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. “Bring it
Mrs. Macari.” Maria brought
Kathleen was taken aback.
up at three this morning to whip up some mushroom soup with Maria. It’s your favorite,
a pang of guilt. “Old Mrs. Macari, you really
really loves me.
usually bored on weekdays, anyway. I’m happy to cook you something nice. Now, be a good girl and have a
before picking up a spoon and doing
her eyes were reduced
as you
smile with an embarrassed grin
of her eye, she saw Samuel looking at her and
her attention. “Samuel had some of your soup
Kathleen looked over.
did,”
word, Kathleen turned her
own.
Samuel was struck dumb.
not as dirty as she thinks I
surprised to discover that
that a ward is being vacated this afternoon,” Diana announced. “I have already arranged for Katie
Samuel nodded and didn’t voice
at Diana thoughtfully
as she stroked Kathleen’s hair. “I’d said before that I’ll treat you like my granddaughter, which is naturally better than how
to find out that Diana didn’t intend to
on the other hand,
next door was vacated,
Maria to help Kathleen settle in, Diana turned to
didn’t deign to
not going to work with her no matter how hard you force things. The sacrifice of Katie’s parents has given me several additional
do care for her, Grandma,”
Diana hasn’t addressed Samuel like that
soon as Samuel was old enough, she addressed him by his actual
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