Chapter 43
Josephine was definitely sensitive to pain. She wasn't afraid of anything except pain. Her pain receptors were naturally hypersensitive—what others felt as a five out of ten, she felt as an eight.
So when she'd miscarried, the pain had made her feel like she was dying.
Gideon's phone rang again in his pocket.
Josephine said, "Maybe you should answer? We're in a hospital, after all."
The ringtone was practically noise pollution at this point.
Gideon still ignored his phone, helping Josephine sit on a bench. "Wait here. I'll go get your medication."
He turned and headed downstairs to fill the prescription.
Josephine narrowed her eyes slightly. About half an hour later, Gideon returned.
Josephine immediately noticed a sweet, cloying scent clinging to him. The smell was familiar and nauseating.
Gideon fussed over her, carrying medication in one hand and her favorite hotdog in the other.
"I know you love these. I usually don't let you eat them, but since you're hurt, I'll make an exception today."
Josephine looked down at the hotdog.
Back when they were starting out with nothing, they'd both loved cheap street food like this. Even knowing it wasn't healthy, it was delicious and affordable.
But at some point, Gideon had started looking down on these things. He'd say they were unhealthy and strictly forbid her from eating them.
He only bought them when he'd screwed up and made her angry—compensation for his mistakes.
"Where did you go just now?" she asked.
Gideon's expression didn't change. "I went to get your prescription. Saw a hotdog stand outside the hospital, so I grabbed you one."
He cradled her injured hand carefully, as if afraid to touch the wound.
"Does it hurt?"
Josephine slowly withdrew her hand and took a bite of the hotdog.
It tasted the same as always, but somehow not as good as she remembered.
After two bites, she wanted to throw it away. Unwanted food belonged in the trash.
But Gideon intercepted it, casually taking a bite of the half-eaten hotdog. "Don't waste food."
Even though he clearly didn't like them anymore.
Josephine glanced at him and subtly pulled away, putting distance between herself and that sickeningly sweet scent. "Those calls seemed urgent. Who was it?"
"Someone from the company."
Gideon finished the last bite of hotdog and tossed the stick in the trash. He wiped his hands with a napkin, then took her uninjured hand.
"They called so many times. Must be urgent."
Gideon sounded distracted. "It's fine, not urgent. She can handle it herself."
Josephine stopped walking and turned to straighten his slightly crooked tie. "Since there's something at the office, you should go. I can manage on my own."
"Jojo."
Gideon looked disapproving, not wanting to leave.
Josephine smiled. "Go on. Don't let me keep you from work. I'll call if I need anything."
Gideon sighed helplessly and kissed her forehead.
"You're always so understanding... I'll head back to the office then. Go home early... I'll come see you tonight." The words carried obvious implications.
Even though they weren't living together now, Gideon felt strangely like they were back before they got married. Back then they hadn't been together every day either.
When he'd missed her too much, he'd just show up at her place. The wild passion of new love was something marriage couldn't replicate.
Josephine smiled and nodded.
The moment he left, her smile vanished. She quietly followed him.
Gideon didn't leave the hospital. He went to the maternity ward instead.
In one of the rooms, Lorelei lay in bed. Gideon pushed the door open.
Through the crack, Josephine could see inside.
"Mr. Getty, I'm so sorry to worry you. I don't know what happened—my stomach just felt off today. The doctor said I might be weak and not getting enough nutrition." Lorelei sounded dejected.
"I'll get you a nutritionist."
Gideon immediately made a phone call.
Lorelei grabbed his free hand. "Mr. Getty... thank you."
Gideon hung up and tried to pull his hand back, but Lorelei had already thrown herself into his arms, kissing his jaw, her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
Gideon froze.
"Mr. Getty... we haven't had sex in so long. Don't you miss me?"
Her hand slowly moved downward.
Gideon's breathing grew heavy for a moment. He grabbed the back of Lorelei's head, warning through clenched teeth, "Now that you're pregnant, behave yourself."
Lorelei smiled brightly. "But I miss you."
She kissed Gideon's lips.
Outside the door.
Josephine's cold face flashed past. She looked at the photos she'd captured on her phone.
Too bad it wasn't time yet. Otherwise, these photos alone would be enough evidence of Gideon's infidelity.
She left, suddenly tripping over a rock and nearly falling.
She steadied herself against a planter, laughing bitterly at herself.
Probably no woman could watch her husband's tender scene with another woman and stay completely calm.
Josephine covered her mouth and ran to a tree, dry heaving for a while but nothing came up.
Disgusting. So disgusting.
Inside the room, Gideon pushed Lorelei away, frowning coldly at her. "You're pregnant. Control yourself."
"I just wanted to help you..."
He'd clearly been aroused too. Why reject her?
"The doctor said as long as we're careful, it's fine."
"Lorelei, are you really this desperate?"
Gideon's expression darkened. Usually he found their games exciting, but now she was carrying his child. Everyone was waiting for this baby's arrival.
Lorelei's behavior was too reckless.
"Since you're not getting enough nutrition and keep feeling sick, stay in the hospital for a while. And I'm busy these next few days, so don't call me unless it's important."
Gideon turned to leave.
Lorelei grabbed his hand. "Can't you stay with me? With the baby too? After all, once the baby's born... they'll be sent to live with you and your wife, and I'll... have to leave. You know my parents never cared about me. I just want to enjoy our time as a family of three."
Gideon stopped.
"Please. The baby wants their mom and dad around too."
Gideon closed his eyes. Images of his childhood with his mother flooded his mind—her endless tears and complaints, his father's sporadic visits.
His father Bentley hadn't visited them every day. Bentley had a family, legitimate children. Once or twice a month was already a lot.
If Bentley met other women, he wouldn't visit them for ages.
His mother's complaints had filled his entire childhood.
He'd sworn never to let his own child repeat his experience. Yet fate had led him down this exact path anyway.
Gideon turned back and sat on the edge of the bed, letting Lorelei hold his hand. With his other hand, he pulled out his phone and found photos of Josephine in his gallery.
He stared at them for a long time.
Josephine was hungry and found a restaurant on her way back.
The moment she walked in, she heard arguing inside.