Divorce Anxiety
Chapter 218

Chapter 218 Close FriendKathleen nodded.With her brows furrowed, Gemma asked, “So you two arecousins, right?"*Yes.” Kathleen pursed her lips. “But I refuse to acknowledge her as mycousin.”"Right! Someone like her isn't good enough to be your cousin. No wonder there's aresemblance between you and Nicolette.”Kathleen replied calmly, “Yes. I even became herreplacement back then.”Samuel cleared his throat, trying to soothe the awkwardness.As though shehad sensed something, Gemma replied, “I'll be on duty tonight, so I'll take care of your granny foryou.”"Gem, thank you,” Kathleen expressed her gratitude."There's no need to thank me.” Lookinginto Kathleen's eyes, Gemma said, “Look at your dark circles. They look so bad. Hurry and go hometo have some rest.”“All right. I'll get going now.” Kathleen nodded."Okay. Be careful on your wayhome,” reminded Gemma.Kathleen gave a slight nod and tugged at Samuel before leaving.Afterleaving the hospital, Kathleen and Samuel got into a Maybach.Samuel let out a cough and said, “I'venever taken you as a replacement before. Never."He could ensure that, at least. Although Kathleenand Nicolette resembled one another, and sometimes he had also wondered why they looked soalike, he had never taken Kathleen as Nicolette's replacement.Pursing her red lips, Kathleen replied,“It doesn’t matter anymore.”In a deep voice, Samuel muttered, “Kate, if I had taken you as herreplacement, I would've only disliked you more."Kathleen shot him a sideways glance.” know myselfwell, and I think you do too.” Samuel's voice was hoarse. “If I couldn't accept how you resembleNicolette, I wouldn't have married you." Initially, he married Kathleen due to pressure fromDiana.However, he definitely did not see Kathleen as Nicolette's replacement.If he had really doneso, he would have resented Kathleen more, and he would not have thought of going near her.Thetruth was that he had already done so since the beginning, and he had fallen head over heels inlove with her.”l trust you.” Kathleen held the steering wheel with her slender fingers as shecontinued, “Samuel, I could still make my own judgment on some matters. The misunderstandingwasn't the reason why we got divorced."Kathleen and Samuel were both clear-minded.They wereaware that their divorce was not caused by the reason that someone had sowed discord betweenthem.Even if there were some misunderstandings, and they were to talk things out, they would stilldivorce in the end.The root of the problem was that they were not meant for each other.Her voicewas faint as she said, “Did you realize that we actually got along well before our marriage and afterour divorce?"Samuel did not say a word."Perhaps, that could only mean that it'd be better for us tostay friends.” Kathleen had no choice but to make herself clear.Suddenly, Samuel gently placed hiscold finger against her thin lips.His gaze on her was gentle as he replied, “You don't have to explainto me, and you don't have to feel pressured. Kate, I'm not doing anything to you. After you've donetreating me, it's all up to you whether you wish to leave or stay. I'll not stop you. Besides, I'll agree ifyou want to keep in touch. If you wish to stay as friends, we'll stay friends then.”Furrowing herbrows, Kathleen asked, "Do you really understand what I mean?”Samuel responded with a nod.”Allright, then.” Kathleen took a deep breath, and the refreshing scent of the man wafted through hernose. “Can you stop with those gestures that a friend wouldn't do, like holding my hand, touchingmy face and head?"Samuel paused for a second before replying, “Okay."Kathleen gave him asidelong glance and questioned, “Have you really kept that in mind?"“Yes.” After a momentarypause, Samuel continued, “Could you tell me what kind of friends we are to each other?"“Ordinaryfriends,” Kathleen emphasized.”If we're just like what you said, would you be this harsh to yourordinary friend?” Samuel asked seriously.Kathleen was rendered speechless in an instant.Haha! Sonow I'm the one to be blamed!“Kate, can I say something?” Samuel asked cautiously.”Go ahead.” Forsome reason, Kathleen was getting impatient and furious all of a sudden.”l cant be your friend, andyou feel the same, too.” Samuel went straight to the point. “It is because we used to be husbandand wife.”Kathleen remained silent.”Let’s be each other's close friends. After all, some physicaltouches are inevitable. What do you think?” Samuel suggested casually.“Close friends?” Kathleensneered. “Do you know how easy it is for close friends to step over the line?”“Why would you thinkclose friends tend to step over the line?” Samuel's charming face grew solemn. “Have you ever hadany close friends?"Kathleen was tongue-tied. The man’s warm breath lingered around her. “Youwould know how good it feels to have a close friend after having one. Moreover, we're businesspartners. I don’t think we could be considered ordinary friends."Kathleen shot him a suspiciouslook.Samuel’s gaze darkened as he stared at her.Without saying a word, Kathleen pursed her lipsslightly and started the engine.Samuel cast her an unfathomable look. “So, is that a yes?"“Shut up!”Kathleen exclaimed, enraged.Samuel curled his lips into a wicked smirk. knew she would agree toit. Kathleen and Samuel went back to the Johnson residence together.As Samuel had regainedconsciousness and no longer needed someone to take care of him, he went straight for themedicinal bath after having his meal. Meanwhile, Kathleen was resting in the guest room.Herbedroom was occupied by Samuel as usual.Just as she was looking into the script, Caleb's call camein."Hello.” Kathleen picked up the phone.“Are you busy?” Caleb's voice sounded rather husky.Eversince Kathleen had exposed his intention, he was filled with an indescribable sense of guiltwhenever he faced her."Not really,” replied Kathleen. “Did something happen to your sister?"Calebfell silent for a moment before he questioned, “Can I only call you when something happens to mysister?"”Of course not. If there's anything wrong with your health, you can also call me.” Kathleenpaused for a bit. “You have to pay, though.”Caleb was at a loss for words Blinking, Kathleen askedagain, “It isn't about your sister, but you're feeling unwell, huh?"“Hah!" Caleb chuckled and retorted,“I know you're turning me down indirectly.”Kathleen did not reply.”You used me to free yourselffrom Samuel, but why do you two get closer and closer to each other?” Caleb questioned in a lowvoice.Kathleen bit her lip.“Kathleen, I'm serious about being with you.” Caleb looked up and staredat the window of her room. “Could you give me a chance?"Kathleen was slightly taken aback.“Caleb, you...""Couldn’t you? Have you already accepted Samuel?” Caleb asked gravely."No.”Kathleen shook her head. “Caleb, I don't plan to get into a relationship again, and I mean it. So Ihave no idea why all of you are forcing me to end my single life. I'm happy on my own, and I get toenjoy the freedom. Also, I have my own career. Love and marriage aren't everything. Why are bothof you making me get back together or be in a relationship with you? As though romance is theonly thing that matters in the world.”She was truly annoyed.She had all the dreams and goals shewanted to achieve, and there were many more meaningful things that were worth her time andattention.Yet, these people were trying to have her trapped in a relationship. She was troubled andfrustrated.