chapter 43


    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 bncing 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,” Gemmaforted. “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 parentse from pretty wealthy backgrounds. They adopted me as I had seemed pliant


    and obedient. Their hopes were that I wouldply with their wishes to look after their son once


    they were gone. Their n 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.


    Feelings of sympathy welled up within Kathleen, her eyes prickling with unshed tears over


    Gemma’s predicament.


    “Don’t worry, Kathleen. My brother will be fine,” Gemma reassured.


    Kathleen pursed her lips.


    Gemma was right.


    She was indeed very fortunate.


    The Macari family had always treated her with respect and kindness.


    Gemma excused herself after noticing the time. “Duty calls. I will catch youter, Kathleen.”


    “See you around!” Kathleen added with a nod.


    With a final parting nce at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen departed from the hospital.


    One day after the hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize the terms of their


    contract.


    “I’m so sorry, Frederick! A-About yesterday…” stammered Kathleen.


    “Don’t fret about it. Ipletely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious smile while handing over


    the contract.


    Kathleen’s eyes widened as she perused the terms. “You’re willing to pay this much for my script?”


    “Of course! You still haven’t seen how much maestros earn from their work. Yours is good enough


    for a greenhorn starting out, though.”


    “One hundred and fifty thousand has already far exceeded my expectations.” Kathleen beamed with


    satisfaction.


    “Would you be able toplete your work within three months?”


    Kathleen nodded enthusiastically while signing the contract. “I promise.”


    “Our rules stipte that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It should be reflected in


    your bank ount shortly,” exined Federick.


    “Allow me to treat you to lunch as a celebration of my achievement.” Kathleen twinkled.


    “I am afraid we’d have to rain check. I still need to get some work done.” Federick chuckled


    apologetically.


    “It’s all right, Federick. Whenever you’re free. I will be taking my leave then.”


    “Sure. Take care.”


    “You too. Goodbye!” Kathleen departed with a faint smile stered on her lips.


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


    sunlight after a harsh winter.


    Upon leaving the publishing firm, Kathleen was consumed by the thought of the advance money.


    She was getting paid for the first time in her life.


    It wasn’t much, but it was a significant milestone in her life worthmemorating.


    She could barely suppress her glee from the mere thought.


    That’s right, I can choose a present for Old Mrs. Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything she


    needs. Even so, a present won’t hurt. It’s merely a means of expressing care and appreciation.


    Kathleen soon received slightly less than fifty thousand in her bank ount after tax reductions.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Despite that, she was ted.


    She was veritably glowing with joy as she entered the department store.


    After selecting several items, Kathleen decided to call Maria.


    The sharine innocence of Kathleen’s voice instantly dispelled any lingering negativity. “Maria…”


    Maria almost let slip a “Darling!” before righting herself swiftly.


    “Mrs. Macari,” she answered warmly.


    “Could you inform Grandma that I’d be dropping by for dinnerter tonight?”


    “Of course, dear. Old Mrs. Macari would be pleased to hear of it. I’ll be sure to have your favorite


    dishes prepared.” It was no secret that Kathleen was a favorite of Maria.


    It was probably only Samuel who could resist Kathleen’s infectious charm.


    “I absolutely can’t wait!” chirped Kathleen before hanging up.


    Kathleen deemed it unnecessary to dampen the mood of others with the argument brewing


    between her and Samuel.


    Suddenly recalling that she had almost forgotten to purchase gifts for Calvin and Wynnie, Kathleen


    turned on her heels and backtracked toward the department store once more.


    Regardless of the fact that there was only twenty thousand left of her advance, Kathleen had not an


    ounce of regret as she hailed a taxi and headed toward the Macari residence with her hands full.


    All members of the Macari family were present as Kathleen entered the house.


    Embarrassingly enough, even Samuel.


    Kathleen conjured up her winning smile as she addressed the elders seated before her. “Grandma,


    Dad, Mom.”


    Diana was delighted to see her.


    Kathleen’s honeyed smile caught the hearts of Diana as well as Wynnie and Calvin.


    Samuel was the only one who went by unacknowledged, much to his displeasure.


    Nheless, Samuel did feel that the entire room seemed to brighten up with her brilliant smile.


    “You seem to be in high spirits, dear girl. Do share with us why,” crooned Diana affectionately.


    Kathleen brought forth her gifts. “Oh, it’s nothing major. I’ve just brought all of you presents with the


    money I earned from my advance. I got you a pair of reading sses since yours seemed a bit


    dated, Grandma.”


    Diana was pleasantly surprised and asked, “You bought this with your money?”


    “That is right,” Kathleen preened. “Here is a Montnc pen for you, Dad. I remembered yours


    recently broke. I hope this arrived just in time.”


    “Thank you.” Calvin was moved by Kathleen’s dedication. It felt as if he had a daughter that had


    finally grown up.


    “Last but not least, here is your silk scarf, Mom. I hope you like it.”


    Wynnie was a huge fan and fervent collector of scarfs belonging to this particr brand.


    This design that Kathleen managed to snag was a new release of the season.


    Wynnie was overjoyed. “I’d surely love it as long as it is from you.”


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