Once everything settles, I take one last slow dance with my wife. Then, take her home to the townhouse, where I make love to her all night. We decided we don’t want a honeymoon, we just want a few weeks of privacy. Although we promised to be here every Sunday, for family days.
Sunday morning, we wake, making love again before it’s time to go to moms. We’re running a little late by the time we show up, but everyone seemed to expect it. Mom actually pushed lunch back because Theo is running late too. No one knows where he went but mom doesn’t seem worried. She also doesn’t seem well, either. Her coloring is a little off. I asked her about it, but she says that she just didn’t sleep well last night.
Suddenly, we all hear the door slam shut, mom stands as Theo runs into the house screaming her name,
“Catherine!”
He storms into the living room where we all are and throws a medical file down on the floor at mom’s feet.
“When were you going to tell us?! When were you going to tell me?!”
We all look down at the scattered papers on the floor then back at mom, looking for answers. Her face is pale as she tries to speak but nothing comes out. Suddenly she falls to the floor passing out.
“Mom!” We all run towards her all shouting her name, “Mom!”
THE END
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More to come…
Art of Survival – Catherine’s story
Books Already Out
Art of Seduction – Gabriel’s story
Art of Forgiveness – Liam’s story
Art of War – Zander’s story
Art of Loyalty - Vin’s story
Prologue to Art of Survival
Survival,
You want to know what it takes to be me?
It takes everything!
Ask me if I have anything left, and I’ll tell you the truth. I’m not sure?
Life has been hard, too hard for most. But I did it, I survived the system, the streets and I even survived my husband.
I did my time and raised my children. I have even seen them flourish and fall in love.
Everyone I hold dear is taken care of and now I’m tired. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I have lived a life of fighting battle after battle and I’m simply tired.
You think you know me? You think you know the things I’ve been through?
You know nothing!
Knowing and living them are two different things. You have no clue what it took for me to survive. You don’t know what it took for me to take my place at the top of food chain.
The men I had to go through, or the things I had to do to earn their respect, or even the men I used to get me there.
You might think, why do it? Why live this life? You might even think I could have escaped. I might have been able to at one point, but go where and do what?
The only thing I knew was how to survive. It was drilled into me from a young age. You either learned or you drowned in the anguish.
I’ve seen so many that had no chance of survival because they were too weak, too innocent to do the things it took. But not me.
With all that said, I did what I had to, and I don’t need penance, it wouldn’t do any good. I made the choices and I will pay the price.
I sit here and think sometimes of all the people who look at me and see nothing but the façade I’ve created. They see what I want them to see, the lie, the idol, the dream. I watch them, knowing what they’re thinking, that they want to be just like me, to be Catherine Stern!
If they only knew the truth!
Catherine Stern
About the Author
Written by Monique Orgeron’s eldest, most beautiful, and intelligent daughter. (My sister is going to hate this part.)
My mom happens to be the most caring, loving, and stubborn person I know, well anyone knows. She gives 100% percent of herself to everyone and has given up so much of herself for my sister and I. For twenty-one years she has poured her heart and soul into making sure we know that we are loved and that we can do anything we put our minds too, but it was about time she figured that out about herself.
Up until this year I hadn’t seen my mom do anything for only her, but this book has allowed her to travel the world through the pages of a book, make new friends, and feel the joy of doing something exciting.
There is a new light behind her eyes and it is just making me feel more joy than she can ever imagine. While she might be annoying most of the time, I am so thrilled that she is finally allowing herself to grow as a person and not spend all of her energy on her family.
It has been a long journey of self-discovery for my mom; she has gone from domestic supermom to domestic goddess throughout the process of writing.
We are so very excited and proud of you! I love you as big as the world.
-Bria and Tony
Art of Loyalty (A Stern Family Saga Book 4) Page 30
