---- Chapter 14 "What? Nothing to say? Joshua, | was blind to think you loved me deeply. All your devotion was just to get that liver, wasn't it?" Kathleen said, her voice rising. "Sorry to disappoint you, but it's in my body now. | didn't die. Are you upset about that?" The more she spoke, the angrier she grew. The man she shared five years with, her partner, wanted her to die for his mistress's mother. She itched to slap him again. But she refused to tangle with him further. He'd face his own consequences. Joshua's eyes reddened. In their ten years together, Kathleen never spoke to him like this. She truly hated him. "No, Kathleen, listen. That wasn't my intention. Ella's mother is already dead, and |..." he stammered. Kathleen gave a bitter laugh. "Joshua, | don't care who dies. | gave you the chance to be with your little family. Isn't that what you wanted?" Joshua shook his head frantically. He didn't want that family. He only wanted Kathleen to come back. "No, I've dealt with Ella. I'm done with her. Kathleen, trust me. I've only ever loved you. ---- Kathleen met his red eyes. She believed he loved her once, but not that she was his only love. "Joshua, don't flatter yourself. | don't love you anymore." Her words shattered Joshua's heart. She was his everything. Without him, she'd have died long ago. "l don't believe you stopped loving me, Kathleen. Don't fool yourself. Come home with me. You don't want kids? Fine, we'll raise Tara together. We're the real family, |..." he said, but before he could finish, a fist knocked him down. Adrian rubbed his knuckles, pinning Joshua under his foot. "You're a disgrace to men. Asking Kathleen to raise your mistress's daughter? How dare you?" Furious, Adrian kicked Joshua twice more. "Where'd you run off to? | was just talking to the doctor, and now | can't find you. If Aunt Ellen finds out | lost you, she'll have my head," he said, glaring at Kathleen. Kathleen, knowing she was in the wrong, didn't argue back. Joshua, wincing, scrambled up. Seeing a man hit him, he exploded. "Who are you? Why'd you hit me? Sweetheart, why are you with this guy? Are you trying to get back at me?" Kathleen stepped forward. "Don't assume everyone's as filthy as you. Who I'm with is none of your business." Joshua blocked her, gripping her arm tightly. "| believe you. If there's nothing between you, come home. | won't hold your ---- leaving against you. I'll treat you better, Kathleen." Before she could respond, Adrian yanked Joshua's hand away. "Are you a leech? She doesn't want to go with you. Can't you hear? Stay away from her." His eyes flashed with warning. He couldn't fathom how Kathleen fell for such a scumbag. Kathleen herself regretted it deeply. She said nothing more, just took Adrian's arm gently. "Let's not waste words on him. Ellen's waiting." Adrian shot Joshua a final glare, then guided Kathleen away quickly. Joshua stumbled after them. He knew Kathleen was soft- hearted. She was just mad. She wouldn't really want a divorce. "Kathleen, have you forgotten our vows? You said we'd only part by death, not divorce!" 1 Kathleen paused, fighting the sting in her eyes. Her voice trembled. "But Joshua, in my heart, you died long ago." The quiet, caring boy she loved was already dead in her memories.