Chapter 341

No one could truly empathize with Linda. Empathy often turned out to be a vague and idealized concept. It was difficult to define and even harder to genuinely experience. "William, I'm not rejecting contact with you, nor am I keeping Lexi away from you. It's just that you're not the intimidating figure you once were, nor do you repulse me when I see you. "All I ask is that you treat my Lexi well and help look after her while Samson and I are busy. In plain terms, you're just a babysitter," Linda said, straightforward as always. She wasn't unaware of gentleness. It was just that her capacity for it had faded over four years of marriage. She had long stopped discussing the past, whether good or bad. Linda had built herself into a fortress, strong and impervious to outside forces. She needed to be resilient enough to handle everything that came her way. … After dinner, William left. Samson arrived just half an hour before Lexi's bedtime, looking tired but carrying a cake. "Wha