Chapter 223 I Will Not Do It Again
“Don’t worry about the medication,” Kathleen said.
“Do you think I’m worried about that?” countered Samuel coolly.
Kathleen looked as if she didn’t quite understand what he was talking about.
“I just don’t want you to sacrifice anything for the sake of obtaining the medication.” Samuel’s lips were set in a hard line.
Surprised, she replied, “Didn’t you understand what I said earlier? I already stated that I don’t intend to sacrifice myself for the medication.”
Does he think I’m stupid?
“Kate, I know you don’t love me anymore, but you did say that you understand me. Likewise, do you think I don’t understand you as well?” said Samuel coldly as he looked at her.
Kathleen pursed her lips as she took in his words.
He continued in his low rasp, “You’re simply too kind. You may not do it for me, but I’m sure the depths of your kindness wouldn’t allow you to leave things as they are. That’s especially because you’ve already started handling the matter. I know that once you’ve started something, you’ll see it through to the end. That’s just how much of a sense of responsibility you have.”
Kathleen didn’t reply. Instead, she was overwhelmed with surprise at how well Samuel understood her. She now realized that although he might not understand some of her day-to-day habits, he had fully grasped her character and personality.
On the flip side, she wasn’t too familiar with Samuel.
At that, she stated flatly, “Trust me, Samuel. I won’t be that stupid.”
His dark eyes stared intently into hers, but he didn’t move a single muscle, not even to reply.
Finally, Kathleen broke the silence and said, “It’s almost time. Both of us have been in the bathroom for some time now. It’s easy for others to misunderstand us.”
“I’m not afraid,” remarked Samuel nonchalantly.
“Well, I am!” exclaimed Kathleen with derision. “I’m a full-fledged divorcee now. I don’t want to be associated with and be tangled up in my ex-husband’s affairs any longer.”
Samuel was utterly speechless. He silently followed behind her as she exited the bathroom.
Kathleen checked in with Maria and learned that Diana had already gone to sleep.
Maria said, “Old Mrs. Macari has been going to bed earlier these days.”
Kathleen understood instantly and said, “I just checked on Old Mrs. Macari’s condition. She doesn’t have any issues, but you do have to make sure to pay special attention to her.”
Maria understood and replied, “Yes, Ms. Johnson. Don’t worry.”
“Since she’s gone to bed, I won’t bother her any further. I’ll be leaving now, Maria,” announced Kathleen.
A faint smile emerged on Maria’s face as she replied, “All right. Old Mrs. Macari seemed quite happy tonight. It could be because you’re here, Ms. Johnson. With you around, things here have gotten much warmer and more comfortable. It’s no longer as cold and dreary as it used to be.”
Kathleen was stunned for a moment, but she finally promised, “I’ll come over again in a few days.”
“That would be great! I’m sure Old Mrs. Macari would love that,” exclaimed Maria with a smile.
As he took in their exchange, Samuel flashed a look of satisfaction at Maria.
“I’ll be heading off first, then, Maria,” Kathleen said as she put on her outerwear and left.
“Be careful on your way out,” Maria reminded worriedly.
“I’ll be leaving too, Maria,” said Samuel as he donned his down jacket and chased after Kathleen.
Maria gazed at the pair as they departed. She couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.
If Kathleen decides to give birth to the child, this household is bound to become even more lively. Now that she isn’t coming over as frequently as she used to, it’s almost back to its former dreary state.
Kathleen and Samuel headed back to the Johnson residence.
The second they entered, Charles stuffed two bags of items into Samuel’s arms and exclaimed, “These are your belongings. Take them and get lost!”
Samuel didn’t know how to respond.
He merely received the items silently.
“You’re not allowed to come over again,” declared Charles with contempt in his voice.
“I only listen to what Kate says,” stated Samuel with a faint smile.
Charles was speechless.
Kathleen didn’t know how to respond, either. “Charles…”
“In any case, we don’t welcome you here!” exclaimed Charles with his usual righteous self.
Samuel couldn’t help but smile once more as he turned to Kathleen and said, “I’ll head back first. I’m still next to you. Shout for me if you need me.”
Kathleen merely watched as he turned to leave.
Charles slammed the door shut and furiously stated, “You should do something about Samuel! He’s been badgering you for so long now.”
