Day Seventy-Seven…
Badum! Badum! Badum!
Kathleen's heart was running wild against her chest, her face blushing. She didn't expect that Stephen would suddenly hug her.
'Why? Why is he hugging me?' Her eyes filled with hope, thinking she had a chance to get noticed by Stephen. If he was heartbroken, then she might be able to fill the emptiness in his heart.
"Steph? Are you okay?" Kathleen finally found her voice.
"Kath… I'm sorry," Stephen apologized to her out of the blue.
She was puzzled as to why Stephen was apologizing to her. "For what?"
"For not reciprocating your feelings. I know how it feels to have an unrequited love. You can stop now… Kath. You deserve to have someone who will love you back."
Kathleen found herself rendered speechless, her thoughts spiraling in a whirlwind of confusion. She hadn't anticipated this. How did Stephen uncover her emotions? She had never confessed her feelings for him. Was it too obvious, or had Aiden's loose lips inadvertently laid bare her secret affections for Stephen?
'I'm gonna beat my stupid cousin!' Kathleen complained inwardly.
"How? How did you find out?" She mustered her courage up to raise this question.
Stephen broke the hug and fixed his gaze on her. "I've known all along, but I tried my best to ignore it. I didn't want you to get hurt."
"Is there truly nothing you feel for me? Won't you consider giving us a chance?" She swallowed her pride as she asked him directly. She wanted to hear it from Stephen.
Stephen reached out, his hand touching her face. "I can't… there is one woman occupying my heart. I can't give you false hope, Kath. And I won't ask you to wait for me."
Kathleen's hope was shattered instantly by Stephen's words. But she could understand that Stephen was just being honest with her. She couldn't blame him.
"Okay. Enough already. My fragile heart might not be able to handle your next words. Come. I'll send you home." Kathleen wanted to end this conversation, assisting Stephen to stand up.
Stephen sobered up a little as they reached his clinic. He asked her to drop him off there instead of taking him home.
"Don't tell me you are still going to work?" Kathleen asked him as he alighted from her car.
"My clinic is my silent sanctuary. I want to spend a few hours here before going home." There was a faint smile on Stephen's face as he said those words.
Stephen was about to enter his clinic when Kathleen stopped him. She had to admit that she was hurt after knowing Stephen's feelings.
"Steph… thank you for being honest with me. I'll do my best to move on," Kathleen softly mumbled. Then she moved closer to him, hugging Stephen tightly. She just needed to feel his embrace before parting ways with him.
Stephen didn't push her away. He even wrapped his arms around her body, trying to comfort her. He just felt sorry for her since he couldn't reciprocate her feelings. Just like Jane, he couldn't teach his heart to love someone else.
Meanwhile, someone was watching the two from a distance. Jack had been following Kathleen in secret, waiting for the opportunity to approach her and say goodbye. He was flying to Country J today. Before leaving, Jack wanted to see her. But who would have thought that he would see her hugging another man?
'Is that the man she likes?' Jack mused to himself, clenching his fists. He felt like he was betrayed by her.
'I am so foolish to believe that she will give me a chance. In the end, she will still choose him… the man she likes.' He smiled bitterly at that realization.
After witnessing that scene, Jack changed his mind. With a heavy heart, he turned around to leave. He decided not to show up in front of Kathleen, thus he missed the chance to say goodbye to her.
*****
[ At Country J: Sawada Clan Headquarters… ]
Meanwhile, Jane, Mr. Hiroshi, Hanabi, and Kazuki arrived at Sawada Clan Main Headquarters. They were welcomed by five branch leaders. The other branch leaders were busy in the preparation of the banquet. It would be held in the headquarters of the third branch leader.
Mr. Hiroshi proudly introduced Jane to their seven branch leaders. "This is my daughter, Jane… she's a legendary assassin known as Phantomflake."
The five branch leaders were amazed when they heard that. Phantomflake's name rang a bell. They were aware of her reputation. "Lady Jane, we are so happy to finally meet you! We've been searching for you." The eldest among the branch leaders spoke up first, greeting Jane.
"Thank you, Elder Jin. I'm so glad to be back here," Jane responded politely. Her father told her that during her childhood days, he often brought her to the main headquarters without her mother's knowledge. Elder Jin was one of her babysitters before.
"The other members are so excited to meet you in person. I'm Madam Akane," The second branch butted in. She was a middle-aged woman. No one would think that this fifty-year-old woman was a branch leader of Sawada Clan. "You have a strong resemblance with your mother." Madam Akane added. She was very close to Jane's mother when she was still alive.
The branch leaders were very enthusiastic as they conversed with Jane. The young girl who had gone missing before had become a full-grown beautiful woman. They were all intrigued by Jane's presence. She had this strong and charismatic aura that drew them to her.
Amidst the lively conversation, Jane's phone suddenly vibrated. When she checked her phone, her eyes sparkled in delight. She just received a message coming from Nathan.
Nathan: [ Have you arrived at Country J safely? ]
Jane smiled upon reading his message. 'I miss him already. Sigh.'
Jane: [ Yes. What are you doing? ]
Her attention was shifted to her phone or rather to the guy whom she missed.
Nathan: [ Working. Can you update me on your location every now and then? ]
Nathan would like to surprise Jane. He didn't mention that he was at Country J's airport right now. Jane: [ Sure. I will. But I will be busy tonight because of the banquet. Sigh… I wish you were here. ]
Nathan's lips curled up at her last message. 'Your wish is granted. I'll come to see you later.'
His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
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