All Her Secrets

Things at the lab wrapped up quicker than expected. Remembering Branden's instructions before they parted ways, Catherine messaged him for him to pick her up.

It took about half an hour to get here from the apartment.

Shortly after sending the message, Catherine got a reply from Branden, which read, [I'm waiting at the door.] Putting aside what she was working on, Catherine grabbed her coat and headed out.

Just as she stepped out, she spotted a man standing in the chilly wind.

She thought she might have to wait a while, but she didn't expect that he had never left. Catherine walked right up to him. Seeing that, Branden began to take off his coat.

"No!" Catherine refused him outright. Seeing Branden frown, she explained, "I'm not cold. We can get in the car right away." Seeing her insist, Branden didn't push further.

He opened the car door for Catherine and guided her carefully. He was afraid that she might bump into something.

Once inside the car, Catherine felt bored and struck up a conversation with Branden.

"Why didn't you head back? Aren't you worried I'll be busy until midnight?" Catherine smiled faintly and cast a meaningful look at him.

When an experiment encounters problems, there's no telling how much tit could take to fix the problem. Before Catherine found the problem in the experiment, she didn't know how long it would take, let alone Branden.

Surprised by her rare initiative in asking, Branden looked at her confidently and said, "If an hour's not enough, then two. If two aren't enough, I'll wait till dawn. Eventually, you'll crack it, right?" Catherine pursed her lips and nodded in agreement. "Makes sense!" They exchanged a smile and looked at each other.

When Patrick cout with Marshall, they caught sight of the car driving away.

"These young folks nowadays are way wilder than we were back then!" Marshall noticed the car from the start and saw it hadn't moved, indicating Branden hadn't left. Compared to Marshall's calmness, Patrick was much more surprised.

He knew Branden and Catherine were close. Moreover, he understood that when young people were in love, they were glued together and would want to spend 24 hours together.

Branden, who was always

just how highly Catherine

shook her head and replied, Not sleepy. I want to play a gfor a while." "Alright." Branden reached to switch on the backseat lights. Playing games in a dark

gto pass the twhile they drove home, but as soon as she opened her phone, she

opened the email and found

hoped Catherine could spend a few days in Oceanvile to

lab and checking the experiment data firsthand, as it would provide a direct understanding

her phone to Branden without hiding anything. She let him read it himself

she was open about it, Branden readily took the phone to

going through it, he understood Catherine's intent and gave an

for the lab..." Before he could finish, Catherine smiled and said, “As for the lab, I'll talk to Professor Hartley myself and request

slept soundly until dawn the next day. She noticed that her insomnia symptoms had been

the past, she relied on sleeping pills

Each tshe attempted, Branden would toss

she couldn't sleep, he would resort to force. He would use his strong

Sometimes, she'd fall asleep in the car on their way back, and

bed, Catherine stepped into the

Branden waiting for her.

the plates and bowls. They were all her favorite foods, which

work commitments, he ensured she had something to eat

quite a good

felt reassured and sat down to indulge in the

pack her bags, she found that Branden had arranged her luggage neatly

which was just the way she