Chapter 19
Shawn’s kiss wasn’t gentle. It was wild and fierce, and Kathleen didn’t like it.
She pushed against his shoulder, resisting his rough kisses. Yet, the more she pushed, the harder he kissed her.
Grabbing her hands, he pinned them above her head, stopping her from pushing him away.
A breeze drifted in through the open floor–to–ceiling window, stirring the sheer white curtains into soft, graceful waves. The wind came in tender bursts, teasing and twirling the fabric until they danced together in perfect rhythm.
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Sunlight streamed into the room and glided the curtains in a golden glow that looked too beautiful for words.
Kathleen’s silky hair sprawled over the edge of the sofa. Her clothes were rumpled, and her eyes were misty as if covered in fog, while her heart pounded furiously against her chest.
She panted, tasting the once–unfamiliar breath that now felt oddly familiar in her mouth as her body went limp and soft.
The breath hitting against the hollow of her neck was hot, as if it would burn her skin. Shawn’s breath was erratic yet controlled.
She had underestimated his self–control and was shocked that he managed to stop in such a situation. More than anything, she was shocked that he lost control in the first place.
Kathleen knew that he had lost control. She figured he must’ve been provoked by something to lose control, and that source might’ve been the woman he truly loved.
She remembered Chelsey had told her that the woman he was with had gone abroad after he was diagnosed.
A realization struck her, and she wondered if Shawn had gone abroad to see that woman. That seemed to be the only explanation for his behavior today. After having an answer, Kathleen quickly calmed down. She didn’t push him away but allowed him to lean on her.
His erratic breath gradually steadied.
They continued leaning against each other. The curtains were fluttering, but the room had grown quiet.
After a long time, Shawn stood up.
Kathleen was pale, but her lips were full and red from his kisses.
A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, and he swallowed nervously. He wanted to say something but wasn’t sure what.
Sitting up, she tidied her hair, picked up the hair tie that had fallen onto the couch, and quickly tied her hair back. Then, she adjusted her clothes before curling her lips into a slight smirk and teased, “Your kissing skills need to be improved.”
Her teasing tone made his heart feel heavier.
“I’m going to take a shower.”
Shawn went out on the balcony for a smoke. His heart was still racing, reminding him of what he had just done.
He had lost control.
Feeling frustrated, he smoked one cigarette after another.
His phone buzzed, and he took a glance at it but didn’t reply.
When he heard movement behind him, he turned and saw Kathleen had already changed into a pair of clean clothes. She was drying off her damp hair and had come out to grab her laptop before returning to her bedroom.
Shawn realized she hadn’t wanted to sleep with him like she claimed she wanted to.
His fingers jerked as the cigarette burned out and stung his skin.
Then, he returned to the living room, grabbed his shirt, and left the house,
Hearing the door close, Kathleen let out a long sigh and finally relaxed. She flopped on the bed and pressed her lips together.
Her lips felt numb, which didn’t feel nice. As she licked her lips with the tip of her tongue, Shawn’s kiss came to her mind, and she bit her lips, lingering In the feeling
She didn’t understand how that woman could bear to let him go. If that woman had stayed, Shawn would’ve doted on her.
Kathleen believed that Shawn was extremely devoted to the one he truly loved.
“You can’t drink alcohol”
Jeremy leaned forward to snatch Shawn’s wine glass but stopped when he met Shawn’s murderous glare,
Chapter 19
“Do you have a death wish?” Jeremy grew concerned as he watched him chug the wine.
Shawn ignored him and continued to pour and drink.
“Do something!” Jeremy yelled at Colin.
However, Colin merely glanced at him calmly as though saying he couldn’t do much.
“I swear!” Jeremy was so furious that he wanted to curse. “Couldn’t you have stopped him from travelling abroad? Why does he still care about her?”
Upon hearing this, Shawn stopped mid–sip and turned his icy, venomous eyes at him.
Jeremy took off his glasses in frustration and massaged his temples. “So what if you went over? Were you planning to bring her back? Did you forget she’s already married?”
When Colin heard this, he wanted to tell him to tone things down and not to upset Shawn.
“She wants a divorce.” Shawn finally spoke, setting down his glass. “Help her.”
Jeremy’s eyes widened in shock. “What did you just say?”
“She needs a lawyer to help her with the divorce. I want you to help her.”
“Why should I?” Jeremy scoffed and rolled his eyes.
“I’m willing to offer you a very generous lawyer fee.”
Jeremy turned to look at him. “I thought you’d say for the sake of our years of friendship.”
Shawn reached for the cigarettes on the table. “You’ve never cared about things like that.”
“Good that you know.” Jeremy put his glasses back on. “What’s your plan after she divorced?”
“I might not live to see her finish the divorce proceedings.”
Jeremy instantly went silent, and the room fell into a heavy, suffocating stillness.
After finishing his cigarette, Shawn took his coat and stood up. “Draft a deed of gift for me.”
“For whom?” Jeremy feared he’d say Sarah’s name.
“Kathleen.”
The name took Jeremy and Colin by surprise.
After all, Shawn had previously stated that if Kathleen married him, she would only receive the title of being his wife. But now, he was leaving her something.
“What made you change your mind?”
Shawn put on his coat, his tone cold as he stated, “She’s not as worthless as I thought.”
With that, he walked out.
Colin quickly followed, while Jeremy stood frozen for a moment before chuckling softly.
As Colin drove, he glanced in the car’s rearview mirror and said, “The doctors in Marton believe you still have a chance. You don’t need to be so negative about it.”
Shawn clenched his fist as he looked out the window at the bustling traffic. “It’s only a chance.”
Colin wanted to say more to comfort him. But like Shawn had said, it didn’t mean much as it was merely a chance and not a guarantee.
The window was rolled down slightly, letting in a bone–chilling wind.
Streetlights lined both sides of the bridge, casting a golden glow that chased the darkness away.
Suddenly, a memory of a night one year ago came to his mind. He saw an older woman standing on the edge of this very bridge, and a young woman had clung to her from behind, crying, desperately tugging at her hand.
However, the older woman was resolute to end her life.
His car had already passed by, but he had reversed and gotten out to pull her down.
He remembered turning and seeing the younger woman standing with tear–streaked makeup before Sarah called him away.
He wondered how she was doing
However, the moment that thought crossed his mind, Shawn couldn’t help but sneer at how he still cared about others when he was dying He had once done a good deed, yet he couldn’t live long
