Once Upon a Time I Loved You - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Alas, Kelsey’s move stoked Nathan’s anger. He snapped at her, “I told you to stay away from me! Understood?”

He forcefully freed his arm from her grasp. Her face paled. She comforted him, “Nathan, I know you’re worried, but Kathy will be fine. She’s an adult.”

The mention of Kathleen’s name irritated him further. A call came in at that time. He picked up and lost his temper after hearing what the caller said. “Look again if you can’t find her! She can’t just go missing like that! You’ll suffer if anything happens to her!”

Nathan stewed in anger after the phone call. Another one came in. This time, he stared at the number for a while before picking up. Even Kelsey noticed the nervousness on his face. His fingers started to tremble.

He spoke in a shaky voice, “Officer Bell, have you found Kathleen?”

Moments later, he dropped the phone onto the floor and accidentally activated the speaker mode. Brandon Bell, a police officer, explained, “Yes, we found a female corpse in a water tank east of the city. Judging from the age and outfit, that’s very likely Ms. Floss…

Kelsey looked shell–shocked. Was Kathleen dead? Did she love Nathan so much that she chose. to take her life on his wedding day?

Nathan had long–standing feelings for Kathleen. If Kathleen died, Kelsey assumed that Nathan would vent his anger on herself. As for Kathleen, she would be immortalized as Nathan’s first love.

No one could win or replace a man’s first love, especially when she was dead. So what? Kelsey comforted herself. Now that Kathleen was dead, she wouldn’t have a love rival anymore.

A gleeful grin flashed across her face, but she knew it was inappropriate to smile–now. So, she pinched herself hard on the thigh, and tears promptly streamed down her cheeks.

Sobbing, she covered her mouth and let the tears flow. She cried out tearfully, “Kathy, why? What trouble did you come across? You could have told me, and I would have helped you out…”

“Shut up!” Nathan bellowed at her, “No one confirmed that the corpse was Kathy!”

Kelsey fearfully stopped her tears. “But Officer Bell said it was highly likely-”

“But that isn’t a confirmation, is it? Kathy is a tough girl. She won’t take her life.” Nathan proceeded to leave the house, but Kelsey pulled him back.

She demanded. “Where are you going? Tonight is our wedding night. Are you seriously going to leave me alone?”

He turned around and narrowed his eyes with an intimating look. “Kelsey White, know your place.”

“I”

“You are no sister–in–law!” Suddenly, he furrowed his brows. He questioned, “Do you have anything to do with her disappearance?”

Kelsey refuted, “No! I was a bride. I was in a wedding dress, surrounded by the makeup artists and bridesmaids. I didn’t even have time to talk to Kathy.”

In a rush to leave home, all Nathan said was, “Kelsey White, you know what I’ll do to you if I find out that you have something to do with Kathy’s disappearance.”

Trembling, she released his sleeve. He rushed to the water tank east of the city, the one that Brandon mentioned in the call.

There, he found a corpse under a white cloth. Pointing at a sealed evidence bag, Brandon said. to Nathan, “We found this from the water tank. That must be her clothes. Can you confirm?”

Nathan only needed one look to recognize Kathleen’s favorite sky blue dress–her 18th birthday present from him.

The dress was no longer in fashion after seven years, and the color looked faded, yet it remained her favorite.

“Mr. Meyer?”

Nathan grunted softly. “That’s her dress.”

Brandon nodded with a heavy heart. He comforted Nathan, “Mr. Meyer, my condolences. She was so young. What a shame.”

Nathan fell into a long silence. Brandon, assuming Nathan was grieving, did not push him. He comforted Nathan, “I heard Ms. Floss was a terrific photographer. Perhaps artists have this fragile, melancholic nature that.”

“She’s not fragile.”

Taken aback, Brandon replied, “Sorry. I said the wrong thing.”

Nathan shook his head. “She’s not Kathleen.”

“But I thought you said it was her dress.”

“She recently donated all her clothes.” While speaking, Nathan abruptly pulled open the white cloth, startling everyone around him.

Shocked, Brandon gasped, “Mr. Meyer, what are you doing?”

After looking at the girl’s face, Nathan looked deflated.

“Mr. Meyer, are your okay?”

Eyes shut, Nathan sighed in relief. “Thank god it wasn’t Kathy…”

“Mr. Meyer, your phone is ringing. Do you want to take the call?” 

Nathan immediately rejected the call when he saw it was from Kelsey. She called the second time, but he dropped the call.

On the third time, he finally exploded in anger. “What’s the matter?”

The caller, a man, was shocked at his sudden anger. He said in a trembling voice, “Mr. Meyer, I’m sorry for interrupting you. I have a delivery for you. Are you free to sign it?”

Nathan frowned. “A delivery for me?”

“Yes. I’m at the entrance of the villa. Are you free to sign it?”

“I don’t have time.”

“Okay. Sorry for the interruption. I’ll call you again the next day.”

Something struck Nathan. “Wait a minute. Who’s the sender?”

“It’s from a Kathleen Floss.”

Nathan shot up and ordered sternly, “Stay right there! I’m coming.”