Katherine pressed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Work pressure has been heavy lately. I just lost control of my emotions a little while ago."
She did not want Joshua to know the real pain inside her. That was the deepest secret in her heart. She only wanted to bury it and not let anyone touch it.
Katherine and Joshua went to the same university. He was one year ahead of her.
During their university days, they often met because they shared the same mentor.
Back then, they were full of youth and hope for the future.
Joshua always helped Katherine with her studies. They discussed topics and did experiments together. Those days were simple and beautiful.
But later, for some reason, Joshua did not follow what everyone expected and work in a hospital. Instead, he chose to go home and take over his family business.
This decision caused quite a stir at the time, but for Joshua, it might have been a well-thought-out choice.
In the past few years, Katherine had drifted away from them. She seemed to not know how to maintain relationships.
She was afraid others would not like talking to her or that she would trouble them.
Since starting work, she stayed mostly at the hospital or at home.
"Are you still working so hard? Sometimes you should let yourself relax a bit," Joshua said, looking at Katherine with a full heart of concern.
He knew she was always a strong person, giving her all in studies and work.
Katherine looked ahead and tried to force a smile. "It's okay. Coming here to feel the river breeze today makes me feel much better."
She tried to act more natural and did not want Joshua to see her cracks.
"Do you live nearby?" To change the topic, Katherine asked casually.
Joshua softly said "Mm," his eyes still on her, as if trying to see through her true feelings.
"The housing prices here must be very high, right? Maybe millions?"
Katherine tried to keep the conversation light. She did not want the heavy atmosphere to continue.
Joshua smiled at her and said, "My parents bought it. You think I earn that much money?"
He knew she was trying to ease the mood, so he followed along.
"That's good. Having parents like that is really nice."
A complex emotion flashed in Katherine's eyes, a mix of envy and a little bitterness.
Her family was not as happy as Joshua's. After her mother left, her father remarried and had a son and a daughter. She was like an extra in that family.
She could not even remember how long it had been since she last went home.
All these years, she had faced life's difficulties alone.
Hearing this, Joshua's brows tightened slightly. He keenly sensed the deeper meaning behind her words.
He wanted to know why she suddenly said that, but seeing her reluctant eyes, he did not press further.
He knew everyone had secrets and pain they did not want others to touch. If she did not want to say, he would not force her.
Seeing her still low in spirit, Joshua felt some pity. He wanted her to get out of this sadness soon.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Do you want to go somewhere with me?"
Katherine looked at him with curiosity, "Where?"
"You will know when we get there." Joshua smiled mysteriously, his eyes shining with expectation. "Want to come?"
Katherine nodded, "Okay, is it far? I drove here."
"Not too far, but walking will take some time. Then take your car."
"Okay."
On the other side, Andrew stood at Katherine's door, his finger pressing the doorbell again and again. The clear ringing echoed through the quiet hallway, but no familiar footsteps came.
His brow furrowed, a wave of unease rising in his heart. Could she really have gone to the hospital?
As soon as the thought appeared, he took out his phone and quickly dialed Assistant Ryan's number.
"Hey, check if Katherine is at the hospital. Send me a message as soon as possible." Andrew's voice was low and urgent.
"Okay, boss." Assistant Ryan answered on the other end. He knew his boss well and could feel the urgency in Andrew's tone.
Andrew paced back and forth in the hallway, each step feeling like it hit the tangled strings of his own troubled heart.
At this moment, the scene of him impulsively going with her to get the divorce papers kept flashing in his mind.
After about ten minutes, Andrew's phone vibrated. It was a call from Assistant Ryan.
He quickly answered, "Boss, she didn't go to the hospital, and…" Assistant Ryan's voice hesitated, as if struggling to continue.
"And what? Say it!" Andrew's heart sank.
After a pause, Assistant Ryan seemed to gather courage and said, "She was suspended from work at the hospital. It seems that while she was with you this morning to get the divorce papers, one of her patients had an emergency.
Because she left work during working hours without permission, she was punished. We don't know yet when she can return."
Hearing this, Andrew felt an unexplained discomfort.
He knew from Assistant Ryan how important the hospital work was to Katherine, that it was her dream and passion.
Now, because of getting divorce papers with him, she got suspended. She must be very sad.
"Send someone to find out if it's really because of Katherine or something else." His voice was hoarse and carried a hint of anger.
"Tell me once you find out." Andrew ordered again.
"Okay, boss. Should we send someone to look for her now?" Assistant Ryan asked.
Andrew thought for a moment, a complicated look flashing in his eyes, "No need."
He knew Katherine might not want to see him now, and he also needed time to sort out his own thoughts.
He ended the call, his face growing even more serious.
Suddenly he remembered what he said to her this morning. It seemed she first said she had no time, but he was stubborn, saying this was the only chance, if missed, there would be no more.
That's why she put down her work and went with him to get the divorce papers.
Andrew got back in his car, glanced at the time. It was already ten in the evening, and Katherine still hadn't come home.
He quietly took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.
The smoke filled the small car, blurring his vision, just like the confusion in his heart.
Joshua brought Katherine to the foot of the mountain. "Want to try climbing up with me?"
"Do you believe that once you reach the top, all your troubles will disappear?"