Chapter 142
Evening. Josephine still walked through the front door with heavy steps.
As soon as she entered, she heard her mother, Gemma Martinez's voice.
"I just feel that phone call today—you were way too harsh on Jojo. I don't even know if she'll dare come home."
Preston's voice was somewhat muffled. "If I didn't say that, would Jojo come back?"
"Whose fault is it that she won't come back? Isn't it yours?" Gemma complained. "If you hadn't scolded her, would she be afraid to come home?"
"I scolded her because she gave up her work for a man!"
That one sentence plunged the living room into silence.
Josephine coughed lightly. Preston and Gemma, both sitting on the sofa—Preston smoking—looked over.
Preston's hand holding the cigarette paused slightly, his expression unreadable.
Whether welcome or anger, Josephine couldn't tell.
But Gemma was delighted. She immediately set down what she was doing and came over to grasp Josephine's hand, looking her up and down. "You've lost weight."
Josephine smiled. "I haven't. I've actually gained quite a bit lately."
Gemma glared at her, but ultimately felt tender toward her daughter and quickly pulled her inside. "Today I'll make you something delicious. Eat more and gain back what you lost."
Josephine didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
There was always one thing in this world impossible to understand yet impossible to resist.
That was—Mom thinks you've lost weight.
Gemma went to the kitchen to work. Only Josephine and Preston remained in the living room.
Josephine felt inexplicably nervous. Since the heated argument between father and daughter last time, she hadn't come home. At first, she was holding onto her anger, wanting her father to know she wasn't wrong.
Later... she didn't dare come home. Didn't have the face to.
"...Dad."
Preston looked at his daughter. The cigarette burned his hand before he came back to himself, saying in a deep voice, "Since you're back, have dinner at home. Don't leave tonight."
Josephine nodded, appearing exceptionally obedient, just like in her younger years—obedient and adorable. Preston had thought then that his daughter was the cutest little princess.
But children grow up, develop more ideas, and naturally enter rebellious phases. Preston had headaches for a while, but still found his daughter adorable.
Until Josephine wanted to give up scientific research.
In silence, neither father nor daughter spoke. Josephine stood there feeling extremely awkward with a tiny bit of helplessness.
Preston said, "Why are you standing there? Take off your coat, change your shoes. There's a mousse cake your mom saved for you in the fridge. Get it yourself."
Josephine suddenly looked up, only to see that her father had already stood and walked away.
Josephine opened the refrigerator to see the mousse cake on the top shelf. The cake was brand new, untouched. In this house, only she liked eating it.
Preston used to buy it for her often.
Josephine lowered her eyes, which reddened slightly. She took the cake and sat on the sofa, eating small bites. The cake must not have been in the fridge long—it wasn't too cold and tasted especially good.
As she ate, her heart felt mixed emotions.
Until Preston placed a glass of juice before her. "Freshly squeezed. Drink it."
After speaking, he turned to leave. Josephine hurriedly set down the cake, an impulse in her heart she couldn't suppress. "Dad, I'm sorry."
Preston's steps halted.
The cake in Josephine's mouth was sweet, but her heart was bitter—not for herself, but for her father. "I'm an inadequate daughter. I was disobedient and made you worry. I misjudged people..."
Preston suddenly hugged her.
Josephine's eyes stung. When she learned of Gideon's infidelity, she hadn't cried. When she learned the child was gone, she hadn't cried. She'd always held back that feeling, channeling it all into resentment, single-mindedly wanting to make Gideon pay.
To make him know he was wrong, make him understand regret.
But now in her father's embrace, she belatedly felt aggrieved—the sadness and disappointment of being let down.
"He's the one who's blind." Preston ground out the words through gritted teeth.
Josephine burst out laughing despite herself.
Preston released her and flicked her forehead without good humor. "You fool. How did I end up with such a foolish daughter? Getting bullied outside and not coming home to us?"
Josephine scratched her head, feeling somewhat ashamed of her tears now, afraid of her father seeing them. She quickly turned her head away. "What good would telling you do..."
Her parents weren't from any prestigious family or wealthy household. Against the Getty family, they'd gain nothing. She didn't want to implicate her parents.
"I'd take a stick and beat him!" Preston also had a fiery temper, though he couldn't direct it at his daughter. With others, he didn't hold back. Thinking of that damned scumbag made him grit his teeth. "Daring to bully my daughter—I'd ambush him with a sack and beat him half to death!"
Gemma emerged from the kitchen just in time to hear this. "That's enough. Stop bragging. With those hands of yours, would you do something like beat someone up?"
Preston, his cover blown by his wife, looked embarrassed. "In front of our daughter, can you give me some face..."
"Doesn't our daughter know what kind of person you are?" Gemma rolled her eyes. Seeing both father and daughter with red-rimmed eyes still standing there trying to act tough, she sighed helplessly.
Josephine quickly defended her dad. "Actually, Dad is pretty impressive. I remember in middle school when I was harassed by delinquents, Dad rode his bicycle with a stick to pick me up from school."
He'd scared those punks half to death.
Her dad might not be the best fighter, but he'd risk his life for her.
Preston affected a serious expression. "At least you have a conscience."
But the smile at the corners of his mouth couldn't be concealed. He was like this—one compliment from his wife and daughter could make his heart happy for ages.
With this exchange, Josephine finally no longer felt restrained and anxious. She actively linked arms with her father. "I've grown up now. Dad doesn't need to worry about me. People who hurt me—I'll discipline them myself."
"Can you manage?"
Josephine declared confidently, "Of course! Just wait and watch the show."
Preston sighed, knowing his daughter was grown and some things should be left for her to handle. "If you feel tired, come home."
"Okay!" Josephine felt today's best decision was coming home.
Gemma was skilled—she made a table full of good dishes. The family of three sat around the dining table. While eating, Josephine glanced at Preston.
Preston didn't look up, taking a sip of wine. "If you have something to say, say it directly."
Josephine slowly set down her utensils. "Dad, have you ever thought about returning to your old profession?"
"No." Preston's refusal was quite decisive.
Josephine pouted slightly. She'd anticipated this result but hadn't expected her father to have not an ounce of hesitation—clearly it was his most beloved career. "Dad..."
Gemma patted Josephine's hand. "Your dad is a coward. After all these years, he doesn't dare return to his old profession, doesn't dare recall the past."
Preston's cover was blown by his wife again. His face flushed red. "Nonsense!"
Gemma snorted coldly. "I've been married to you for years. Don't I understand you?"
Preston was rendered speechless.
Josephine chuckled secretly. It had been so long since she'd seen her parents so loving and intimate. Even just bickering, the very air was sweet.
It was because of her parents' love that Josephine firmly believed good men existed in this world.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Gemma stood to answer it. Seeing who was outside, her expression immediately turned cold. She raised her hand to close the door.
Josephine was curious. "Who came?"
For her gentle, kind-to-all mother to be this angry, the visitor was no simple matter.
Gemma glanced at her, but before she could answer, the doorbell rang again.
This time, Josephine opened the door.
But she and the person outside were equally surprised. Neither had expected to see the other here.
"Lorelei, what are you doing here?"