Steven looked puzzled. "What's going on in that head of yours? Stuart and Josephine have history, and he's trying to make up for past mistakes, so giving you shares makes sense. But can Rex do the same?"
Laura shot back, "Then don't even think about pursuing Josephine."
Steven sighed, "It's not surprising he wouldn't give you shares. Besides someone like Stuart, how many guys would hand over their assets while chasing someone? Not many."
Laura added, "Then tell him to stop dreaming."
Steven replied, "Look, Josephine's amazing, but she's not some goddess that no one can live without. Rex is a grown man, and at his age, love isn't the only thing that matters."
Laura stared at him. "Are you talking about Rex or yourself?"
Steven was caught off guard and quickly said, "I'm not like him. Our situation is different from his and Josephine's."
Laura stood up. "I think you just let slip what you really think. What is love to you? Just a hobby? What am I? A toy?"
Steven frowned. "What are you even saying?"
Laura grabbed her bag and turned to leave.
Steven grabbed her arm. "Is that really how you see me?"
Laura replied, "Yeah!"
"Laura!" Steven was furious. "Can't you see how I treat you? I practically want to give you my heart, what more do you want?"
The silence was so thick, they couldn't even hear each other breathe.
After what felt like forever, Laura finally spoke, "Are you tired? If you are, let go."
With that, she pulled free from Steven's grip.
But this time, Steven didn't go after her.
Josephine got back to Hustalia from Celestia Springs after a busy trip and noticed something was off with Laura after a couple of days.
When she returned, she wanted to sort out the kindergarten situation first.
Laura showed up on the first day and took Jeffery to check out the kindergarten.
In the end, Jeffery had no complaints, so Laura decided to pick the best and most expensive one for him.
Then she transferred the money to Josephine, saying that as Jeffery's godmother, she'd cover his kindergarten fees.
And she made Josephine promise not to tell Claudia.
Josephine didn't argue and accepted it happily.
That night, Laura crashed at Josephine's place.
Roy stayed back in Celestia Springs since he had some stuff to handle personally.
The first day was exhausting, so the three of them went to bed early.
The next day, after Jeffery fell asleep, Josephine and Laura had a chat in bed.
Josephine said, "Roy mentioned he wants to open his family's company here."
Laura said, "That's awesome, his family is already a big deal, opening a company is no biggie for him."
"Whatever, I don't care anymore." Josephine sighed. "He can do what he wants."
"I think it's a good idea," Laura said, "At least with him around, Stuart won't drive you nuts."
"Stuart went to see Claudia," Josephine said, "Jair ordered clothes from Claudia just so Stuart could see her."
Laura wanted to curse and replied, "Claudia would definitely turn him down! He just won't quit, will he?"
"So Jair really doesn't like Claudia."
Laura imagined herself in that situation. If she liked Jair, and Jair asked her to make clothes just because of Stuart, with her temper, she would have smashed Stuart's head.
They chatted a bit more, then there was a brief silence before Josephine said, "By the way, Emily reached out to me."
After she said that, Laura didn't respond.
She glanced over and saw Laura zoning out.
"Laura?" Josephine called, giving her pajamas a little tug. "What's on your mind?"
Laura snapped back to reality and looked at her. "Nothing, just feeling a bit worn out."
"What's up with you?" Josephine asked, eyeing her. "You seem off. Did you mess with Steven again?"
Laura scoffed, "When have I ever messed with him? Why don't you say he messed with me?"
Josephine chuckled. "Him messing with you? That's a first."
"I don't want to deal with love anymore." Laura flopped onto the pillow. "It's draining."
Josephine patted her. "Don't be silly! But if you're done with dating, then just get married."
Laura shook her head. "Never crossed my mind."
Josephine said, "Laura, I'm serious. Don't be stubborn, try to make it work with Steven. He's not getting any younger, you two should settle down and maybe have a kid. You love Jeffery so much, wouldn't it be nice to have your own?"
"Other people's kids are better," Laura said, "I don't want one of my own."
Josephine pressed on, "Then at least think about Steven."
Laura shot back, "Why should I? Why should I have a kid for him? I go through all the trouble of having a kid, and it has to take his last name? Whoever wants to have one can, but not me."
Josephine called, "Laura."
"Enough." Laura tugged at her clothes. "I know you're looking out for me. But everyone has their own way of living, and I don't want my life to be all about compromising and making myself miserable."
Josephine knew Laura's past hadn't been easy.
Her current mindset was closely tied to her past experiences.
Josephine respected her and genuinely hoped she could start fresh.
She asked, "Let's drop it. Did you and Steven really not fight?"
Laura stayed silent.
Josephine understood, "So you did fight. It's been two days, and he hasn't reached out?"
Laura said, "I deleted him."
"You." Josephine was speechless. "Even sulking should have its limits, right? How hurt do you think he is?"
"Maybe what I did is exactly what he wanted," Laura said, "Without a contact, he still knows I'm staying with you. He could come if he wanted to. But he didn't."
Josephine said, "Laura, you and I are different. I don't agree with your views on love, but I respect you. If you're not happy with him, I support you breaking up with him."
Laura stayed silent again.
Josephine added, "But if you still care about him, give him another chance."
Laura shook her head. "Let's not talk about this, let's sleep."
Josephine knew Laura had a strong personality and didn't like others meddling in her affairs.
Having known her since childhood, Josephine understood her the best.
Laura's words were sharp, but she was soft-hearted. When she argued, she was really sharp-tongued, but when something happened, she was genuinely willing to help her friends.
Compared to Laura, Josephine felt she had been too submissive in the past.
Although she didn't agree with Laura and Steven's way of getting along, she admired Laura's boldness and freedom in being herself.
She didn't know if she would ever fall in love with someone again.
But if she did, she vowed to love herself more. And in love, she would no longer be subservient and humble.
In the morning, after the three of them had breakfast, Josephine went to the research institute, and Laura took Jeffery to the amusement park.