All Too Late

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 balancing 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,” Gemma comforted. “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 parents come from pretty wealthy backgrounds. They adopted me as I had seemed pliant and obedient. Their hopes were that I would comply with their wishes to look after their son once they were gone. Their plan 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.

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

My brother

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed very

always treated her

the time. “Duty calls. I will

you around!” Kathleen added with

glance at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen departed

up with Federick to finalize the terms

so sorry, Frederick!

I completely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious smile while handing

she perused the terms. “You’re willing to pay

seen how much maestros earn from their

and fifty thousand has already far exceeded my expectations.” Kathleen

to complete your work within three

enthusiastically while signing the contract. “I

rules stipulate that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It

lunch as a celebration of my

check. I still need

you’re free. I will

“Sure. Take care.”

departed with a faint

as warm and therapeutic as basking

consumed by the

for the

was a significant milestone

barely suppress her glee from the mere

can choose a present for Old Mrs. Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything

slightly less than fifty thousand

that, she was

veritably glowing with joy as

items, Kathleen decided

saccharine innocence of Kathleen’s voice instantly dispelled any lingering negativity.

slip a “Darling!” before righting

Macari,” she

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