The old man with the cane, Great Grandfather Jenkins, smiled warmly at Catarina, his eyes twinkling with kindness.
"Ah, Catarina, dear child, it's so nice to finally meet you in person. I've heard so much about you from Lucas." He paused, his gaze flicking to Ryder, who was still the object of Isabella's adoration.
"And Ryder, my boy, always so dashing and charming. I'm glad to see you're taking care of our Catarina." Isabella's eyes narrowed, her face pinched with envy, as she watched the exchange between Great Grandfather Jenkins and Catarina. She couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment towards Catarina, who seemed to be effortlessly winning over the family members that Isabella had always tried to impress. Catarina, however, remained oblivious to the tension, her expression neutral as she listened to Great Grandfather Jenkins' warm words.
Great Grandfather Jenkins' eyes sparkled with warmth as he took Catarina's hand in his. "Come, child, let's sit and talk. I want to hear all about you." He led her to a nearby chair, his cane thumping gently on the floor. Catarina followed, her expression softening slightly as she sat beside him.
"Great Pops," Catarina said and Old Man Jenkins burst out laughing.
"Child call me whatever you please I am sorry it took us so long to find you my dear grandchild, you must have suffered a lot," Old Man Jenkins said and Catarina remained silent. Old Man Jenkins touched Catarina who flinched.
Catarina's eyes flashed with a hint of wariness, her body tensing up at the touch. She quickly composed herself, her expression neutral once more.
"It's fine, Great Pops," she said quietly, her voice softening slightly as she looked at Old Man Jenkins' kind face. She seemed to be struggling to accept the affection, her past experiences making her wary of physical touch.
Old Man Jenkins sat down on his wheelchair and Catarina pushed him everyone sat down at the table.
"Ah Catarina I heard you have triplets," Old Man Jenkins said. Her Great Aunts, aunts, uncles seems to disapprove this how can a seventeen to an eighteen old be a mother at such a young age!
"Penelope, Hunter, and Peter are doing good Great Pops, you will meet them some day," Catarina said gently.
"Cousin how can have kids aren't you scared to shame our family?" Isabella asked.
"Do not worry my kids are smarter than you," Catarina snapped and Isabella clenched her jaw.
"You!!!!"
"What?"
Catarina's eyes flashed with a hint of warning, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What, Isabella? You think I'm ashamed of my children? They're the only ones who don't judge me for who I am. Unlike some people who are more concerned with appearances and social status." She glanced at Isabella, her gaze piercing.
"I'd rather be a mother at 17 than a shallow, spoiled brat like you." The room fell silent, with the other family members exchanging uncomfortable glances. Old Man Jenkins, however, chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Ah, Catarina, you always speak your mind, don't you?"
Lucas, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up, his voice smooth as silk.
"Isabella, I think that's enough. Catarina's children are none of your concern." He turned to Catarina, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Actually, I'm curious to meet your triplets. I'm sure they're just as charming as their mother." Ryder, who had been watching the exchange with interest, nodded in agreement.
"I'd like to meet them too, Catarina. I'm sure they're quite the handful." Catarina's expression softened slightly, her eyes flicking to Lucas and Ryder.
"Maybe one day," she said quietly.
Everyone ordered food. Catarina let out a sigh she took a sip of her drink at this moment her and her cousin Isabella just didn't like each other while Isabella thought that Catarina was trying to steal Ryder away from her which she isn't, it just seems like they both have different point of views of the world. The food came at the table the ladies were elegant while eating as for Catarina she didn't just eat salad she eat the food that was in front of her when people asked her questions she would either nod or shake her head she was indifferent and cold.
As Catarina finished her meal, she pushed her plate away, her expression neutral. She seemed to be lost in thought, her eyes gazing off into the distance. The other family members continued to chat and laugh, but Catarina remained detached, her indifference a palpable presence at the table. Isabella, who had been watching Catarina with a mixture of disdain and curiosity, spoke up, her voice dripping with condescension.
"Well, Catarina, I must say, I'm surprised you have such...unrefined eating habits. Don't you think you should try to be more...elegant?" Catarina's gaze snapped back to Isabella, her eyes flashing with a hint of annoyance. She raised an eyebrow, her expression unyielding.
"Why?"
Isabella's eyes widened, taken aback by Catarina's directness.
"Well, because it's more... ladylike," she said, her voice dripping with superiority. Catarina's expression remained unyielding, her eyes never leaving Isabella's face.
"I don't see the point in eating like a bird when I'm hungry," she said, her voice flat.
"Besides, I'm not trying to impress anyone." The table fell silent, the other family members exchanging uncomfortable glances. Ryder, who had been watching the exchange with interest, spoke up, his voice smooth as silk.
"I think Catarina has a point, Isabella. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a good meal."
The more Ryder helped Catarina the more Isabella became jealous she nodded her head and acted like a perfect princess. But for Catarina she has seen people like her and that's because of Evelyn that woman can be as fake as they can get. She found Isabella annoying but not to the point she wanted to smack her to death.
"Great Pops, you seem to have a heartache here is some medicine," Catarina said sweetly.
"Oh my thank you Cat." Catarina didn't allow many people to call her by her nickname her ears turned around.
"Great grandpa! You can't take that it's trash!" Isabella grabbed the bottle.
Catarina's eyes narrowed, her expression darkening.
"What's wrong with it?" she asked, her voice low and even. Isabella's eyes flashed with a hint of triumph.
"This is a cheap, over-the-counter medication. Great Grandfather needs something much stronger and better quality." Catarina's gaze never left Isabella's face, her eyes boring into her.
"I didn't think it was necessary to waste money on expensive medication when something simpler would do." Isabella's smile grew wider, her voice dripping with condescension.
"You wouldn't know anything about taking care of someone, would you? I mean, you're just a...single mother." The air was thick with tension as Catarina's eyes seemed to flash with anger, but she kept her cool, her expression unyielding.