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.
Diana turned to Maria. “Bring it
Kathleen was taken aback.
mushroom soup with Maria. It’s
a pang of guilt. “Old Mrs. Macari, you really didn’t have to
old lady really loves
bored on weekdays, anyway. I’m happy
Kathleen nodded obediently before picking up a spoon and doing
so broadly that her eyes were reduced to slits.
long as you enjoy it,
returned the old lady’s smile with
she saw Samuel
what had caught her attention. “Samuel had some of your
Kathleen looked over.
really did,” Samuel affirmed
Kathleen turned her attention
some digging of my own. What happened with
Samuel was struck dumb.
dirty as she
was surprised to discover that Diana didn’t believe Samuel
Diana announced. “I have already
nodded and didn’t voice
thoughtfully before
as she stroked Kathleen’s hair. “I’d said before that I’ll treat you like
moved to find out that Diana didn’t intend to bring them back
on the other
next door was vacated, and Kathleen
Maria to help Kathleen settle in, Diana turned to look at Samuel. “Katie and Christopher are
didn’t deign to answer
missed your chance with Katie,” Diana lamented. “It’s not going to work with her no matter how hard you force things. The sacrifice of Katie’s parents has given me several
care for her,
Sammie.” Diana hasn’t addressed Samuel
old enough,
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