Reclaiming Her Heart
Chapter 717 It Doesn't Stir Him in the Slightest

Donovan smacked her, and the whole room went dead quiet.

Catherine had been hit before. She clutched her cheek and plopped down, bawling her eyes out.

Raymond lounged on the couch, watching their drama with a blank face.

Outta nowhere, random memories hit him. This was their usual gig.

Been like this since he was a kid.

He grabbed the teacup from the table, took a sip, and casually asked the servant next to him, "When's dinner ready?" Like nothing in front of him could even make him blink.

Seeing Raymond's coldness, Catherine cried even harder.

The hall was packed with servants. Donovan just felt humiliated. "If you wanna cry, do it outside. Don't mess up our meal." Catherine got up and bolted to the kitchen.

Donovan let out a sigh of relief. He glanced at Raymond, feeling a pang of guilt.

Since Raymond's brain injury, he realized how much he'd missed in his son's life.

"Raymond." That was all he managed to say before Raymond put down his cup. "Dad, let's talk later."

Donovan wanted to apologize, but he shut up after hearing that.

Catherine's sobs echoed from the kitchen, giving everyone a headache.

Donovan couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed his coat. "I'm not eating at home tonight."

Might as well grab a bite with his crew.

Hearing this, Catherine rushed out of the kitchen. "Honey, don't go. I won't cry anymore. Stay for dinner. It's Christmas, after all."

Catherine caved. She'd rather not fight with Donovan than have him ignore her.

But Donovan only felt disgust for her.

He instinctively looked at Raymond. They hadn't shared a meal in ages, but Raymond got up too.

"I'm outta here," Raymond said.

Catherine's face turned icy, eyes full of spite. 'I knew it; Raymond doesn't care about this family or respect me! Should've gotten rid of him back then!'

Catherine took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Dinner's almost ready. You really gonna leave me to eat alone?"

But Raymond was already at the door, not even hearing her.

Catherine finally snapped and started cursing again.

This made Raymond and Donovan leave even faster, her screams trailing behind them. Raymond stood by his car. As soon as he got in, Donovan hopped in the passenger seat. "Take me home, or let's grab a bite somewhere," Donovan said.

"No need, I got plans," Raymond replied.

He had fireworks lined up for the night with Penny. But he could give Donovan a lift.

Seeing the softening in his eyes, Donovan guessed, "Got someone special?"

"Yeah," Raymond said.

First time they ever talked about stuff like this.

Donovan reached into his pocket. The gift was still there, but he was too embarrassed to give it to Raymond.

He owed Raymond and Christopher big time.

Years of chasing his career meant he missed out on their lives.

The year Christopher died, William retired, and the weight on his shoulders got heavier.

The Montague family needed someone in the military to hold power, or their huge estate would be up for grabs.

It wasn't really about Barbara, though her situation made him hate Catherine more. But Catherine did give him two kids.

Over the years, Catherine would lose it and bring up Barbara whenever something happened.

He never had much love for Catherine, and it all turned to disgust.

Donovan was a rational guy, but dealing with a crazy Catherine for over twenty years wore him out, so he stayed away. When Christopher was around, they talked more and worked well together.

After Christopher died and William retired, he had even more to handle.

Last time he came back, he realized his relationship with Raymond was beyond repair.

Donovan's fingers fidgeted in his pocket, but when he met Raymond's cold stare, he just looked straight ahead.