Divorce Anxiety
Chapter 74

“I don't love you,” Samuel said coldly. “In the past, I didn't understand what love was. You saved mylife, for which I was grateful, and I naively thought that was love. But when I heard that Kathleen lostour children, I finally realized I don't love you.”He had rushed to the hospital back then and heardfrom Wynnie that Kathleen managed to pull through.Their children, unfortunately, didn't make it. Atthat moment, the one thing that Samuel panicked most about was what would happen to him ifKathleen died.If Kathleen left this world, where would I go to replace her?In that instant, he realizedwho he truly loved.Kathleen! I love Kathleen and I can't lose her!Nicolette, on the other hand,couldn't believe her ears. “You love her? But you just said you didn't know what love was." That maybe so, but I do know that I don’t have that feeling when I'm with you,” Samuel retorted. “I mighthave already fallen in love with Kathleen from the day she became my wife. I just hadn't noticedthen.”"Samuel, if it weren't for your family’s disapproval, we'd have gotten married long ago!”Nicolette whimpered as tears coursed down her cheeks.Alas, Samuel remained cold and distant. “Ifrelationships can't stand the test of time, it'd mean there wasn't true love. I've probably never likedyou that much, which explains why I gradually fell for Kathleen after you left. Or perhaps, my beingwith you was just a form of rebellion. The more my family disapproves of something, the more Iwant to go against them.”"How could you treat me like this, Samuel?” Nicolette asked amidst sobs.“Don’t you know you're my only hope?”I've painstakingly put on this act for so long because of him,yet he's now telling me he doesn't love me? No! I won't allow that!”Since you've saved my lifebefore, I'm willing to wipe the slate clean between us,” Samuel uttered calmly. “From today onward,we'll have nothing to do with each other. I'll arrange for you to start a new life abroad and alsoensure that you'll live comfortably for the rest of your life. However, you are not to show up in frontof Kathleen again. I won't allow you to bother her either.”Nicolette continued to cry, indignant atthe way Samuel had treated her.Her goal had always been to marry rich so she could haughtilyreturn to the Yoegers and laugh in their faces.Now, however, all her hopes and dreams wereshattered.She had nothing left.On the other end, Samuel promptly hung up the phone and turnedto Tyson."Tyson, have you prepared everything I told you to?""There’s just a bit more to go.""Hurryup, then."Tyson nodded. “Understood!"When Kathleen finally woke up, it was already ten in themorning.She opened her eyes and saw Emily sitting by her bed. “Aunt Emily."Emily was WynnieStaines’ elder sister, which made her Samuel's aunt.Therefore, it was only right for Kathleen to callher by that too.”Oh, you're awake,” Emily replied as her lips curled into a smile.She carried herselfwith an air of ladylike elegance, while Wynnie was a tough, no-nonsense career woman.The twosisters, without a doubt, were very different.Surprised by the visit, Kathleen blurted out, “Aunt Emily,what are you doing here?"*I came to see you. By the way, I've made some mushroom soup. Trysome,” Emily replied as she poured a bow! of soup and placed it in Kathleen's hands.The soupsmelled delicious and since it wasn't too hot, the latter drank it immediately and felt it warming upher insides.”Aunt Emily, I'm sorry to have troubled you.”"Please, don’t stand on ceremony with me,”Emily said with a grin. “Your mother-in-law's busy, so she got me to help take care of you. Let meknow if there's anything you need.”Kathleen shook her head. “I don't need anything, AuntEmily.”“You're being polite with me again. It's really no bother at all.””I really don’t need anything,Aunt Emily,” Kathleen mumbled as she quietly finished her soup.Upon hearing that, Emily let out asigh. “It's heart-rending to see you like this, you know?”Kathleen merely pursed her pale lips andsaid nothing.”Well, what did Samuel say?” Emily asked concernedly.”He said he wants to live happilywith me."“People often fail to appreciate what they have until it's gone,” Emily uttered. “The wholefamily has tried to talk some sense into him, but he’s just too conceited.”As it turned out, Emily wasabsolutely right.Samuel was the CEO of Macari Group, and being in that powerful position gave hima superiority complex.Because of that, there were many times when he refused to accept otherpeople's opinions or advice.lt took a painful loss before he finally understood what everyone elsehad been trying to tell him.Once again, Kathleen was silent.“What about you?” Emily probed.” don'twant to,” Kathleen answered as she bit her lip. “But if I were to ask for a divorce, I know he wouldn'tagree to it."Even if the rest of the world forced him to do so, Samuel would still stubbornly refuse tosign the divorce agreement.Besides, if divorce had ever been a viable option, things wouldn't havehad to drag on till now.Now that Kathleen was thinking about it again, she realized how laughablethe situation was.In the beginning, Samuel was the one who wanted a divorce, and she agreed toit.Later, he changed his mind, but it became her turn to ask for a divorce Just like that, the two ofthem went back and forth with no end in sight.Emily caressed Kathleen's pale face and mumbled,"You're a good person. If it were someone else, they'd have thrown a fit."Admittedly, Kathleen stillhad feelings for Samuel and didn’t want to embarrass him.However, could he ever truly understandmy good intentions?Kathleen was by no means weak, but she knew she loved Samuel a little toomuch.Emily didn't say anything more as she watched Kathleen finish her food. Afterward, shechatted a bit more with the latter and finally left. Now that she was alone, Kathleen decided it wastime to do something about her body odor.Without further ado, she walked into the bathroom andtook a warm shower.While standing under the showerhead, her hand instinctively went to herstomach.There used to be two adorable babies in here.In the past, no matter how awful she felt,Kathleen was always cheered on by the fact that her two babies were about to come into the world.Even if the future seemed bleak, they'd be the motivation she needed to take it one step at atime.All she felt now, however, was a flat stomach and utter coldness.Oh, my babies. I've beenrobbed of my babies!Getting Samuel to break Nicolette's legs would never be enough to make upfor Kathleen's pain.However, there was nothing else that she could do.With Samuel defendingNicolette, she could never really do much harm to the latter. That was why she specifically asked himto break Nicolette’s legs.To her surprise, Samuel held up his end of the bargain.In that case, therewas nothing more she could ask for.Just then, Samuel's deep voice rang out."Kate, are you inthere?"Alas, Kathleen didn't feel like entertaining him."Kate, can you say something if you're inside?”Samuel pleaded, a hint of worry in his voice.In the end, Kathleen gave in. “I'm here.”"Okay, good,”Samuel replied, sounding relieved. “I'll wait for you outside.”With that, Kathleen turned off theshower and dried herself. After putting on a bathrobe, she walked back out into the room.Uponseeing her, Samuel immediately went forward with a towel to help dry her hair.”You shouldn't betaking showers. Given your condition, it's easy to catch a cold.” It's my body. I know what's best forme,” Kathleen answered coldly.Samuel instantly furrowed his brows. “Your body's mine too."Theremark rendered Kathleen speechless, and she just let him continue wiping her hair. After a while,Samuel took out a hair dryer and quickly set it up.Sit here,” he said as he patted his leg.Kathleenhesitated. “I'll do it myself."In return, Samuel shot her a knowing look. “Are you rejecting me?""Areyou only seeing it now?” Kathleen asked indifferently.