Josephine returned to the Haustia Manor, greeted Andrew, mentioned she wasn't feeling well, and went straight upstairs.
She slept on the couch.
Today was the 30th, a day for family reunions.
Josephine opened her phone and saw that people were already sharing what they had for dinner on Instagram.
The dinner at the Haustia Manor was also lavish, but Josephine had no appetite.
Claudia went back home to spend the New Year with her parents; Liam was still on duty at the hospital.
In the group chat of four, Laura was the only one talking.
After a while, Josephine replied to her: [I'm on duty tomorrow and free on the 2nd.]
Laura immediately said: [Then let's get together on the 2nd.]
Actually, Josephine wasn't in the mood.
The lights were on in other houses outside the window; everyone was celebrating.
Josephine suddenly thought of that saying, happy families were all alike.
Unhappy families were unhappy for different reasons.
Maybe, she was just too greedy.
Love, after all, was a luxury.
She shouldn't have forced it.
It was originally a marriage of business families, and she had placed unrealistic expectations on herself, on Stuart, and on this marriage.
Laura called Stuart a bad man.
Claudia also said he was a bad man.
Liam even fought with him.
In all of this, the real mistake was that Stuart didn't love her.
However, was that really Stuart's fault?
She had no right to demand that Stuart must love her.
Stuart treated her as a tool for his desires; she was also infatuated with the pleasure Stuart's young and strong body brought her during sex.
Josephine was lost in thought, trying to ease her inner turmoil.
There was a noise outside the door, and soon, Stuart came in.
The room was dark; in the dim light, he stood at the door, his voice cold. He said disappointedly, "It's the Starlight Festival today; what are you making a fuss about? Are you deliberately trying to upset Grandpa?"
Josephine had mentally prepared herself, got up, and without looking at him, walked straight out.
As they passed each other, Stuart grabbed her arm. He advised, "Don't put on that sour face. I married you not to make Grandpa sad"
Josephine smiled at him. She said sarcastically, "You're so filial. Why don't you have a great-grandson for Mr. Andrew Haustia?"
Stuart looked at her. He replied, "Because I don't want you to have one. I will have a great-grandson, but the mother won't be you."
"Fine." Josephine continued to smile. She said calmly, "Then I hope you get your wish soon."
After saying that, she forcefully broke free from his hand and went downstairs.
Stuart had won the argument, but there was no joy in his victory.
In fact, his inner frustration grew even stronger.
His phone rang, and he answered impatiently, "What is it?"
Robin said, "Stuart, can you come out tonight?"
Stuart said, "Tonight is the Starlight Festival, do you think I can go out?"
"Mr. Andrew Haustia goes to bed after ten; you can come out then," Robin said, "We didn't get to celebrate your birthday properly last time."
Stuart said, "Not tonight, I have to visit relatives tomorrow."
"Alright," Robin asked, "How was your time abroad?"
Stuart said, "What do you think? Busy as hell, I only sleep three hours a day."
Robin said, "I wasn't asking about work. I was asking if you saw her?"
"Who?" Stuart asked, then realized who he meant and said, "No."
Robin was stunned. He asked, "Didn't see her? Then what did you go for?"
"Work," Stuart said, "Of course."
Robin asked, "Didn't you go abroad because you knew she had a cold?"
Stuart was puzzled. He clarified, "Who told you that? There was urgent work, so I went."
"You..." Robin was silent for two seconds, then laughed. He probed further, "Alright, if you say so. Really didn't see her?"
Stuart said impatiently, "No need to lie to you."
"Why didn't you see her?" Robin asked, "Aren't you worried about her?"
Stuart said, "She doesn't want to see me."
Robin was speechless.
How could that be?
If she really didn't want to see Stuart, she wouldn't have told Robin about her cold and fever.
She wanted Robin to be the messenger.
Robin said, "Girls are most vulnerable when they're sick, how could you..."
"She said she didn't want to see me." Stuart's voice was low. He retorted, "So why should I see her?"
Robin didn't know if Stuart really couldn't understand or was deliberately saying the opposite to annoy him.
However, thinking about Stuart's past behavior, he felt Stuart might really think that way.
He found it both infuriating and amusing. He asked, "So, unless she says she wants to see you, you won't see her?"
Stuart said, "Right."
Robin asked, "Even if something happens to her, you won't see her?"
Stuart was firm. He replied, "No."
Robin couldn't help but wonder. He asked, "Do you really like her? It's been years; don't you miss her?"
Stuart was silent for a few seconds.
He thought about it, and her image seemed to have faded in his mind.
Time was always ruthless.
However, he knew in his heart that he hadn't let go of that feeling.
"You don't understand," He said, "Maybe other people's feelings can't withstand the test of time, but mine can."
Hearing this, Robin felt half relieved. He remarked, "Actually, I think she wants to see you, but she can't say it herself, right?"
Stuart said, "A man should keep his promises."
Robin really wanted to know what he was think about.
This was not the time to talk about integrity.
He had no choice but to ask, "Does Josephine know why you went abroad?"
Stuart was puzzled. He replied, "I went abroad for work, what should she know?"
Robin asked, "Didn't she ask you?"
Stuart thought about what Josephine had said and finally caught a key point. He inquired, "Did you tell Josephine I went to see her?"
Robin certainly wouldn't admit it. He denied, "How could I? Josephine blocked me and hasn't unblocked me yet."
"That's good," Stuart said, "Stay on her blacklist."
"Stuart, I'm your friend. She treats me like this; doesn't she give you any face?" Robin said, " She's really not fit to be Mrs. Haustia with such a bad temper!"
Stuart said, "Just take care of yourself; don't meddle in my affairs. And don't tell me any more news about her."
Robin was puzzled. He asked, "Why? Don't you want to know about her?"
Stuart said, "If she wants me to know, she'll tell me herself. I don't need you to be the messenger. Our matters don't need your interference."
Robin said, "I'm doing this for your own good."
"Don't do it next time," Stuart said expressionlessly, "I said, my matters don't need your interference."
Robin said, "And Josephine..."
"Josephine is none of your business either," Stuart said, "Whether now or in the future, if I find out you bullied her, don't blame me for not considering our friendship."