Chapter 30
Josephine left Getty Manor and received a call from Sophia, inviting her shopping.
Normally, she would have declined. But Sophia's birthday was coming up, and she wanted to find her a gift.
They met at the mall, where Sophia ended up buying Josephine a bottle of perfume before Josephine could find anything for her.
"I remember you loved this in college," Sophia said, handing her the gardenia scent. "You said it helped you calm down."
"I haven't worn gardenia in ages." Gideon had hated it. His control over her had been ridiculous—dictating everything from her clothes to what perfume she could wear. She used to think that was love.
"Since you're facing life again, you should try new things. Or old things that were once yours," Sophia said. "If you really don't like it anymore, I'll find something else."
When Josephine brought the bottle to her nose, the delicate scent washed over her. For a moment, she felt transported back to college—carefree and fearless. Then the illusion shattered, and she was just Josephine again, battered by a broken marriage.
"Well?" Sophia asked.
"It smells wonderful," Josephine replied with a small smile.
Back at Clearwater Ridge, Sophia eagerly pulled out her makeup kit. "Since getting married, you've gone bare-faced, stopped wearing makeup, stopped wearing nice clothes. Now that we're starting fresh, let's make you look fabulous again."
Josephine closed her eyes, surrendering to Sophia's ministrations. When Sophia finished, Josephine opened her eyes to find a familiar stranger looking back from the mirror.
"Your skills are impressive. If you ever quit medicine, you could be a beauty influencer."
Sophia laughed as she packed up her supplies. "Don't tease. I enjoy playing with these things, but as a career? No thanks. Being a doctor is still my life's calling."
Suddenly, Josephine's phone rang. It was Kenneth with just five words: "The professor is sick."
Josephine dropped her phone, startling Sophia.
"What happened? What's wrong?"
Josephine grabbed Sophia's hand. "Book me a flight. I need to leave the country."
---
In college, Josephine had studied under a renowned professor—brilliant, hardworking, with exacting standards. He rarely took students, accepting only two disciples in his entire career.
One was Josephine. The other was Kenneth.
"Don't worry," Kenneth said, sitting beside her on the plane. "He'll be fine."
Josephine closed her eyes, feeling a heavy weight on her chest. "I let him down."
Since getting married and leaving research behind, she hadn't visited the professor who had changed her life. Not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't bear to face those eyes that had once held such expectations for her.
Kenneth handed her a bottle of water. "Drink something." He wasn't good at comforting people, but it was the best he could offer.
Josephine managed a weak smile. "Thank you."
Few people knew they were academic siblings, studying under the same mentor at the same university.
When the plane landed at three in the afternoon, Josephine and Kenneth hurried from the arrival gate, unaware of the tall figure watching them from behind.
"Sir, the car is ready," Noah said.
Cedric nodded and turned toward the exit.
Noah glanced back curiously. What had caught his boss's attention?
---
As the car cruised along the highway, Cedric kept his eyes on his laptop. "Prepare a gift. We're visiting Professor Carter at the hospital."
"Everything's ready, sir."
Cedric checked his watch, recalling the familiar figure he'd spotted at the airport. Impossible. Why would Josephine be here?
---
Josephine and Kenneth went straight to the hospital without even dropping off their luggage. After getting the room number from a nurse, they rushed to see their mentor.
At the door, however, Josephine hesitated.
"Maybe I shouldn't go in." Her mind was flooded with memories of their argument years ago.
Kenneth paused, then said gently, "You've come all this way. At least take a look. Besides, haven't you missed him?"
Josephine stared at the door without responding. Of course she missed him. He had recognized her talent, nurtured her growth. But that final argument still haunted her. She felt too ashamed to face him.
"You go in. Call me if anything changes."
Kenneth nodded reluctantly. "Wait for me in the hallway, then."
Watching Kenneth enter, Josephine sat on a bench in the corridor. After a moment, she realized they had rushed over without bringing anything. That wouldn't do at all.
She hurried downstairs to find a gift shop. The elevator was broken, so she took the stairs—and promptly collided with what felt like a brick wall.
She clutched her forehead, seeing stars. "Damn... what are you made of, concrete?"
"Your head's pretty hard too."
Recognizing that voice, Josephine looked up in shock to find Cedric rubbing his chest, a red mark forming on her own forehead.
"Are... are you okay?"
"If you ram into me like that again, I might not be."
"My head hurts too," she muttered.
"What are you doing here?" Cedric asked.
"What are YOU doing here?" she countered.
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "This is a hospital. I'm visiting a patient, obviously."
"So am I."
They stared at each other, then spoke simultaneously:
"Don't tell me we're here to see the same person."
After speaking, they both fell silent.
Noah, who had been parking the car, caught up just in time to hear their synchronized response. "Wow, you two are really in sync..."
Both turned to glare at him. Noah clamped a hand over his mouth. Stupid, stupid mouth!
Josephine cleared her throat. "Well, if you're here to see your patient, go ahead. I need to go out."
She stepped aside. They brushed past each other.
Josephine sighed with relief as she descended the stairs, but then Kenneth called.
"Josephine, come quickly. The professor's condition has worsened."