When they were busy, time flew.
Laura always said only idle folks get sentimental.
In a flash, Josephine had been abroad for over three months.
Everyone at the research institute was a real genius, deeply into their work, with no scheming or flattery.
Josephine loved the vibe here.
She always had a knack for medicine.
Geniuses can be proud; when she first arrived, not many took her seriously.
But after nearly a hundred days, Josephine had become a core member of the institute.
Before, whether at school or the hospital, people always linked her achievements to her looks.
Here, no one cared about her appearance.
First, everyone wore masks most of the time.
Second, these folks were tireless, down-to-earth scientists who saw everyone as equals.
Josephine felt free here.
After three busy months, she finally had a moment to relax.
Coincidentally, Liam came to visit her.
Before, she was so busy she sometimes didn't reply to his messages for days.
Liam even contacted William.
Unfortunately, William, who promised to look after Josephine, hadn't seen her since she went abroad.
She occasionally replied to Liam but never to William.
When they met, Josephine came out of the institute in a T-shirt and jeans.
Liam reached out, and she hugged him.
Liam quickly let go. "You've lost weight."
Josephine denied it. "No, I haven't. I eat and sleep well."
"But you look vibrant," Liam said. "Even more beautiful."
"Alright, stop flattering me," Josephine glared. "I told you not to come, but you didn't listen."
"I've sorted everything at the hospital," Liam said. "If you'd replied to my messages, I wouldn't have worried."
They chatted as they walked, and Josephine took him to eat.
At the table, their conversation flowed.
Finally, they exchanged smiles and were silent for a few seconds before Josephine spoke, "Alright, any more questions?"
Liam smiled. "No more questions."
"Really?" Josephine nodded. "Okay, once this chance is gone..."
Liam asked, "Stuart hasn't been bothering you, has he?"
Josephine snorted. "You said no more questions."
Liam rubbed his nose. "Well, just this one."
"No, he hasn't." Seeing Liam's wide eyes, Josephine elaborated. "Since I went abroad, I've cut off all contact with him, and he hasn't tried to reach me."
Liam said, "That's good."
Seeing him relax, Josephine asked, "You didn't think he'd still do something even though I'm abroad, did you?"
Liam said, "Who knows? We're normal people. We can't imagine what he might do."
Josephine couldn't stop laughing.
Liam said seriously, "Josephine, after you left, Stuart got close to Donna. I didn't want to tell you, but you should know not to expect him to change."
"It doesn't matter whether you tell me or not," Josephine waved her hand. "It has nothing to do with me."
Seeing her like this, Liam finally felt truly relieved.
He liked Josephine and knew her better than anyone since they grew up together.
No one understood her feelings for Stuart better than him.
Even though Josephine had been firm before, Liam couldn't let his guard down.
That's why he worried about her being alone abroad.
Seeing her transformed and happy now, he was genuinely happy for her.
Liam had been thinking about her so much that he arranged all his work and took a long vacation to see her.
When Josephine learned Liam was staying for half a month, she was puzzled. "This place isn't a shopping paradise or a scenic wonderland. You're wasting your time here. Think it over."
Plus, the area was near the border and not very safe.
However, the city they were in was relatively prosperous and safer than the surrounding areas.
Josephine rarely left the research institute, so her safety was assured.
Liam staying for half a month wouldn't have much to do.
He didn't plan to confess his feelings now.
Josephine had just gotten divorced and needed time to adjust.
Besides, he knew his chances were slim. So, no need to risk it.
For now, seeing her happy and starting a new journey was enough for him.
When William learned Liam was in town, he invited him and Josephine to dinner.
Because Liam was there, William finally saw Josephine again after three months.
"Josephine, you look so young," William said, surprised. "Like a student."
Josephine was wearing black-framed glasses, which toned down her striking looks and made her appear more innocent and sweet.
Josephine smiled and took off her glasses. "They're for blue light protection. How's your business going?"
William replied, "Not bad."
William's company had business abroad, and he had other reasons for returning to the country.
The three of them chatted while eating. William suggested taking a group photo to send to Laura and Claudia.
Josephine was in the middle, with William and Liam on either side.
William held up his phone, fitting their faces into the frame, and quickly took a few shots.
Then he sent the photos to Laura and Claudia.
However, no one knew he had edited the photos, cropping out Liam.
Anyone who saw the photo would think it was just him and Josephine.
Before long, Stuart received the photo on his phone.
The man's face was pixelated, but the woman was clearly Josephine!
The two looked intimate, with soft expressions.
The man tilted his head slightly towards Josephine.
Josephine rested her chin on her hand, smiling brightly.
After three months, Doris received another photo from the mysterious person.
Without hesitation, she forwarded it to Stuart.
She wanted Stuart to see what kind of woman Josephine really was!
She messaged Stuart: [Josephine went abroad, saying it was for research, but I think she went to find a man, right?]
Last time, Stuart said he would have a lawyer talk to her; after they fell out, Stuart took back all the gifts he had given her and donated the cash equivalent to a nursing home.
It almost drove Doris mad.
Now that she had received such a photo, she naturally wouldn't let Stuart off easily.
Stuart looked at the photo, his expression unchanged. If it weren't for his white-knuckled grip on the phone, no one would know how angry he was inside.