Divorce Anxiety
Chapter 167

Chapter 167 I No Longer Love You"You're mocking me!” Kathleen gasped.How dare he doubt myintelligence!“Fine, I'm the foolish one then.” Samuel relented reluctantly.Kathleen replied smugly,“Rightfully so, too. I'm going to bed. Goodnight."“Before I forget, thanks for the medicine. Thoughthey might be one of the most bitter ones I've ever tasted,” said Samuel as he fixed his gaze at theback of Kathleen's willowy figure."That was intentional. You're most welcome.”Samuel wasdumbstruck by her imprudence Kathleen continued on her way, leaving behind a resignedSamuel.”I'll finish it up regardless!” Samuel called out, sounding like he had been wronged.A smiletugged on the corner of Kathleen's cherry red lips as she entered her room and shut the door to herbalcony.Samuel lingered on his balcony till Kathleen's curtains were drawn.He had just reached hisroom when his phone began to ring.The caller ID displayed was that of Nicolette.Samuel had lostcount of the number of times his phone had been bombarded by her.He had never picked up anyof her calls accept for that first time.Nevertheless, he had to put a stop to this.”"Do you plain onexplaining yourself, Mr. Macari?" Nicolette mocked over the phone.Samuel couldn't help his risingfeelings of disgust. “I owe you nothing.”Nicolette curled her lips. “I wonder what Kathleen thinks ofyou right now. She must be beside herself, blaming you for everything that transpired?"“Don“tcompare her to the likes of yourself."Nicolette gritted her teeth. “You'll never have her!"“It was youwho sent her that fabricated audio recording a year ago,” Samuel uttered harshly.Nicolette wasstunned to hear this but quickly regained her composure. “What are you going to do aboutit?"Samuel’s eyes were two endless chasms of swirling wrath. “Enough of your games,Nicolette.”Nicolette was the reason all along for the rift between him and Kathleen.”It's too late,Samuel. Kathleen would never believe that we've never slept together before,” Nicolettetaunted.Samuel remained silent.”"We're all grown adults now. Who'd actually care about anoccasional dalliance or two? Unfortunately for you, you can't prove your innocence like a womancan."There was ice running through Samuel's veins. “You repulse me.”It was unthinkable thatNicolette would exploit him as a tool for bragging.Me? Repulsive?Nicolette’s face formed into asnarl. “You only have yourself to blame! This wouldn't have happened at all if you had married me inthe first place.”Samuel was indifferent to Nicolette’s paroxysm of anger.”You should havequestioned the reason behind it instead.”"Why then? Tell me!” Nicolette cried.”I've never loved you,and I never will,” Samuel delivered coolly.lt felt as if someone had landed several blows toNicolette’s gut.She had known this all along but had refused to acknowledge the truth of it.IfSamuel had truly loved her, he would have gone against his family for her sake.She supposed thatshe simply wasn't important enough.Nicolette attempted to cling to a string of hope. “You're sayingthis because Kathleen's around, right?"“She’s not.” Samuel inclined his gaze toward the oppositebalcony.The lights had dimmed.”Don't ever try calling me again. We're over and done with,” Samuelwarned as he swiftly hung up.”Samuel, wait!” Nicolette screamed into the void that was the emptyringing tone.She gripped her phone tightly till her knuckles turned bone white.It had still come tothis in the end.Samuel did not love her.He had never belonged to her, not in the truest sense.Whatmore was the point in her pretending to be his savior?Nonetheless, she would carry the secret of hissavior's identity to her grave.It was the day after Nicolette’s phone call Kathleen was getting into hercar when she spotted Samuel headed her way.He was dressed impeccably in a white dress shirt,dark sweater, and suit with peaked lapels that accentuated his elegance.”Good morning,” Samuelgreeted.”Are you going to work this early? It's only seven o'clock,” Kathleen bemused.Samuelsignaled toward his car. “Hop on. We've got important matters to discuss.”“Are you saying thatthere are trivial matters too?” Kathleen joked.”Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's not the casetoday."Kathleen huffed indignantly.”Get in. It's too cold to stay out for long,” Samuel urged.Thesnow-white cardigan and down jacket Kathleen was engulfed in made her resemble a fluffy furballall the more.Kathleen scanned Samuel from head to toe. “I'm dressed in more layers than youare."Winters in Jadeborough were not to be trifled with.The corner of Samuel's lips lifted inamusement. “Is your heart aching out of sympathy for me?"“You can freeze to death for all Icare."Samuel’s eyes lit with a feral glint. “My car's over there.”"Rumors will be flying all over town ifothers catch sight of me. You should get in my car instead,” Kathleen refused profusely.”Would youstill make it in time after sending me to work?"Kathleen pursed her lips in thought. “Can’t whateverit is be discussed over the phone?"“It's crucial that we discuss this face to face. Besides, I have aflight to catch at nine o'clock.”Kathleen was caught off guard by his statement.”I'll be travelingoutstation for two days due to work,” explained Samuel.Kathleen strode toward Samuel's car. “That'snone of my business.”What an interesting reaction.Samuel followed closely behind.He had left theheater on, so the car was perfectly warm and toasty.Kathleen brought along a thermal flask ofcoffee to keep her functioning throughout the day.Samuel took his place at the driver's seat andfastened his seatbelt. The sunlight reflecting off Samuel's wedding band caught Kathleen's attentionas Samuel rested his hands on the steering wheel.She felt her skull thrumming with a portentmigraine Kathleen couldn't bear the silence any longer and forged on. “So, what is this allabout?"It's regarding the launch of Flobury in three days. As the company’s partner, you shouldattend the opening ceremony as well."Kathleen was taken aback. “Are you sure?"“Don“tunderestimate your importance, dear partner,” Samuel said with a half-smile flirting his lips.Themorning sunlight illuminated his coal-black eyes to a sparkling sheen.”You may set a date withCharles. He'll make the arrangements.”“Considering how much animosity he bears toward me, Idoubt he'd even give me the time of day to voice my request.” Samuel shrugged.“I'm surprisedyou've still got some degree of self-awareness.”Samuel continued to sulk.It's fine then. I'llpersonally convey it to him instead once we're done with the discussion.”Samuel nodded inagreement.Now that everything was settled so breezily, Kathleen felt as if she'd just walked into atrap.This elaborate set-up must have simply been a ploy for her to get into his car. She should havesmelled it from a mile away.Just then, a bag of medicinal herbs in the storage compartmentsnagged her attention.Samuel saw her reaching for it. “I'll drink it later once I've reached theairport.”"Remember to heat it up first.”It's okay,” said Samuel impassively.“You've always had aweak stomach. Drinking it lukewarm would simply defeat it's medicinal purpose in the first place.”Kathleen was furious that Samuel placed his health in such low regard. “What would the doctor sayif he knew of this?"“I'm sorry, but I'm really running short on time,” Samuel respondedgently.Kathleen brows knitted worrisomely. “You should have hired a domestic helper then.”"Sheretrieved the medicinal herbs and warmed it with her heat pack.Problem solved.