliberately emphasized his attitude toward marriage was to resonate with her.

Judging by the way she responded, it seemed his purpose had been achieved. He went on to stress once more,

"Although I don’t marry lightly, that doesn’t mean I won’t marry at all. When I meet the right person, I still look forward to marriage—and of course, I would devote myself to it wholeheartedly."

If his earlier words were merely an explanation for his single status, this statement carried a distinctly ambiguous undertone. Catherine bit her lip and looked at him, meeting his intense gaze.

She couldn’t tell if she was imagining things, but it felt as though he had deliberately said that for her to hear.

But what did it mean, that he deliberately emphasized his caution and seriousness regarding marriage?

Just as she was lost in thought, he smiled warmly and asked,

"Do you have any other questions for me?"

Catherine felt flustered.

She didn’t really have anything to ask him—hadn’t he been the one talking the whole time?

Moreover, the way he said it made her feel as if she was supposed to be studying him, an almost dangerously flirtatious tone.

This wasn’t the first time he had created this kind of charged atmosphere between them, and Catherine had no idea what it all meant.

"It’s getting late, I should go start cooking."

She finally found this excuse to turn and rush into the kitchen, unwilling to think too deeply about the implications of his words.

Catherine wasn’t oblivious—over these few encounters, she had sensed his care and subtle attention in both his words and actions.

Yet she refused to believe what she felt. She couldn’t imagine a man as remarkable as him taking an interest in her. After all, they had been complete strangers until recently, and she didn’t believe in love at first sight happening to her.

Besides, someone of his status and position felt completely out of her reach. Having suffered bitterly in past experiences with wealthy families like Gerald’s, Catherine instinctively rejected the world of the rich and powerful.