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

brother will be

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

indeed very

Macari family had always treated her with respect

time. “Duty

you around!” Kathleen added with a

final parting glance at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen departed from the

Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize the terms of their

Frederick! A-About yesterday…”

about it. I completely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious smile while handing over the

as she perused the terms. “You’re willing

maestros earn from their work. Yours is good enough for a

thousand has already far

you be able to complete

signing the contract.

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

you to lunch as a

am afraid we’d have to rain check. I still need

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

“Sure. Take care.”

with a faint smile plastered on her

Kathleen’s smile was indeed as warm and therapeutic as basking in the spring

Kathleen was consumed by the thought of the advance

the first time

but it was a significant milestone in

her glee

Old Mrs. Macari has everything she needs. Even so, a present won’t hurt. It’s merely a means of

soon received slightly less than fifty thousand in her bank account after tax

she was

joy as she entered the

selecting several items, Kathleen decided

innocence of Kathleen’s voice

a “Darling!”

Macari,” she answered