Catherine stared at Sean for minutes, and his look was full of grace, not feeling shy or embarrassed. He was used to her enthusiastic look.

"I'm glad you're not hurt," Catherine said.

​​

Sean was upset. Even if he has beaten Hunter up, he had a lot to vent off.

"I'm not underestimating you. You were very brave."

This was the first time Catherine saw Sean fight, and it was one against four.

"They must be good at fighting. After all, they had some training. But you crushed them. They must be so humiliated."

Catherine recalled back at the casino, Sean was also not hurt. Harlan's men looked aggressive, but Sean took care of them one by one. It was at the time Catherine realized how amazing her husband was. He had a badass personality and was a great fighter.

Catherine was a bit worried when the four surrounded Sean. But her worry was not necessary at all. They were not his match.

Sean concentrated on driving. He would continue the fight if Catherine didn't have her period. Sometimes, Sean thought Catherine's presence was to worry him.

He got a call from Geoffrey and knew Catherine had been punished these days. He rushed over. When he saw how Catherine ran with a pale face, he almost lost control of himself.

The screeching the tires rubbed against the ground was annoying. Catherine got out of the car. Seeing Sean's cold face, she sighed. She knew she had to be brave for whatever was coming.

Susan said, "Mr. and Mrs. Blair."

"Hi, Susan," Catherine said.

"I just made cold watermelon juice. I'll bring it to you."

"It's okay, Susan. I don't want anything cold right now."

Susan said, "I see. I'll make you chicken soup."

Before Catherine could answer, Susan started talking about how awful she looked and how she didn't eat well. Catherine felt she was treated like a child.

Sean held Catherine's hands and entered the living room. Others read the room, and all left.

"Your hands are swollen."

Before Sean got mad, Catherine held his hands and saw the swollen redness. It must be from the fight.

Catherine rubbed his hand gently and blew it, despite his surprised look. She said, "Does it hurt a lot? Why don't you tell me so?"

Sean wouldn't make eye contact with Catherine. He didn't answer until minutes later, "Not really."

Sean was ready to give Catherine a hard talking-to, but he had to withdraw the urge. He couldn't be mean to her under the circumstances. He thought she must be here to torture him.

"It's quite a risk you took. How could you fight other instructors? Don't you know how good they are at fighting?"

Sean said, "He's being unfair to you."

Catherine couldn't help grabbing his hand with more force. She said, "It was my fault."

Catherine told Sean what happened the other day. Then she said, "I undermined Hunter's authority in front of everyone. I don't blame him for taking this personally."

"Since when do you become so weak that they could walk all over you?"

Sean always thought of Catherine as a daring girl. So talking back to Hunter wouldn't surprise him.

Catherine said, "If I talk back to him again, he'll punish me more harshly. I cherish my body."

"That's how you cherish yourself? By making yourself look like a mess?"

Sean got so mad looking at Catherine. He wanted to spank her, so she would know the lesson.

Catherine pouted, "I was okay yesterday. I didn't think his tricks would bother me. He could only make me run more laps than others, which is good exercise. But I had my period in the morning and got unwell."

Sean thought Catherine understated her situation. She could barely walk. That was far more serious than getting unwell. Catherine cleared her throat seeing Sean's questionable look, "I'll wrap this up for you."

"It's okay."

"Your hand is swollen. We have a medicine kit, right?"

Sean couldn't stand the smell.

"But-"

"I was hurt way worse in the army when I was a kid. This is nothing."

"Okay. I believe you."

Catherine could understand that Sean wanted to look good in front of her. After all, it was humiliating for him to admit he was hurt.

Sean said, "I can fight another four."

"Yeah. You're the bravest man I've ever seen. No one can match you. Didn't you just knock them over? I admire you, and you're my hero."

"Your hero?"

"You're the hero who saves the beauty."

Sean smiled, "You're the beauty?" He said it in a flirtatious way.

"It's a metaphor."

"But you're right. You're pretty."

Sean reached his hand near Catherine's mouth, "There are other ways to stop the pain."

Sean touched Catherine's soft lips. She was moved and left a warm kiss on the swollen part of his hand.

Seeing Catherine's look wasn't great, Sean didn't continue the flirtation. He rubbed her belly, "Does it still hurt?"

"It's okay." It hurt, but not as bad as in the morning.

"Let's go to bed."

Sean picked her up. Catherine tried to say no, but she decided to go along with it. Sean wouldn't take no for an answer. And his hug was warm.

"I have to wash up first."

"Okay."

Catherine went into the bathroom in pajamas.

Sean has known Hunter's name from Andrew. He was in the battalion led by his big brother.

When Catherine got out, Sean was sitting by the bed. On the counter next to the bed was a cup of hot tea. It smelt nice.

Sean got madder seeing Catherine drying her hair with a towel, "How could you wash your hair?"

Catherine was surprised, "I tried not to. But I sweat a lot and felt awful."

"Your period will get worse. Don't you know?"

"I'll blow it right away."

Catherine was afraid Sean got mad for real and hurried to plug in the hair blower.

Sean stared at Catherine, thinking she would take care of herself, but she just wouldn't.

Catherine trembled and had her back at Sean. She wouldn't look at his vicious look.

But Sean compromised. He went over and grabbed the hair blower, "Sit still!"

Catherine wouldn't move at all.