Chapter 258 Another Chance
Kathleen said dryly, “No rush. I’m putting on makeup at nine because I don’t have any parts in the morning.”
Samuel pursed his lips and said, “All right. You may continue sleeping then. I’m going to accompany you.”
Kathleen sat up from the bed and said, “Samuel, could you ask me before you kiss me next time?”
Samuel was rendered speechless.
She wiped her lips and said, “I have multiple ways to push you away.”
She could have used medicine to render him unconscious, but she did not wish to do that.
“You surely will not agree to it if I ask. So, I’m going to rule this out.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I’m going to hate you?” Kathleen asked angrily.
“You already loathe me. Who knows when I’m going to die? Better get some more kisses before I kick the bucket,” Samuel said with a half-smile.
It was Kathleen’s turn to be rendered speechless.
“We’ll talk after you eat.” Kathleen sighed to herself. She could not keep this up with Samuel any longer.
Noticing that her expression was grim, he asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
“You can’t continue pestering me like this,” she said sternly.
Samuel sat up as well as he leaned against the headboard. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
“Then why did you ask me about it?” Kathleen was enraged.
That man was getting on her nerves.
Samuel flashed a half-smile at her.
Kathleen pinched her glabella and muttered, “Samuel, I hope you could be more serious.”
She thought she was being really patient with him.
Samuel trained his eyes on her and uttered, “I am being very serious right now, Kate.”
She put her hand down and said, “Samuel, let me be honest with you. The previous three-year marriage has scarred me for life. I can’t just move on just because you tell me you love me. You will never understand how terrified I am every time I sit in your car late at night. I am always plagued by this fear of not knowing just when you’re going to throw me out of the car.”
Samuel was stumped.
“I am haunted by countless worries. There may no longer be Nicolette standing between us, but there is no guarantee that there won’t be another Nicolette in the future. I do not wish to relive that past. Do you understand?” she explained with furrowed brows.
Samuel was at a loss for words when he saw how tormented Kathleen was.
The things that he used to do out of his whim had left an indelible mark on Kathleen.
He felt a numbing pain in his chest right then.
Kathleen leaned against the headboard and said, “Samuel, I’m not trying to play hard to get when I reject Caleb and the others. I really can’t.”
Samuel looked intently at her.
“Let me be frank with you. I’ve tried to accept Caleb or Chris. I thought if I were to cure myself, I need to move on and open up. But I just can’t move on. I’m terrified that all men will end up like you. I’m afraid of going through another failed marriage.”
Samuel looked wistfully at her. “Katie, I am so sorry.”
Why was I such an *sshole back then?
Kathleen did not appear too startled by his apology. “Samuel, do you understand what I’m trying to tell you? I will not be together with another man because I can’t. I can’t even make myself happy. So, I do not wish to make another man unhappy by dragging him down along with me.”
Samuel kept his silence for some time before he said, “Kate, how can I make it better?”
Kathleen looked lost. “I don’t know.”
Samuel felt a searing pain inside of him.
He approached Kathleen and circled her into his embrace.
She did not struggle or push him away, for she knew that Samuel was upset too.
Samuel then realized that she felt so fragile and delicate in his arms.
He had never felt such pain.
“Kate, what should I do?” His voice was hoarse. “Tell me.”
He could not lose her.
The thought of losing her was enough to suffocate him.
Kathleen muttered under her breath, “Samuel, just give me some time.”
Samuel was stunned.
“Give me three years. If I can conquer this, and if you can show me how sincere you are, I’m willing to give you another chance. So, could you stop pushing me now?” Kathleen asked, feeling upset.
Samuel shuddered as he said hoarsely, “All right. I can promise you that.”
I’ll promise you anything.
Kathleen closed her eyes and said, “All right. You might want to eat first.”
“I’m not hungry yet.” Samuel’s voice was low. “Just continue sleeping. I’m going to call someone to send me home immediately.”
Kathleen did not ask him to stay.
Samuel let go of her and got up to put on his coat.
“I’m leaving,” he said as he caressed her cheek gently.
Kathleen was already feeling sleepy.
She continued sleeping after Samuel left.
In the end, Samuel drove himself back.
He finally understood that Kathleen was not only disappointed in marriage. She had lost hope in everything.
If she had not wanted to investigate her mother’s identity…
He shuddered to think how things might have turned out instead.
Samuel drove to the Johnson residence.
He pressed on the doorbell multiple times.
The housekeeper was roused.
Still yawning, she opened the door, only to discover that it was Samuel. “Mr. Macari?”
“Where’s Charles?” Samuel asked impassively.
“He’s sleeping in his room,” the housekeeper replied.
Right then, Charles descended from the second floor, yawning. “Samuel, what are you doing? It’s four o’clock in the morning!”
Samuel approached the man and asked coldly, “Has Kate’s depression really been cured?”
“Why are you asking this?” Charles asked with furrowed brows.
“Answer me!” Samuel demanded.
“No!” Charles responded. “It cannot be cured. So, I’ve asked someone to amend her memories.”
As expected. She is still a pessimist.
Samuel felt drained.
Charles crossed his arms across his chest and said coldly, “Samuel, if you notice that Kate’s depression relapses, I can only tell you that there is nothing we can do about it if it gets worse.”
“What do you mean?” Samuel frowned.
“What if I tell you that I asked someone to perform hypnotherapy on Kate half a year ago? The anchor is her falling in love with you. As soon as she falls in love with you, those memories will resurface, and her condition will flare up. Are you going to continue pestering her then?” Charles asked in a serious tone.
Her condition will flare up?
Samuel felt a chill down his spine. “No. I’m not going to bother her any longer.”
“You’d better remember what you said. So, stay away from her and quit bothering her. Do you really wish to see her go mad?” Charles said in a frigid tone.
Samuel’s eyes turned red.
What have I done?
“Is there really no other way?” Samuel asked in a hoarse voice.
“We’ve tried everything but to no avail. Samuel, if you really love her, you really ought to let her go. I know that Kate will not fall in love with anyone else. She has lost all hope in love. How could you expect her to love again?”
Samuel gulped. “Help me contact the psychologist.”
“What are you doing?” Charles asked with furrowed brows.
“I’m going to cure Kate.” Samuel then continued with red-rimmed eyes, “Even if she’ll marry someone else in the future, I just can’t bear to see her tormented by her condition.”
Charles’ lips pursed into a thin, hard line. “That is useless.”
“How could you say that without giving it a try?” Samuel looked at him. “Give me the contact.”
“Wait for a moment,” Charles said before turning around to retrieve the contact for Samuel.
Meanwhile, Samuel slumped against the handrail of the stairs.
I’m going to save her!
