Divorce Anxiety

Kathleen entered a restaurant and ordered herself a plate of vegan pasta.

After her meal, she soon left to visit Benjamin who was admitted to the nearby hospital.

Kathleen couldn’t help her rising concern as she observed the unconscious form of Benjamin through the window of his hospital room.

“My brother’s condition has been stable since early this morning,” Gemma uttered from behind Kathleen.

Kathleen turned to face Gemma, who was dressed in her nurse’s uniform and balancing a tray between her hands.

“When will your brother be regaining consciousness?” queried Kathleen cautiously.

Gemma’s expression darkened as she replied, “The doctor says that it’s still too early to tell.”

“Why not try consulting the opinions of other specialists?”

“It’s all right, Kathleen. There’s still time,” Gemma comforted. “By the way, how was your experience volunteering?”

“It was such an eye-opener! I learned so much from it,” Kathleen enthused.

Gemma smirked. “I watched your speech just now during my break. You were pretty amazing out there.”

“By the way, why the sudden interest in individuals with autism?”

“Well, my foster brother is autistic,” said Gemma grimly.

Now that is new.

“My foster parents come from pretty wealthy backgrounds. They adopted me as I had seemed pliant and obedient. Their hopes were that I would comply with their wishes to look after their son once they were gone. Their plan was for both of us to marry by offering me their inheritance as an incentive. They then threatened to disown me if I were to refuse,” said Gemma drily.

Kathleen was stunned speechless.

“I overheard all this when I was in high school. If I were to go against them, they swore never to pay for my tuition fees and daily expenses. Gaining admission into a university would have been a lost cause.”

“That’s preposterous!”

“Consider yourself lucky, Kathleen. Truly. I’ve gone through the worst of it all, and things barely faze me these days,” advised Kathleen with a wry smile.

Kathleen gripped Gemma’s hands anxiously. “What happened after? How did you make it out?”

“Thankfully, my brother was already a policeman back then. He located me and sponsored me all the way till graduation.” Gemma smiled fondly.

of sympathy welled up within Kathleen, her eyes prickling with unshed tears over

brother will be

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed very

Macari family had always treated

“Duty calls. I will catch

you around!” Kathleen added with

Benjamin’s room,

after the hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with Federick to

Frederick! A-About yesterday…” stammered

offered a gracious smile while handing over the

perused the terms. “You’re willing to pay this

from their work. Yours

has already far exceeded my expectations.” Kathleen beamed

be able to complete your

signing the

rules stipulate that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It should be

me to treat you to lunch as a celebration of my achievement.”

still need to get some work done.” Federick

all right, Federick. Whenever you’re free. I will be taking my

“Sure. Take care.”

Goodbye!” Kathleen departed with a faint smile plastered on her

and therapeutic as basking in the spring sunlight

the publishing firm, Kathleen was consumed by

paid for the

but it was a significant milestone in

her glee from the

a present for Old Mrs. Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything she needs.

thousand in her bank account after

that, she

veritably glowing with joy as

items, Kathleen

innocence of Kathleen’s voice instantly dispelled

a “Darling!” before righting herself

Macari,” she