Chapter 101: She Is Sad
If it was not for this accident, Clement might have buried it for a lifetime. He was doing all this for Victoria and Cathryn.
It was in the 90s, but in their small city, people were less open-minded. Not just Victoria would be sad, if the family knew that Cathryn was not their child, she wouldn't be treated as well either.
The couple was visiting different schools at the time. Victoria was farther from her parents' house, and when it happened, her husband was the first to arrive. He saw Cathryn at the door of the emergency room, sitting on the ground and crying helplessly. And when she looked up to see him, the fear and estranged look struck him like a knife in his heart.
He went to hold her in his arms, and Cathryn cringed and hesitated for a long while before she hugged him back. That was a hug of helplessness and fright from the 10-year-old girl like she was trying to grab a straw on a riverbank as she was drowning.
A nurse soon came to ask if he was a family member of the patient and if he could take a blood test. At the same time, Clement was told that Cathryn did not match the blood type of her grandfather.
At this time, Clement realized why Cathryn had such an expression.
He went to hold her again, telling her that she would always be their daughter, and promised that this secret would only be known to the two of them.
Mrs. Riley finally arrived, only to find her father covered with a white cloth. Next to him was her sorrowful husband, and her daughter drowned in tears. She fell down to the ground instantly and cried out.
And then the Grandma was informed, as was Stella's family and Dexter's. They came one after another, learning that Grandpa had died of murder only because Cathryn wanted a Popsicle. Grandpa had guarded Cathryn with his life and died in a cold operating bed, while Cathryn didn't even give him some blood. Stella Lee hated Cathryn for that for the next fifteen years.
Recalling this memory, Cathryn was crying so hard. She couldn't help herself but be held by Keith, her tears falling ceaselessly, her throat was hoarse, and her eyeballs were full of red.
The narrative was intermittent, with her crying, making it extremely bitter to hear. Keith just held her tight from start to finish and softly comforted her.
They were immersed in their own world and did not realize that a faint figure heard this memory.
When she was exhausted by the cry, he changed to a more comfortable posture to hug her, his cheek on hers, close and gentle.
"Did you hate the boy in that car?"
"No."
His hands tightened.
Cathryn cried for half of the night and slept in the other half, so Keith hugged her all night. The next day, she woke up feeling her body sore and distorted, Cathryn opened her swollen eyes and looked up and saw him again.
The young gentleman had visually aged over the night, and black stubbles appeared on his chin. But the gentleness in his blue eyes was intact. It hit her like some sea that never stormed, a sea that was always quiet and peaceful.
Her eyes were too sore. After blinking, tears flowed out again. It was the tear of both sadness and gratitude.
Lifting his big hand, Keith gently wiped the tears on her face and whispered softly.
"Eat something now before sending her away."
After the burial, Keith and Clement helped to deal with the rest of the funeral work. Cathryn had to go back for the maternity check-up, she didn't stay home either and went back to Flower Island with Keith.
She fell into a whirlpool of sadness after the check and lost all her interest, even her appetite was greatly reduced too. She kept herself in the study all day, either reading or watching movies.
To prevent her from getting too sad at home, Keith tried to stay with her all the time. However, there was too much work to do in the company too. When Jeremy couldn't deal with it all by himself anymore, he came to the island to pull his buddy back.
Seeing his partner's distressed face, he rolled his eyes. On their way to the company, Jeremy glanced at Keith again and sighed. "You can't solve anything with her there, you know. She is sad. You are just sucking behind her ass every day, wouldn't that just make her sadder?"
As a matter of fact, Keith's understanding of women was limited only to Ada Clinton. Compared with the very sophisticated Jeremy Fox, he was almost a virgin.
Closing the documents folder, Keith looked up at Jeremy quietly.
"Give me a way, I will work as much as you want today."
Keith's work efficiency was very high. Willing to work overtime means Jeremy could take a day off tomorrow. Jeremy seemed very pleased with his friend's pledge. After rolling his eyes and making some faces, he sputtered a "Deal."
On this day, Keith did not stay at home, and it was very late when he returned. During the day, there was the occasional sound of John and the servants walking the stairs, and she felt okay. But as soon as the lights were turned on, seeing her lone shadow on the ground, Cathryn felt the solitude and sorrow coming together, invading her thoughts and occupying all her being.
He only came back after 10 pm. The lights upstairs were on and scattered upon the stairs, projecting the shadow of the stairs. Silent in the darkness, Keith slowly walked out. She turned back as soon as she heard the footsteps. And when she saw it was Keith, her dim eyes of the day finally flashed a glimmer of light.
Putting away his briefcase, he approached Cathryn, reaching out and caressing her hair. "How have you not slept yet?"
Her soul that floated for half a day returned to her body, and she felt warmth from his touch. She forced a smile, "I couldn't sleep."
A big part of her insomnia came from the sadness of her Grandma's death, and the other part came from her pregnancy. Ever since she came back, she had never slept properly these days. She slept late at night, especially tonight.