Chapter 22
“Yeah,” Shawn replied subconsciously.
“You looked really cool when you rescued me,” Kathleen commented, but he remained silent.
“Shawn,” she called again.
“What is it now?” he asked impatiently.
“Good things come to those who do good,” came her soft response.
Shawn tightened his grip slightly on the steering wheel.
The day before Christmas Eve, Judy called and asked them to return to the Vance residence.
Kathleen frowned at the thought of sleeping on the floor again.
1/2
Colin picked them up and drove them to the Vance residence.
When they arrived, Judy welcomed them warmly. Then, a little later, she quietly asked Kathleen, “Any good news yet?”
“Not yet,” Kathleen answered.
Judy sighed. “Kat, please try harder.”
Kathleen understood Judy’s feelings but knew it was difficult when the feelings weren’t mutual. Not wanting to upset her during the holidays, Kathleen nodded earnestly. “I’ll try my best.”
Judy patted Kathleen’s hand gently, her eyes slightly reddened. “There isn’t much time left.”
Kathleen felt a tug at her heart and gently squeezed Judy’s hand. “It’ll be fine. He’s a good person. God won’t take him away.”
“You’re such a sweet child,” Judy managed a faint smile. “I hope there’s still some hope.”
At dinner, Henry asked Shawn, “Has Jeremy been out of Neviton City recently?”
Shawn paused briefly while drinking his soup. “Yeah.”
“Where did he go?”
“He went abroad,” Shawn replied. “He has a lawsuit to handle.”
“Is it urgent?” Henry inquired.
“A bit,” Shawn answered. “If things go smoothly, it should be resolved by March.”
Judy frowned. “That long? What kind of lawsuit?”
“Divorce proceedings,” Shawn responded.
Kathleen quietly ate, not joining the conversation. Hearing about the divorce proceedings made her wonder whether she and Shawn would need to see each other in court if they ever divorced.
“Have you been up to something recently?” Henry asked Shawn again.
She felt the same pressure a student might feel when questioned by their parents about homework, yet Shawn seemed unfazed.
“I’ve been handling some personal matters,” he responded.
“Like what exactly?” Henry pressed.
“The Page family’s son has been bothering Kathleen. I can’t control him, so his parents need to step in.”
Kathleen was surprised by Shawn’s words. Was he talking about Ryan?
Henry looked at her. “You and Ryan…”
“They dated,” Shawn interjected before Kathleen could speak. “A long–distance relationship. He cheated on her.”
Henry’s expression grew serious.
Kathleen hesitated, unsure whether to say anything.
“Ryan has always been trouble,” Judy chimed in “With his temperament and behavior, he needs a strong lesson to straighten him out.”
Kathleen noticed from their conversation that they seemed to know Ryan’s family. Her suspicion was confirmed when Henry warned, “Our families are somewhat related. Don’t embarrass them too badly.”
“Does he know you?” Judy asked Shawn.
Chapter 22
“Nope.”
THE
Kathleen became curious about the relationship between Shawn and Ryan.
After dinner, she quietly asked Shawn, “What’s your relationship with Ryan?”
“We’re distant relatives,” he replied.
Kathleen’s mouth was agape. “You didn’t know before?”
“No,” Shawn admitted. “I only found out when I wanted to teach him a lesson.”
She bit her lip, stunned.
He glanced at her. “Is there a problem?”
She shook her head. “I was just wondering about family hierarchy. Between the two of you, who’s older? What should he call you?”
