Chapter 16

"I see. Well, we wouldn't really mind. Didn't Cathy tell you that?" Katie asked. Ezra smiled and replied sheepishly, "She did mention it, but I still kind of care about these things." Throughout the entire conversation, Catherine had barely spoken a word to her parents. Upon noticing that Catherine's mood seemed to have improved a little since the dinner, Katie hesitantly asked, "How have you been these past few months abroad?" Only then did Catherine shift her gaze to Katie and Ezra. Katie found Catherine's transformation from the once clingy, playful girl to this distant, cold woman unsettling. In fact, she felt heartbroken about her change. She wondered if it was the pressure from five months ago that had led to Catherine becoming distant. Catherine merely responded, "It's been fine." Her tone was detached, and she offered no further elaboration. Katie's once hopeful expression began to fade with disappointment. Ezra stepped in to fill the silence. "Cathy was very focused o