Samuel knew how painful it was to miss somebody.
It turns out that even thinking of someone hurts all over.
His stomach twisted. It was the kind of pain that would spread to every limb before having them smashed by boulders.
Despite the pain, he found that he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Kathleen fell silent.
Samuel’s gaze deepened. “Say something.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” she bluntly said as she lay down. “I’m going to take a nap. Please carry on with your work.”
Samuel studied Kathleen thoughtfully, trying to decide if she would be heartbroken or disgusted if he told her he had missed her.
Judging by her expression, probably the latter.
Meanwhile, Kathleen felt awful.
Samuel hasn’t changed. Why would he tell me this after a year? Does he think that I’m foolish enough to change my mind just because he said that? I’m no longer that girl who loved him wholeheartedly in the stupidity of my youth. Not anymore. Why didn’t he treasure me when I did? Leaving him was the right choice.
Samuel looked sideways at Kathleen, who had her back to him. She seemed to be asleep.
He didn’t bother her further. Instead, he turned off the light.
The night suddenly became unbearably long.
Kathleen woke up the following day in a daze.
“Good morning, Katie,” said Diana with a kind voice.
Kathleen was surprised. “Old Mrs. Macari?”
Diana sat on the chair between the two beds as she reached out to stroke Kathleen’s head. “Are you feeling better?”
“I am,” Kathleen murmured demurely, like a small furry animal being caressed.
“I brought you something delicious.” Diana turned to Maria. “Bring it over.”
“Yes, Old Mrs. Macari.” Maria brought a hearty breakfast in her arms.
Kathleen was taken aback.
“I got up at three this morning to whip up some mushroom soup with Maria. It’s your favorite, isn’t it?” Diana smiled kindly.
Kathleen felt a pang of guilt. “Old Mrs. Macari, you really didn’t have to go through all that trouble.”
The lovely old lady really loves me. I can feel it.
Diana beamed. “It’s not a big deal, dear. I’m usually bored on weekdays, anyway. I’m happy to cook you something nice. Now, be a good girl and have a taste.”
“Yes, Old Mrs. Macari.” Kathleen nodded obediently before picking up a spoon and doing as instructed.
“It’s so fresh!” She smiled so broadly that her eyes were reduced to slits. A warm, fuzzy feeling erupted in her heart.
“As long as you enjoy it, Katie.”
Kathleen returned the old lady’s smile with an embarrassed grin of her own.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Samuel looking at her and pursed her lips at once.
Diana noticed what had caught her attention. “Samuel had some of your soup before you woke up.”
Kathleen looked over.
“I really did,” Samuel affirmed gently.
Without a word, Kathleen turned her attention back to her meal.
Diana gazed at her grandson. “I did some digging of my own. What happened with the ward this time really wasn’t your fault.”
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