When Josephine got next door, she knew Stuart wasn't faking it.
He looked like he was in serious pain, sweating like crazy, and curled up on the couch.
Josephine wanted him to go to the hospital, but he wasn't having it. With no other choice, she did a quick check-up and gave him some medicine.
"Did you have dinner?" she asked.
Stuart shook his head.
Josephine pulled out her phone to order takeout and suddenly asked, "What about lunch?"
He shook his head again.
Josephine was so mad she almost threw her phone. "Don't you know your own body? You had a duodenal ulcer before, and you're still treating yourself like this?"
"Josephine," he looked at her with teary eyes. "Are you worried about me?"
Josephine looked away, trying to keep a straight face. "I'm concerned about my patient."
Stuart said sadly, "I regret it."
Josephine's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what Stuart regretted, but she had a feeling his words would make her uncomfortable.
She quickly chose the most expensive porridge and then put down her phone. "Are you feeling a bit better now? Eat something later, and if it doesn't get better, go to the hospital. Don't tough it out."
She stood up after speaking.
Stuart, sitting on the couch, suddenly reached out and hugged her waist from behind.
Josephine's body stiffened.
Stuart's face was pressed against her back, his voice choked with sobs. "I regret it. I can't just watch you marry Roy and let go. Josephine, I know it's despicable, but I really can't let go. I can't do it. What should I do?"
Josephine's back straightened. Logic told her to remove Stuart's hands and leave without looking back.
Stuart's condition had nothing to do with her.
But emotionally and rationally, she couldn't leave a patient, making him heartbroken and worsening his condition.
She didn't move, only speaking softly. "First, take care of your health. A good body is the foundation for doing anything. When you're better, we can talk."
Stuart could hardly believe it. "Josephine, what did you say?"
He turned her around, looking up at her.
Josephine lowered her eyes and saw the tears hanging on his eyelashes.
Once, she didn't know how many tears she had shed for Stuart—during times of pain, helplessness, and vulnerability.
She wasn't someone who cried and complained when things happened, but that love really changed her.
When she left Stuart, she had sworn never to let herself get hurt again, never to shed a tear for love again.
Now, the one crying in front of her was Stuart.
Stuart's eyes, just cried, were very beautiful.
His usually indifferent and calm gaze was now filled with grievance and expectation.
He looked at Josephine like a child asking a parent for a gift.
Josephine later recalled that if her willpower had been a little weaker, she might not have been able to resist.
The usually indifferent and domineering person suddenly acting cute and weak in front of her, most people probably couldn't handle it.
But Josephine held firm.
She said, "I can't imagine how someone who doesn't take care of their own body can love someone else. Stuart, love yourself before you love others."
"I will!" Stuart's eyes seemed to light up. "I will take care of my body! Josephine."
Josephine replied, "Don't just say it. At least let me see it."
"Okay!" Stuart still held her waist, reluctant to let go. "I will show you. I will love myself and love you, too."
"The porridge is almost here," Josephine cut him off, gently removing his hands. "Make sure you eat it. If you still feel bad, go to the hospital. I need to get back to Jeffery."
Her actions made him feel even more reluctant, and her words hit him hard.
He couldn't help but ask, "Josephine, when you had Jeffery with Roy, it was an accident, right?"
He couldn't believe she had moved on with Roy so quickly after leaving him.
Josephine replied, "Accident or not, it doesn't matter. It's a fact."
Stuart lowered his eyes. "I get it."
Josephine turned to leave.
Stuart called out from behind her, "Josephine, if I can win you back someday, I swear I'll treat Jeffery like my own son!"
Josephine shook her head. "We'll see about the future when it comes."
When Josephine got back home, Laura sniffed her like a dog. "Did he hug you? Why do you smell like a man?"
Josephine pushed her away. "I checked him out. He was in a lot of pain. I had to rule out appendicitis or something. Being close, of course there's a smell."
"I'm telling you, don't go soft on him," Laura glared at her. "Yes, Stuart is great and Jeffery's biological father, but if you forgive him too easily for what he did, I won't agree!"
Josephine looked at her. "So you're saying we should torture him first and then forgive him?"
Laura said, "I can tell you're still different with him. When you hate someone, it shows in your eyes and actions, like with Robin."
Josephine asked, "Why bring him up?"
"See, that's the look and tone," Laura said, "That's your normal expression when you hate someone."
Josephine didn't say anything.
Laura continued, "Anyway, you can't forgive him so easily. I'm telling you, men are all the same. The less you like them, the better they treat you."
Josephine said, "I actually wanted to talk to you about you and Steven."
Laura turned her face away. "You don't need to worry about us."
Josephine advised, "Why is it that you have so much sense when talking about me and Stuart, but when it comes to yourself, you're scared?"
"Scared of what?" Laura got on the bed, hugging a pillow. "I can not care about these things, can you?"
Josephine raised her hand and patted her. "You're not that kind of person. Why say things that make others misunderstand?"
Laura replied, "People who won't misunderstand you won't overthink no matter what you say. People who want to misunderstand you will find reasons even if you say nothing."
Josephine continued, "That's true, but Steven is really good. What more do you want? Do you really want to drive him away and never talk to you again to be happy?"
Laura responded, "I don't care if he doesn't talk to me!"
Josephine said, "Steven is leaving."
Laura looked at her sharply. "What do you mean? How do you know? Where is he going?"
Josephine slowly sat on the bed. "Why do you care? You said you don't care. Why are you so anxious?"
Laura snorted.
Josephine said, "Is it so hard to admit you like him and care about him? Steven came to see me."
"What did he want?" Laura immediately got anxious. "Why didn't you tell me? What did he say?"
Josephine replied, "He said he was leaving."
"Where is he going?" Laura got off the bed and started getting dressed. "Is he crazy?"