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.

welled up within Kathleen, her eyes

worry, Kathleen. My brother will

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed

always treated her with

time. “Duty calls. I

around!” Kathleen added with

final parting glance at Benjamin’s room,

hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with

Frederick!

offered a

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

earn from their work. Yours

hundred and fifty thousand has already far exceeded my expectations.” Kathleen

complete your work within three

nodded enthusiastically while signing

be first transferred to you. It should be reflected in your bank

to treat you to lunch as a

rain check. I still need to get some work done.” Federick

you’re free. I will

“Sure. Take care.”

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

smile was indeed as warm and therapeutic as basking in

Kathleen was consumed by the thought of the

getting paid for the first time

much, but it was a significant

barely suppress her glee

can choose a present for Old Mrs. Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything she needs. Even so, a present won’t

thousand in her bank account after tax

that, she

glowing with joy

selecting several items, Kathleen decided

of Kathleen’s voice

let slip a “Darling!” before

she answered