Chapter 81 Leaving Home
Although I was very puzzled by Nathan going out during the day, I didn't ask him about it, after all, that would expose myself. While I was at work, I couldn't help but speculate, could it be that Nathan couldn't control his desires and went to see a prostitute? Or is he secretly meeting with Katniss somewhere else? But I dismissed these doubts because Nathan always asks me for money, and since he got older, he has no source of income to afford a prostitute. You know, prostitutes are not cheap these days. Meeting with Katniss is also unlikely because from their interactions at home in the past few days, it's clear that Katniss hasn't forgiven Nathan and hasn't been treating him well privately.
I have been working hard during this period because the headquarters' quarterly comprehensive inspection is coming up, so I have been focusing on rectifying the work projects to be inspected. The plan to go on a trip with Katniss has to be put on hold temporarily until after the inspection.
Time passed without me realizing, and a week went by. When I returned home from work, dinner was prepared, cooked by Katniss. Perhaps Nathan noticed that Katniss no longer enjoys the meals he cooks, so now Katniss is the one preparing dinner. Katniss has things to do and tries to avoid talking to Nathan as much as possible. It seems that Katniss is unable to forget Nathan's deceitful behavior that night in the short term, which made her lose her innocence completely. However, as time goes by, Katniss's blame towards Nathan has softened somewhat.
In theory, Katniss has given Nathan the maximum level of intimacy – oral sex, thigh sex, caresses, and more. But kissing and actual intercourse have always been her bottom line, which she has never allowed Nathan to cross due to my presence. So when Nathan broke the agreement and forced himself on her, it's no wonder Katniss blames him. I know that Katniss's inner pain will take time to heal, so I have not made any plans to move forward.
"Kevin , Katniss, I found a job. I'll get ready to start working tomorrow." Nathan, who was eating at the table, said to both of us with his head down, leaving Katniss and me shocked.
A job? Nathan, at his age, looking for a job. I finally understood why Nathan was going out during the day recently – he was out looking for a job.
"Dad, are you kidding? Why would you, at your age, look for a job? With mine and Katniss's salaries, we have more than enough to support this family. You should enjoy retirement at home, why go out to work?" I might have guessed what was going on, but hearing that Nathan was going to drag his slightly aging body to work still hurt me. Katniss, upon hearing this, also froze, as if she also understood something, her expression subtly tinged with heartache.
"I'm not joking, and besides, I'm not even 60 yet, and I'm still in good health. Simon is already in kindergarten and doesn't need me to take care of him. I have some free time now. You know, I've lived in the countryside all my life, and coming to the city suddenly, to be honest, after living here for a few years, I still can't get used to it. I prefer the rural life." At this moment, Nathan raised his head, smiling as he spoke to me. Although Nathan was smiling, I could read his helplessness and reluctance from his expression.
"The countryside? Do you mean you're leaving home to live where you work? Are you going to work in the countryside? What kind of job did you find?" My mind was full of questions, and my tone couldn't help but sound urgent.
"Don't worry, it's not a strenuous job, quite easy. I'll be overseeing wind power facilities and crops on Serenity Bay Isle, like patrolling, no physical labor. And Serenity Bay Isle has great scenery, I can even grow some vegetables there, maybe raise some poultry. Working there feels like being in the countryside, and I'm happy to go." With that said, I finally understood what Nathan's job was.
We are near Frostfall River in Nightfall City, and there are many islands in the center of Frostfall River. Now, the country encourages green projects, so some islands have been contracted out for wind power development. There are many large wind turbines on the islands, and some people even grow crops like corn. Nathan will be patrolling those islands. The islands are isolated from the world, and only special tourist boats can reach them, with fares set according to the distance to the islands.
I tried my best to persuade Nathan, but he never relented. I know Nathan's temperament – very stubborn and determined. Katniss watched me and Nathan trying to convince each other the whole time, without saying a word.
She might have thought about why Nathan was leaving home. Although Nathan hurt her, she knew the fault was not entirely his. Over time, she might fully forgive Nathan. Her coldness towards Nathan is just because she hasn't come to terms with it internally. But when she heard that Nathan had truly decided to leave home, Katniss looked at him with reluctance, even a hint of panic in her eyes, and her hand holding the fork was trembling slightly. Occasionally, she would look at me with hope, and I could feel that Katniss was hoping I could persuade Nathan.
"Don't try to persuade me anymore. If you really care about me, you should support me because this is the life I want. I never had the time or opportunity before because of Simon. Now that I finally have the time, please fulfill this wish of mine." After hearing Katniss's words, a hint of relief flashed in Nathan's eyes, but there was no surprise. Nathan's heart was fragile, perhaps Katniss's recent attitude had already made Nathan give up hope. Katniss's current persuasion was no longer effective; otherwise, Nathan should have been surprised.
