Luca nods in sympathy and hands me a whisky, a knowing look in his eyes. “You’ll need this,” he says, shaking his head. “Lex made a presentation.” Faye’s always reminded me of a porcelain doll — beautiful, but devoid of emotions. Every interaction I’ve ever had with her seemed eerily practiced, robotic even. I now realize she’s been putting on an act for me, hiding the best parts of herself. What I don’t understand is why. The song is distorted, ruined by the piano’s need for tuning, but somehow, it suits my mood far better than the normally light and uplifting tilt of Liszt’s famous tune. It sounds as broken as I am, and the notes I miss would’ve made my mother cringe. She’d have flinched at the way I’m butchering her favorite piece, the way her piano sounds due to my negligence, and then she’d have pasted on a bright reassuring smile, because that’s who she was. She was warmth, love, and the light in my life. My world has been cast in shadows since the day I lost my parents, and I don’t think I’ll ever claw my way out. I’m on edge throughout the rest of the show, my disappointment in myself only perturbing me further. The audience deserves my very best, and I’m withholding that from them because I’m failing to put my emotions aside. Catharina Maura’s novel “Dr. Grant” is a compelling romance about Dr. Noah Grant. He is a man that has had a very difficult life following the murder of his parents while he was still a child.

Abigail’s head snaps up, and she looks into my eyes, seemingly caught off-guard. “Yes,” she says, but she no longer sounds as sure as she used to. “Of course it will.” How long has this been going on?” I ask, unable to keep the question buried. Her answer won’t make a difference, but I need to know. Why, I’m not quite sure. She currently makes her home in Hong Kong, even though she has lived in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The Catharina Maura series is a collection of romance novels authored by Catharina Maura, which explore themes like temporary wife situations, unwanted marriages, and the challenges couples face in finding true love despite obstacles. Raven is a famous model and designer, while Valentina, Luca’s wife, is the COO of Windsor Finance. They’re both so powerful in their own right, and I could never measure up. I’m scared standing next to them will make the difference all the more obvious, and I’m not sure how Dion might respond to that kind of embarrassment. Powerful men rarely handle any level of humiliation well.

However, Catharina Maura still gets surprised every single time one of the readers of her novels reaches out to declare that they love her books. When was the last time she tried to defend me? I’d never want her to get between my father and me, because that would only make matters worse, but shouldn’t she at least be a little concerned? Thoughts of her are always accompanied by remorse, and today is no different. Remorse for everything I’ve taken from her, and everything I’m yet to destroy. She should’ve had her entire life ahead of her, but instead, I’ll ruin what’s left of her. Raven stares at me and shakes her head. “Liar,” she murmurs, her expression serious. I can’t hold her gaze when she looks at me like that. Raven has always seen straight through me. Even though she is sometimes referred to as Surinamese, she is more specifically Indo-Surinamese. During the 1800s her Indian parents moved to South America to work as indentured servants.

Faye looks into my eyes and takes a deep breath. “I’ll end it,” she whispers, and relief rushes through me. If that wasn’t enough, then what will he do to us when he sees the articles about Dion and Maria? “Are you sure money will change everything?” I ask, my voice soft. Despondency turns into desolation as I take another bite of my food, pretending to be unaffected. I’m glad neither of my sisters are standing in my shoes, but I’d give the world to have one single day of true freedom — of not feeling like a sacrifice, a broodmare.I thought he’d stopped hurting her now the wedding date has been set. He seemed calmer lately, but was that only because the anger he usually reserves for me transferred to Abigail? There goes my credibility! How can I give advice when my relationship just failed spectacularly in a viral video? I swore never to take that job offer from my brother’s best friend. That arrogant, grumpy, know-it-all! But when he’s the only one willing to give me a second chance, I’m out of options. Turns out, working for the grump I loathe may be the best decision I ever made. Only one problem. There’s an undeniable attraction growing between us. I will myself to bite my tongue, but my resentment for him overpowers my need for self-preservation. “You needn’t have come. I wasn’t expecting you,” I tell him, the contempt in my tone blatant. Why is it that I’m struggling to control my tongue around him these days, when I’ve always excelled at it?

How much does a room here cost?” I ask, the words leaving my lips before the thought has truly formed, before the consequences tied to them catch up to me. For years, he made his unwillingness known, but his attempts to keep Faye at a distance fade to dust at the sight of her with another man—mere months before their wedding. Her gaze lands on mine, but she struggles to focus on me, to regain control over her body. “Breathe for me, sweetheart,” I plead, my guilt eating at me. I’m already infecting her — I’m the reason she’s in this state. I should’ve handled this situation with more care, but I let my anger and indignation take over. “You’re fine, Faye,” I whisper, as though I can wish it into existence. Another tear rolls down her cheek, and her lashes flutter closed. I sigh and reach for her, noting the way her body tenses as I gently cup her cheek with my right hand, my thumb brushing away her tears. “Look at me,” I plead. Dr. Grant” is the second novel of the “Off Limits” series of novels by Catharina Maura. It tells the beautiful romance story of Amara the Ph.D. student and Noah that just qualified as a doctor.We’re all just waiting for it — waiting for Father to snap at us over something. Will it be the food today? Perhaps he’ll think we’re chewing too loudly. Whatever it is, something is bound to give. Normally, he’d already have left for work by now, and the fact he hasn’t does not bode well for any of us. Use it how?” she asks, her tone cautious. This is the exact tone she’s always taken with me, and now I know what she sounds like when she reveals her emotions, this falls flat in comparison. There’s so much distance between us, and I’m not sure how to eradicate it.