Reluctance
Kathleen brought Caleb to the Yoeger residence to visit Frances.
Frances was elated, as she felt that Caleb was a decent guy who was a good match for Kathleen.
No matter whom Kathleen chose, Frances would be glad for her.
“Granny, I’m sorry. I’d been so busy that I didn’t even have time to pay you a visit,” Caleb explained.
“It’s all right.” Frances was all smiles. “It’s not your fault. Kate was too busy.”
“It’s good that Kate has a career she loves.” Caleb’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Frances beamed with joy. “I’m glad that you understand her. Come in and have a seat.”
With that, they went to the living room and sat on the couch.
“Caleb, how’s the preparation for your wedding?” Frances asked smilingly.
“Almost done. Granny, all you need to do is attend the wedding ceremony.” Caleb chuckled.
The old lady nodded. “I know Kate didn’t have time to make wedding preparations with you. Please
bear with her.”
“Granny, I don’t mind it at all. I’m so happy to have her.” Caleb was truly contented.
It didn’t matter even if their wedding were fake.
“Kate is truly blessed.” Frances grinned.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
When the housekeeper went to get the door, she exclaimed in shock, “Old Mrs. Macari? Mrs. Macari?”
Kathleen was startled too.
Why are Old Mrs. Macari and Wynnie here?
She quickly stood up to welcome them into the house.
Upon seeing them, Kathleen felt a tad guilty when she saw Diana. “Old Mrs. Macari.”
Samuel had said that Diana wanted to meet her, but she didn’t go.
Diana wore a smile as she looked at Kathleen and walked over to her. “Why won’t you look me in the
eye?”
“Old Mrs. Macari, I’m sorry. I…” Kathleen muttered awkwardly.
Diana took her hand in hers, saying, “You don’t need to explain anything. I understand your decision.”
Kathleen pursed her lips in silence.
Wynnie smiled as well. “Kate, congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Macari,” Kathleen replied politely.
When Frances and Caleb came over to the door, the former greeted, “Hello, Diana.”
Diana parted her lips and spoke. “I know Kate is going to have her wedding today, so I came over. It’s
not suitable for our family to join the ceremony. That’s why I came here.”
It was true that Kathleen did not invite the Macari family to the wedding.
Frances nodded in response.
“Fran, I have something to tell Kate in private. Do you mind?” Diana inquired in an amicable manner.
“If Kate thinks that it’s okay, then I’m fine with it,” Frances replied.
Diana smiled, tugging at Kathleen’s hand. “Let’s go to your room.”
Kathleen nodded in response and brought Diana upstairs.
When they reached her room, Kathleen invited the elder to sit down.
Diana held her hand. “Kate, tell me the truth. Why do you want to get married to Caleb?”
“Old Mrs. Macari, I like him,” Kathleen answered.
“Why the rush then?” Diana questioned solemnly, “Kate, tell me. Is it because you’re sick of Samuel
pestering you? Is that why you use this way to get rid of him?”
Kathleen shook her head lightly, not saying a word.
“Kate, I’m not against you marrying Caleb.” Diana paused before continuing somberly, “But if you marry
Caleb rashly because of Samuel, then you’ll face problems in your marriage with Caleb in the future. I’d
feel terribly guilty.”
Kathleen stated calmly, “No, Old Mrs. Macari. I’m marrying Caleb for other reasons.”
Diana looked at her in silence, waiting for her to continue.
“I just want to forget the past.” Kathleen pressed her lips into a thin line. “It’s complicated between
Samuel and me, but I don’t want to dwell on it anymore. I want to have a fresh start.”
Diana sighed. “I know. Samuel’s forever indebted to you. It’s his fault.”
Kathleen’s eyes reddened. “Old Mrs. Macari, I’m sorry. I know you’ve always wanted me to reconcile
with Samuel.”
Diana patted her hand. “Silly girl, I do hope you give Samuel a chance, but I don’t want you to force
yourself. Make yourself a priority in life.”
Pursing her lips, Kathleen lowered her head as her eyes reddened.
Diana fished out a box from her bag. “This is for you.”
Kathleen recognized the box. “Old Mrs. Macari, that’s the heirloom of the Macari family. I can’t take
that.”
“It’s an heirloom, so it needs to be passed down.” Diana took out the emerald bracelet and put it on
Kathleen. “You’re not the wife of my grandson, but I’ve always treated you like my granddaughter. I can
pass it to you because you’re a member of the family.”
Kathleen’s eyes were red with tears.
She hugged Diana and called out, “Old Mrs. Macari.”
Diana wanted to burst out in tears too. “Kate, I can’t bear to see you go. You’re such a good girl.
Samuel isn’t fortunate enough to have you.”
Kathleen sniffled. “Old Mrs. Macari.”
Tears streamed down Diana’s face. “Ever since I took you in, I’ve never once thought you’re an
outsider. I want you to grow up and find yourself a good man, but when I noticed you liked Samuel, I
made the worst decision in my entire life. I thought I was helping you; I didn’t expect that it’d harm you.”
When Kathleen heard those heartfelt words, her urge to cry intensified. “Old Mrs. Macari, I remember
everything you’ve done for me. Not just you, Mr. and Mrs. Macari also dote on me.”
They all treated me as if I were a part of their family. That’s why I can’t ignore Samuel. But I know I
can’t drag it on anymore. I have to save my brother.
The two hugged one another, weeping.
Diana was truly reluctant to let her go.
Knowing Diana’s health condition, Kathleen consoled, “Old Mrs. Macari, don’t cry. Your body might not
be able to take it.”
Diana grabbed her hand tight. “Okay. I won’t cry. Remember, Kate. No matter what happens in the
future, you’ll always be a part of the Macari family. You’re my granddaughter. Don’t forget that.”
“Mm.” Kathleen nodded.
As Diana caressed her face, tears rolled down her face again.
Diana did not have a daughter, so when she saw that Kathleen was about to get married, she felt very
emotional and sorrowful.
After Kathleen comforted Diana for a while, the latter finally stopped crying.
They then went downstairs together and heard Frances and the others talking about the wedding.
Wynnie was open-minded; she knew it was all her son’s fault for hurting the woman he loved.
As she was fond of Kathleen, she didn’t mind whom Kathleen married.
“You’re done talking with each other?” Frances turned toward Diana and Kathleen.
Kathleen nodded.
“We’ll take our leave now.” Diana was ready to go.
“Kate, see them off,” Frances suggested.
Kathleen nodded again. “Okay.”
She then sent Diana and Wynnie to the car outside.
Holding Kathleen’s hand, Wynnie stroked her hair dotingly. “Kate, my son is not lucky enough. You’ll
get married tomorrow, so put on a big smile. Even though we can’t attend tomorrow, we wish you the
best.”
“Mrs. Macari, thank you.” Kathleen’s eyes began to water again.
Wynnie embraced Kathleen for a while before getting into the car.
As Kathleen watched them depart, Diana covered her face in the car and started to shed tears.
Wynnie couldn’t help but weep too.
Kathleen was just like a daughter to her.
Now that she was a bride-to-be, they could not even attend her wedding.
They were simply heartbroken.
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