“Violence doesn’t solve problems…”
“So what? I’ll be so angry if I don’t teach him a lesson,” Charles huffed.
Kathleen grew even more frustrated by his response. “If you put him in a state where he can’t make a full recovery for the rest of his life, then I’ll have no choice but to stick with him for the rest of mine. If he somehow died because of something you did, I wouldn’t dare to get married ever again.”
Charles didn’t know how to respond to her sudden proclamation.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head to my room first,” Kathleen said casually.
Charles knew that whatever he did to Samuel would ultimately be reflected back on Kathleen at the end of the day. As such, he recognized that the only way for Kathleen to be free of Samuel would be for the latter to heal quickly and exit their lives.
This was because he knew that Kathleen was simply too kind and too responsible a person. If it weren’t for that, she would have every reason to ignore Samuel.
That said, she was likely treating Samuel this way only because of the Macari family. As they had always treated her affectionately, she probably couldn’t allow herself to stand coldly by the side and watch Samuel suffer.
I have to admit… The Macari family is certainly the best at deploying this move!
Following her exchange with Charles, Kathleen finally returned to her room to seek some well-deserved rest.
She was a little tired. After all, she had spent quite some time chatting with Diana that very same night. From their interaction, she was finally able to grasp just how difficult Frances’ situation was.
It was clear that her mother was right under Frances’ nose, but the latter didn’t even notice. She surmised that this meant someone had refrained from reporting this to her. Otherwise, there was no other way to explain why Frances had yet to find her mother by this point in time.
I heard that the Yoeger family had spared no expense for the sake of finding their lost daughter, both in terms of manpower and material wealth. Even so, they’ve somehow still failed in their attempt. There’s no way I’ll believe that someone didn’t manipulate the search reports.
The more Kathleen thought about it, the more confused she got. Eventually, she ended up falling asleep.
Elsewhere, Samuel stepped out onto the balcony and looked across from him with his dark eyes. He saw that the room opposite him still had its lights on, but he couldn’t pick up Kathleen’s silhouette through the drawn curtains.
Did she just lie down and fall asleep straight away? Indeed, she does not have the faintest clue about how to look after herself.
Samuel pulled out a cigarette and his lighter. He proceeded to light the cigarette up and puffed on it deeply.
Is it really impossible for things between Kathleen and me to return to how they used to be?
This was the one question that he had been asking himself again and again.
He knew that Kathleen was a softhearted person and would definitely express concern for him if she saw him in this state. However, that didn’t mean that she still had feelings for him.
In addition, there was also the matter with Diana to consider. She treated Kathleen as if the latter were her very own granddaughter.
Back then, when Kathleen was still living in the Macari residence, she would receive the same treatment that everyone else got. Not only did she get a chance to eat and experience the best that Jadeborough had to offer, but she also got more of it than the rest.
She had always been the kind of person to be appreciative of those who had helped her along her way. As such, even if the Macari family had owed her something or done her wrong, she had never sought to ask them for anything in return.
As these realizations crossed Samuel’s mind, his hand started to tremble involuntarily.
He recognized that Kathleen had truly never asked anything of him or the Macari family. Nothing at all.
In the past, she had wholeheartedly devoted herself and her heart to him. However, he had failed to cherish her and instead had cruelly trampled on her heart.
At this, Samuel suddenly burst into a coughing fit.
He raised his palm to his lips and felt a strange warmth upon his skin. He was sure that he had started vomiting blood again.
Suddenly, the door to the balcony across from him opened, and Kathleen stumbled out in a daze. She looked up across at him, and her eyes widened in shock as she exclaimed, “Why are you smoking?”
He immediately put the cigarette out and threw it away.
“Samuel!” yelled Kathleen as she walked up to the railing of her balcony, glaring at him. “If you keep this up, I won’t care about you anymore. I mean it!”
“I won’t do it again,” Samuel promised in a panic.
He did not expect that his slight cough would wake her from her slumber.
“Get back in immediately! You’re sick right now. You can’t afford to get cold,” Kathleen admonished sternly.
Samuel grunted in acknowledgment. He was about to turn around when he suddenly stopped. “Kate, you promised me you would buy me clothes.”
