All Too Late

Kathleen led Gemma to the bedroom and asked the latter to lie on the bed.

“I’ll get you a glass of water,” Kathleen said.

Gemma grabbed her hand, stopping Kathleen from leaving the room. “I’m not thirsty, Kate.”

Since Gemma had calmed down, she felt like talking to Kathleen. “Talk with me,” Gemma continued.

“Okay.” Kathleen sat down.

Gemma slowly let go of Kathleen’s hand and stared at the ceiling. “That woman’s name is Miley Chapman. She’s the daughter of Richard’s professor, who died during an international aid. That professor saved Richard when he died, so Richard has been responsible for taking care of Miley since then.”

Kathleen asked coldly, “Did you not know about that all these years?”

“No, I didn’t know. He hid it perfectly. Besides, Miley had always been abroad and never come back.”

Kathleen nodded, encouraging Gemma to go on.

“We drank too much yesterday, so I told Richard that I wanted to break up if he didn’t want to get married.” Gemma pursed her lips. “Kate, I don’t want an intense, dramatic relationship. I just want it to be simple and last long. I want to get married, have kids, and live a peaceful life.”

Kathleen held Gemma’s hand. “Gem, I know. This is understandable. Everyone makes their own choices. You want to get married, but he doesn’t want to. You can break up with him and find another man.”

“Yes. That’s what I thought too.” Tears rolled down Gemma’s cheeks. “But Richard said that he wanted to marry me and that he loved me very much. It’s just that he wants to wait another year. I love him so much that I agreed to his request.”

Kathleen did not criticize Gemma because that was how people were when they were in love.

Everyone, including Kathleen, used to be a fool when they were in love.

Gemma took a deep breath and continued. “Richard gave me a ring, saying that it was a marriage proposal. He promised to marry me after a year. He even brought me to see our new house and gave me the key and a bank card so that I could decorate the house. Kate, I was really happy at the time.”

Kathleen replied solemnly, “Okay.”

“But…” Gemma burst into tears. “The woman named Miley appeared. She came back from abroad and found me. I was in the hospital ward then. She said that Richard loved her and that he went to see her when he went abroad all these years. She even said that she used to have his kid. I didn’t believe her. Richard showed up afterward and told her that the one he loved was me, not her. In the end, she turned and jumped out of the window. I tried to grab her but couldn’t get her in time.”

Kathleen felt angry yet helpless upon hearing her words.

Gemma cried sorrowfully as she went on, “Regardless of whether Miley will survive the fall or not, I know that I can’t be with Richard anymore.”

shoulder. “Gem, get some sleep. You should

closed

had a hard time trying to calm down, so it was difficult

drawer, Kathleen took out an incense

stick released

the scent from the burning incense stick, Gemma became

breathed a sigh of

at

she was safe, and fortunately, her head

worry about was her legs, for she might never be able

Richard swallowed hard.

lame, he would have to take care of her for the rest of her life, which

can help you if you don’t

“How?” Richard frowned.

to a place you don’t know about,”

Richard was rendered speechless.

need me. Richard, if you want to take care of her, you should be prepared to

bitterly, “I don’t want to break

a woman who can accept her man taking care of another woman? Gemma is more like a soft touch than Kathleen is, but do you really think that she can’t live without you?

Richard was stumped.

her to get back together with you once she’s made up her mind. Think about

Richard remained silent.

You can go to see her after you make the decision. If

“Okay.” Richard nodded.

turned to

of misery on

What should I do?

came out

enter the car, the voice

“Samuel.”

at Ashley with an indifferent

He’s so aloof.

walked over. “Why did