Divorce Anxiety
Chapter 54

In the evening, Samuel returned home as the sun was setting.Kathleen had been drawing.When sheheard sounds coming from outside the door, she immediately got up.A look of surprise appearedon her fair and delicate face when she went out. “Y-You're back?"Samuel stared at her.Why is she soshaken up? I just happen to get off work on time.”I told you I'll come back earlier, didn't 1?” Samuelsaid flatly. “You seem unhappy.”In the past, Kathleen would always welcome him warmly when hereturned.She would even jump into his arms if he was in a better mood.Now, she did not seem veryhappy.”No, I'm not unhappy.” Even Kathleen herself wasn't sure if she was happy or not.Perhaps itwas because Samuel had disappointed her too many times, so much so that she did not know whatto feel anymore.”Wash your hands and come to dinner.” Samuel said coldly."Okay,” Kathleen repliedindifferently.She went to the bathroom to wash up.Just then, a tall shadow suddenly shroudedher.Samuel reached out and held her hands. “I'll help you.”“I'm not a child.” Kathleen puffed hercheeks. She looked cute that way.”So... I can't help if you're not a child?” Samuel gave her a gentlepeck on the cheek Kathleen wanted to evade him, but she was trapped in Samuel's arms.Her bodywas quite soft.Dirty thoughts aroused in Samuel's mind as she squirmed in his arms.”Don’t move.”Samuel's voice was deep and hoarse. “If you keep moving, I'll eat you before dinner.”Kathleen bither lip angrily. “One month!"“It's less than a month.” Samuel smiled Kathleen remained silent. Shegritted her teeth.Samuel helped her wash her hands before letting her go.Once Kathleen was freedfrom his arms, she headed to the dining room and waited for him.Samuel came soon after.He satdown.Maria had already prepared dinner.Kathleen and Samuel dug in once they were seated.Theydid not interact with each other at all throughout the meal.Samuel was used to Kathleen telling himeverything about her day.He found it odd that she was being so quiet."What have you been doingtoday?” Samuel asked.”I've been painting.” Kathleen knew that she couldn't hide from Samuel thefact that she was working for Federick.Since it was impossible to hide it, Kathleen did not wish tomake things difficult for herself.Samuel’s face darkened. “Are you really going to keep thisjob?"Kathleen glanced at him calmly. “This job isn't embarrassing you, is it?”Samuel looked at hercoldly. “Do you think that's what I meant?"“If not, what else do you mean?” Kathleen askedmeaningfully.”Kathleen, I provide you with a hefty sum for living expenses.” Samuel's voice wasrather cold.Why does she want to take on such an exhausting job? If she’s short on cash, she couldhave just told me Kathleen's grip tightened on her fork. “If you think it's too much, you can reduceit. We can both contribute to the household expenses from now on. I'm fine with that.”Samuel felt aflicker of irritation.She’s always twisting my words!Kathleen drank her soup quietly. “Samuel, I needto work. I don't want my life to be completely under your control. Do you understand?”Samuelfroze.”You have control over my life as well as my finances,” Kathleen said bitterly. “If I leave you, Iwill become useless. I don't want that, so I need to work.”I believe I've said before that we won't geta divorce.” Samuel looked at her with a cold expression.Kathleen lowered her eyes when she met hiscold gaze. “I'm sorry. I can't trust you for the time being.”"What do you want me to do?” Samuel'svoice remained ice-cold."Think about it, Samuel. You haven't forgotten Nicolette after so manyyears. Can you really forget everything about her now?” Kathleen asked flatly. “So, I'm sorry to saythis, but I cannot believe you when you said we won't get a divorce. I can't bring myself to believeit."Samuel’s eyes flashed coldly. “Then, what about the one-month deadline you've set?"“Samuel, it'simpossible for you to sever ties with Nicolette even if I gave you a year.” Kathleen said quietly as sheput away her utensils, “That one month is just a buffer.”Samuel stared at her coldly. He wished thathis eyes could tear a hole through her.”Samuel, if we dont get a divorce, what do you plan to dowith Nicolette?” When Kathleen was not acting coquettishly, she had the air of an aloof fairy.Samuelsaid nothing.”She is the Yoeger family's illegitimate child. The Yoeger family won't acknowledge her,so she is not entitled to any of their assets. That means you'll have to support her for the rest of herlife, is that right?” Right then, Kathleen's charming face was beautiful but cold. “In that case, it will beimpossible for you to sever ties with her in this lifetime. You'll be at her beck and call whenever shewants you. My feelings won't matter to you, and I won't be able to stop you.”"How are you so surethat I'll do that?” Samuel said, infuriated.”Because you have done it before,” Kathleen replied quietly.“Samuel, I can't accept that there's a woman out there whom you long for. Similarly, you can'taccept Christopher's feelings for me.”Samuel froze.”Are you surprised?” Kathleen went onindifferently. “Just because I don't have a temper, that doesn't mean I'm not intelligent. I can tellthat Christopher likes me. However, because of who we are, I've always avoided him. You saw him atGranny's house today. That's why you said those weird things, am I right?"Samuel stared at hercoldly."Samuel, I want a husband who loves me wholeheartedly. I love you, but that does not mean Imust stay with you.” Kathleen stood up. “As long as Nicolette exists, we will never reconcile. It's timeto let go."Kathleen turned around.Just then, Samuel grabbed her wrist. He questioned her harshly,“Do you fancy Christopher?“Kathleen smiled bleakly. “Why don’t you admit that you've hurt me?Why are you accusing me of having feelings for other people instead?”"Samuel’s gaze remained ice-cold.”Don't worry. I'm not so desperate that I'll settle for the first man I see,” Kathleen said proudly.“I won't settle for just any man. My husband must love only me. He can only offer his love to me. Ifhe does that to someone else, then I don’t want him.”“Kathleen, you should know that Nicolette andI would have gotten married long ago if it wasn't for you,” Samuel retorted.”Does that mean I haveto endure it?" A cold smile formed on Kathleen's face. “Samuel, ask yourself. Is it really my fault thatthe two of you can't be together?”Samuel frowned Kathleen was innocent in this matter.She hadnever forced Samuel to marry her, and neither had she begged Diana to let her marry him.Havingstayed in the Macari residence for so many years, Kathleen had never done anything to make othersdislike her When Samuel and Nicolette were dating, Kathleen had never harassed Nicolette.She wasnot that sort of person.She was willing to hide her feelings for Samuel in her heart forever.Samueland Nicolette could not be together because Nicolette was unwelcomed.It was Diana and Wynniewho disapproved of their relationship.Kathleen was aware of it all.