In the end, Katniss and I didn't manage to change Nathan's mind. The next day, Nathan started packing his things. I helped Nathan pack his daily necessities and clothes with a heavy heart, while Katniss silently assisted on the side. Since Katniss had to pick up and take care of the children, I ended up being the one to accompany Nathan to Serenity Bay Isle where he would be working. We had to take a small boat there, and the fare for one trip was $10. Serenity Bay Isle had beautiful scenery and fresh air.
During those days, Nathan even bought fishing gear, so he could pass the time fishing on the island during his free time. I couldn't help but envy the life on Serenity Bay Isle; it truly felt like a paradise. However, Nathan was the only one on the island, enduring the loneliness. There was a small house on Serenity Bay Isle with only one room and a kitchen, and a small shed behind the room, seemingly used for storage. Since the island mainly focused on wind power development, the small house had no shortage of electricity, and daily life needs were mostly met. However, Nathan needed to go to the mainland from time to time to purchase essential items.
I didn't return home until late at night, and the house felt significantly emptier without Nathan. As I lay in bed at night, I was filled with self-blame. Did I make a mistake? All of this was caused by me. If it weren't for my twisted desires, Nathan wouldn't have left the house, living alone on a small island with his aging body.
At night, after Katniss fell asleep, I would usually check the surveillance videos at home. With Nathan gone, this set of equipment now seemed somewhat unnecessary. Before I got home, Katniss would finish cleaning the house and cooking dinner, then sit on the sofa in silence without even turning on the TV. Sometimes, she would sit there for over an hour, motionless, lost in thought. Katniss's emotions were complex, filled with pain and reluctance. Sometimes, she would gaze at the family portrait on the living room wall, which included me, Nathan, Katniss, and Simon. The photo was taken when Simon turned one year old, and we took it together.
Sometimes, Katniss would grip the sofa tightly, her hands showing visible veins from the force, her face filled with self-blame and regret. Perhaps only through loss can one learn to cherish. Nathan's departure brought a significant impact on Katniss. Maybe Katniss hadn't realized her true feelings until Nathan actually left. After their intimate encounters, her feelings for Nathan were no longer just familial; there was an invisible bond that had formed, considering Nathan had completely possessed her.
In the days that followed, I would regularly visit Nathan to bring him essential items, trying to make his work and life on the island more comfortable. Perhaps due to leaving home and lacking our care, Nathan had lost some weight. With no one to talk to, his spirits seemed to be declining. Maybe because life on the island was too dull, Nathan surprisingly started smoking again after quitting for many years. Back in the countryside, Nathan was almost always seen with a cigarette in hand. However, after moving to the city, especially after Simon was born, Nathan quit smoking for the sake of the child's health. Unexpectedly, he had picked up the habit again now.
Katniss would subtly ask me about Nathan's well-being, although she did so naturally and discreetly, I could sense her concern and care for Nathan. Every time I mentioned Nathan's physical and mental state, Katniss would furrow her brows. When I told her that Nathan had started smoking again after quitting for many years, Katniss bit her lip, almost losing control of her emotions.
One night, while taking a bath in the bathroom, Katniss covered her mouth and secretly cried for a long time. Finally, when I was asleep, she emerged from the bathroom with swollen eyes, all of which I unintentionally saw on the surveillance video.
During this time, I kept thinking. Every time I visited Nathan, I never gave up hope of persuading him to come back home. However, each time, I returned empty-handed. Perhaps Katniss felt guilty towards Nathan, as she never accompanied me to see him. When missing Nathan, Katniss would foolishly stare at the family portrait on the living room wall before I got home.
Not long after, it was Nathan's birthday. Since Nathan was now living on Serenity Bay Isle, I called him to come home for his birthday, but he refused to return. So, I decided to buy some things and celebrate Nathan's birthday on Serenity Bay Isle. This time, Katniss didn't avoid it and actively wanted to go see Nathan with me. After all, it was Nathan's birthday, and Katniss couldn't avoid it.
I bought two bottles of red wine to have a good meal with Nathan and celebrate his birthday, hoping to have a good talk with him and persuade him to come home soon. Katniss also prepared a gift for Nathan, but it was wrapped in a very old-fashioned style, and I couldn't tell what was inside. Katniss refused to tell me, only saying it was a birthday gift for Nathan.
Seeing Katniss being so mysterious, I couldn't help but be curious. What kind of gift could it be that she kept it such a secret?
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