Chapter 96
Chapter 96: Belinda’s breath caught in her throat. Although she had resigned herself to the sadness of no longer feeling anything for Kristopher, his words still stung. She had given him five years of love and three years of marriage. He was supposed to understand her better than anyone. Yet, barely a month had passed since their separation, and already he had diminished her so completely. In his eyes, tainted by his own betrayals, he saw her as he saw himself”a cheater. His affair with Cathy had distorted his perception, leading him to suspect every man in her life of being more than just a friend. Fred’s brow furrowed as he addressed Kristopher. “Look, I’m just a college student working part-time as a nursing aide.”’ Kristopher’s skepticism was palpable. “Last time I saw you in a bar, and now you’re her nurse? Quite the coincidence!”’ Fred laughed off the accusation. “Who knows? Maybe next I’ll be delivering your pizza. I take whatever job I can get!”’ Tugging at Belinda’s arm, he added, “We’ve got urgent matters to attend to and no time to waste on you or your girlfriend, whatever her ailment may be.”’ With that, Fred grasped Belinda’s hand firmly and steered her away from Kristopher and Cathy. They had only taken a few steps when Belinda paused, a sudden thought halting her escape. She turned to him with an icy glare and declared, “Mr. Cox, today you and your girlfriend barged into my home while I was out. I’m calling the police. And don’t forget to transfer the money you owe me from yesterday. If you don’t, I’ll make sure everyone in high society hears about this.”’ With those words, she seized Fred’s arm, and they quickly walked away. chð’¶ptð’rs in Kristopher’s brow furrowed in irritation, and he started to go after Belinda but was held back by Cathy. “Kristopher, let them go,”’ she advised him gently. Her voice was soft, her lips quivering slightly as she continued, “It’s getting late. The doctor will be leaving soon. My stomach cancer”¦ I should matter more to you than she does, right?”’ Confronted with Cathy’s plea, Kristopher reluctantly ceased his pursuit of Belinda and accompanied her into the elevator instead. His expression was unreadable as they ascended to the gastroenterology department. Cathy watched him, her mind drifting back to that morning. She had eagerly asked him if he had finalized his divorce, but all he could do was sigh and tell her that Belinda was refusing to let go. Despite his sighs, there was a trace of relief in his demeanor, something that didn’t go unnoticed. Just now, when he was downstairs asking Belinda about her plans, he seemed cheerful. But now”¦ Cathy’s fingernails dug into her palms. Could it be that Kristopher was the one who didn’t want the divorce? They soon reached the gastroenterology department. As they walked into the office, another doctor immediately pulled Kristopher aside. Seizing the moment, Cathy edged closer to Marlene and whispered, “Dr. Reid, about what I asked you last night”¦ Did you tell her?”’ Marlene hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”’ “Is she still in the hospital?”’ Glancing over at Kristopher, who was engrossed in some papers, Cathy murmured, “I need to see her. I need to see what a woman battling advanced gastric cancer looks like.”’…