章 23: Chapter 23 Hurt Feelings

"Sam, you need to believe it. That's the truth!" Arnold retorted as he looked at Samuel who clenched his fists out of frustration and pain. There was nothing he could do to ease his pain. It was best for Samuel to face the truth wholeheartedly than feign ignorance. Arnold knew Samuel wasn't completely ignorant about the fact that he was being used. He knew somewhere in Samuel's heart he was waiting for Ophelia to change, to open up to him, to accept him, to love him. But things weren't going as he planned. Before he could think of anything to ease Samuel's pain, he heard Ciara's and Cindy's voices behind his door. He pulled Samuel to the study in his room and locked the door hurriedly to prevent the ladies from seeing the current situation. Samuel sat on a chair in the study with a blank expression. Arnold leaned against the table next the chair Samuel sat on. The study was filled with silence, the only sound that could be heard was the warm giggling of the twins. When they entered the room, their giggling had stopped and it seemed one was irked. Somehow, their conversation made Samuel clench his fist more and shift uncomfortably in the chair. Arnold saw how uneasy Samuel felt and tapped Samuel's shoulders assuringly. Even though, it was not enough to totally expel those weird feelings, Samuel relaxed.