Divorce Anxiety
Chapter 63

“Huh?” Kathleen was surprised at the suggestion. She then remembered how Samuel looked justbefore she left. At times when she spoke to him gently, he would break into a smile.Otherwise,Samuel hardly smiled on normal days.Kathleen was afraid that the family would be put off bySamuel's poker face.Federick smiled. “Just ask him to come in."Kathleen looked rather abashed. “Allright then.”By the time she got downstairs, Samuel had already reached the entrance of thevilla."Mrs. Evans asks you to join us for dinner since you're here,” said Kathleen. Then, she watchedhim apprehensively and added, “That is if you want to come up.”Samuel looked at his timid wife andsaid coolly, “Why do I get this feeling that you don’t want me to join you?“Kathleen shrugged as shereplied, “It's not that. You never introduce your friends to me, but you know all my friends. It doesn’tseem fair."Samuel was at a loss for words.Kathleen looked at him. “So, are you coming up?“Samuelgot down from the car, which indicated that he had accepted the invitation.Kathleen brought himupstairs, and they entered the Evans residence together.The Evans family lived in a mansion.Lily wasa little hesitant when she saw Samuel."This is Mrs. Evans, my old neighbor who also watched megrow up. Mrs. Evans, this is my... husband.” Kathleen made the necessary introductions.She soundedreluctant to address Samuel as her husband.Samuel’s expression turned cold.”Mr. Macari, how doyou do?” Lily greeted Samuel politely."Mrs. Evans, there's no need to be so formal. Since you'reKate's elder who watched her grow up, you are also my elder.” Samuel sounded polite butindifferent and distant.Lily smiled. “Mr. Macari, please take a seat."Samuel nodded.Just then,Federick walked out, carrying Madeline.Madeline was a very adorable girl, and she lookedcherubic.She just did not talk much and hardly made eye contact with anyone.”Madeline, say helloto Mr. Macari.” Federick guided Madeline patiently.Madeline did not respond.”Just call me Samuel.Doesn't she call Kate by her name?” Samuel's tone was curt and unfriendly. Why should she call meMr. Macari?Kathleen surreptitiously tugged at Samuel's sleeve. Do you have to be so petty?Samuelheld her soft, tiny hand in his own.Kathleen was unable to pull her hand away."Let's eat.” Federicksmiled knowingly and led them to the dining room.When everyone was seated, Federick tried tofeed Madeline with a spoon.Madeline was very obedient when she ate.She would only eat whenFederick fed her. When Frederick was not feeding her, she would sit by herself quietly.Despite that,Federick was very patient and did not show signs of irritation at all.Kathleen looked enviously atFederick and Madeline.Samuel marinated in resentment when he saw that Kathleen's gaze was fixedon the father and daughter.ls that guy so good-looking that she has to keep looking at him?“Mr.Macari, do you like kids? If you do, you should have one with Katie. She's a very good girl. I'm sureshe will give birth to a beautiful daughter just like her.” Lily got the impression that Samuel waslooking at Madeline.Samuel turned to look at Kathleen and replied flatly, “She's still young."What hemeant was that they still had many years ahead.Kathleen lowered her head and ate her dinner.Iknew it! You were lying when you said you wanted a child previously. Liar! Hypocrite!Kathleen felther anger building at the thought that Samuel was only trying to sweet-talk her into donating herbone marrow to Nicolette."Katie, don’t be angry.” All of a sudden, Madeline spoke.Stunned,Kathleen looked up and blinked several times.Madeline left her seat and ran up to Kathleen. Shereached out her hand to stroke Kathleen's head. “Don’t be angry.”It was a bittersweet moment forKathleen.She felt that Madeline was such an angel.The little girl could sense that Kathleen wasfeeling down and wanted to comfort her.It was not entirely true that Madeline could notcommunicate with anyone outside her world.Kathleen rubbed Madeline's head fondly. “I'm notangry. I won't get angry.”It won't do my baby any good if I get angry.Delighted, Madeline broke intoa smile.Lily was also thrilled. “Kate, you must be Madeline's guardian angel. She's only responsive toyou.”At that moment, Kathleen's feelings were indescribable. This fragile, delicate girl was actuallyhealing her at the same time.Kathleen’s heart wrenched as she carried Madeline.Shortly after, shereleased Madeline. “Go and eat, Madeline."Madeline nodded and went back to her seat.Federicksmiled. “We should try to get her to interact with others a little every day as part of earlyintervention. Perhaps one day, she will be able to live like a normal person.”At that moment,Kathleen came up with a suggestion. “Federick, why don't I have a video call with Madeline everyday? I can't come here frequently, but I can still talk to her every day. Maybe she can start on earlyintervention treatment soon."Federick hesitated. “Wouldn't that be very troublesome foryou?"Kathleen shook her head. “Not at all. Don't worry about it."“Then, I'll have to trouble you foryour help.” Federick was more than happy to accept Kathleen's help.Kathleen beamed. “You'rewelcome. It's no problem at all."Federick had helped her replace a way to make a living.It was only rightthat she extended a helping hand to his daughter.Soon, they came to an agreement on thematter.After dinner, Kathleen bade the Evans family goodbye.On the way home, Kathleen wasstaring out of the car window.After a while, her brows became knitted. “This is not the wayhome.”Samuel said impassively, “I'm bringing you to meet my friends. They just asked meout."Kathleen shook her head. “I don’t want to go. Your friends don't like me." They will like you.Aren't you a little charmer?” Samuel teased.Cough! Cough! Kathleen gave him a perplexed look."What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not lying. They really don't like me.”She knew a few ofSamuel's friends who were very close to him.These friends knew what Samuel liked ordisliked.Naturally, they were aware that Samuel liked Nicolette.Hence, they were fiercely protectiveof Nicolette, no matter how the others perceived her.They felt that Kathleen was a dog in themanger and treated her with disdain.Two years ago, Samuel's friend had brought him home after hehad gotten drunk.She found the friend's manner toward her distinctly hostile. He even warned hernot to harbor any improper thoughts toward Samuel.The incident had left a vivid impression onKathleen."You're complaining that I don't bring you along to meet my friends. Now that I'm bringingyou, you refuse to go.” Samuel voiced his displeasure.”l just don't want to go. I won't stop you if youwant to go. Let me get off. I can go home myself.” Kathleen was feeling a little tired.Samuelremembered the incident when he left her alone by the road.He quickly turned back to take herhome Kathleen continued, “It's not too late. There are many people out there. You-"“Shut up! I don'twant to hear any more nonsense from you.” Samuel felt a flicker of irritation.He never wanted arepeat of that dreadful episode.Kathleen kept quiet as Samuel drove home.Back at home, Kathleenwent to change her clothes, and Samuel went to his study.Just as he was sitting down, his phonerang."Why are you not here yet?” Cedric Tatham asked impatiently.”I'm not coming,” Samuel repliedunemotionally.”Oh, I know. Go keep Nicolette company then.” Cedric took a swipe atSamuel.Samuel lit a cigarette. “It's not her. I'm with Kathleen.”Cedric was astonished to hearSamuel's response. “Kathleen? You're going to divorce her soon. Why do you need to be withher?"“Who told you I'm going to divorce her?” Samuel became annoyed.”l heard it from yourgrandmother,” Cedric replied.