Chapter 68

Patricia gritted her teeth. Kathie was truly cunning-keeping Jonathan wrapped around her finger despite having a husband. She had to find a way to win Jonathan back before her chance slipped away forever.

After leaving the office. Jonathan called Kathie and learned she was at the school. He instructed Ben to drive him there.

Just as Kathie arrived at the school, she spotted Randy waiting at the entrance with a bouquet of flowers. It didn't take a genius to figure out he was waiting for her.

Kathie sighed in frustration. How was she ever going to shake off this human barnacle?

As students began filing out, Kathie hoped Randy would leave once he picked up his own child. Instead,he sent his nanny ahead with his kid and hurried over when he saw Kyle and the others emerge.

"Kyle, hasn't your mother arrived yet?" Randy asked eagerly.

Kyle glared at him with undisguised contempt. "Why are you asking about our mom? We barely know you."

Zachary made a face at him. "Go away! Mom always gets upset when she sees you."

"Yeah, you're so annoying," Eileen added with a look of disgust.

Randy laughed awkwardly. "I know I made mistakes in the past. but I want to make things right with your mother. I could be a good father to all of you."

Kathie couldn't stand it anymore. She strode forward and pulled him away from the children.

She shouted, "Randy, what's wrong with you? Don't fill the kids' heads with nonsense."

Randy thrust the flowers toward her. "Kathie, please give me another chance. I promise to take care of all of you and treat the children as my own. You don't want people gossiping about your children being illegitimate,do you? I'm willing to claim them as mine."

Kathie cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I don't need your sacrifice. I'd rather face a lifetime of judgment than let my children call a fraud their father."

She turned to leave with her three little ones, but Randy shamelessly followed.

"You can insult me all you want-I'll take anything if you'll come back to me. Kathie, I know I was wrong. Can't you forgive me?" he said.

Kathie clenched her fist, desperately wanting to hit him. If not for the children watching, she would have given Randy the thrashing he deserved.

As Randy followed them all the way to their car, Kathie was reaching her breaking point when suddenly a hand pulled him back.

"Ben!" The three children exclaimed, as if seeing their savior.

Kathie exhaled with relief. "Ben, your timing couldn't be better."

Ben glared at Randy. "Dr. Cavendish, do you need assistance?"

"Desperately. Keep him away from me."

"Of course. Mr. Berkeley is waiting for you by the road." Ben positioned himself between Randy and Kathie.

Kathie looked over and saw Jonathan waving from his car.He'd come personally.

"Thank you." Kathie said1, eager to escape Randy.

Randy shouted after her. "Kathie, don't think throwing yourself at him will get you into high society! The Berkeley family will never accept someone like you!"

Kathie wasn't naive-she knew perfectly well that aristocratic marriages were beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Yet as soon as she got in the car, Jonathan said,"His opinion doesn't represent everyone's."

Kathie looked startled. "What do you mean by that?"

Kyle explained, "Seven means you could marry him."

Eileen's eyes widened with excitement. "Is Seven saying he wants to marry Mom?"

"Obviously," Zachary chimed in.

Kathie rolled her eyes and playfully tapped each child's head. "Don't get any wild ideas."

Jonathan's lips curved into an amused smile. His meaning had been perfectly clear-this stubborn Kathie was less perceptive than her children.

"I'm planning to move back to the family home this weekend," Kathie said."Commuting to and from the cottage takes too much time, and my grandmother misses the children. It's a good opportunity for them to spend time with their great-grandmother."

Jonathan nodded. "Fine by me. I'll come with you."

Kathie frowned. "You'll be with your family and that girlfriend of yours.Why do you need to follow me around?"

Jonathan teased. "You sound jealous."

Kathie gave him a wickedsmile. "I think I need to increase your medication for tinnitus-you're clearly hearing things that weren't said."

Jonathan knew he needed another approach, but he was determined to stay with her. "You've taken my money, so you're responsible for me until I'm fully recovered. Besides, do you really think these three can bear to be separated from me?"

Kathie confidently began, "Of course they can manage without..."

Before she could finish, all three children had thrown their arms around Jonathan. making their position abundantly clear.

He had won their loyalty long ago.

Jonathan looked triumphant while Kathie was left speechless. She'd have to tolerate his presence for now, at least until he recovered.

Back at Maple Grove Residence, Kathie prepared dinner with Jonathan insisting on helping.

As he clumsily trimmed vegetables, he cleared his throat. "What happened today isn't good for the children. You should resolve this situation quickly."

Kathie sighed. "Don't you think I want to? If he'd just agree, I'd file for divorce today. I don't understand what's gotten into him-he was desperate for a divorce before, and now he refuses to even consider it."

"Would you like me to help?" With his family connections, Jonathan could easily solve the problem with a single word.

"Let's wait a bit longer," Kathie said. "If it becomes impossible, I'll ask for your help."

Jonathan wasn't pleased. The mere thought of Randy hovering around her

irritated him.

He set down the vegetables with a cold expression. "I'll go check on the children's homework."

Kathie wondered what she'd said to upset him. For a grown man,he could be remarkably childish.

That evening, after bathing the children and tucking them in, Kathie went to Jonathan's room. She found him drenched in sweat and immediately felt his forehead.

"Why are you sweating so much? Are you feeling unwell?" sheasked.

Jonathan wouldn't admit he'd been secretly practicing walking. He could now stand and take a few steps while holding onto the wall.

If Kathie knew about his progress, she might stop helping him with certain things.

"I tried standing up earlier, but my legs gave out. I almost fell," he lied.

Kathie examined his legs with concern. "You should be able to walk gradually by now, but your recovery seems slower than expected. I'll need to adjust your medication tomorrow."

Jonathan feigned worry. "Will I ever fully recover?"

"Of course you will. I've never failed to hea a patient. You need to have faith in yourself. Now, let's get you bathed."

Kathie wheeled him to the bathroom and had him lean his head back against her knee while she washed his hair.

.Every time her fingers ran through his hair, Jonathan felt a flutter in his chest.

As she leaned slightly forward, her full breasts occasionally brushed against his forehead, soft and warm, stirring unwelcome desires.

Jonathan watched her through half-closed eyes. Her lush red lips moved as she spoke, igniting something within him.

"Dr. Cavendish, what would you do if someone suddenly kissed you?"

Kathie answered calmly, "I'd paralyze them with my needle. Why,would you like to try?"

Jonathan grinned. "Try to be a bit more gentle; it makes you more endearing to others."

Kathie rolledI her eyes. "I don't care. I prefer living on my own terms without constraints. Don't try to box me into your expectations-it won't work. Close your eyes now, unless you want soap in them."

Jonathan closed his eyes. She really was a stubborn womnan who couldn't take even the smallest joke. She had effectively doused the flame of desire that had been building within him.