Samuel knew how painful it was to miss somebody.
It turns out that even thinking of someone hurts all over.
His stomach twisted. It was the kind of pain that would spread to every limb before having them smashed by boulders.
Despite the pain, he found that he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Kathleen fell silent.
Samuel’s gaze deepened. “Say something.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” she bluntly said as she lay down. “I’m going to take a nap. Please carry on with your work.”
Samuel studied Kathleen thoughtfully, trying to decide if she would be heartbroken or disgusted if he told her he had missed her.
Judging by her expression, probably the latter.
Meanwhile, Kathleen felt awful.
Samuel hasn’t changed. Why would he tell me this after a year? Does he think that I’m foolish enough to change my mind just because he said that? I’m no longer that girl who loved him wholeheartedly in the stupidity of my youth. Not anymore. Why didn’t he treasure me when I did? Leaving him was the right choice.
Samuel looked sideways at Kathleen, who had her back to him. She seemed to be asleep.
He didn’t bother her further. Instead, he turned off the light.
The night suddenly became unbearably long.
Kathleen woke up the following day in a daze.
“Good morning, Katie,” said Diana with a kind voice.
Kathleen was surprised. “Old Mrs. Macari?”
Diana sat on the chair between the two beds as she reached out to stroke Kathleen’s head. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am,” Kathleen murmured demurely, like a small furry animal being caressed.
you something delicious.” Diana turned to Maria.
Macari.” Maria brought a hearty breakfast in her
Kathleen was taken aback.
up at three this morning to whip up some mushroom soup with Maria. It’s your favorite, isn’t
“Old Mrs. Macari, you really didn’t
lady really loves
on weekdays, anyway. I’m happy to cook you something nice. Now,
Mrs. Macari.” Kathleen nodded obediently before picking up
fresh!” She smiled so broadly that her eyes were reduced to
long as you enjoy it,
the old lady’s smile with an embarrassed grin of her
of the corner of her eye, she saw Samuel looking at her and pursed her lips at
had caught her attention. “Samuel had some of your soup before
Kathleen looked over.
really did,” Samuel affirmed
turned her
gazed at her grandson. “I did some digging of my own. What happened with the ward
Samuel was struck dumb.
not as dirty as she thinks
that
ward is being vacated this afternoon,” Diana announced. “I have already arranged for Katie to move
Samuel nodded and didn’t voice
thoughtfully before
Diana crooned as she stroked Kathleen’s hair. “I’d said before that I’ll treat you like my granddaughter, which
out that Diana
other hand, remained
the ward next door was vacated,
in, Diana turned to look at Samuel. “Katie
didn’t deign
with her no matter how hard you force things. The sacrifice of Katie’s parents has given me several additional decades of life. Moving
care for her, Grandma,”
hasn’t addressed Samuel like that
Samuel was old enough, she addressed him by his actual
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