Josephine finished treating the wound and told Harold, "Take care of yourself."
As she was about to leave, Harold glanced at Stuart and said, "Dr. Kalmien, I need an answer!"
Josephine frowned. "Focus on getting better."
"Is it because you have a boyfriend?" Harold asked, raising his hand. "Is it him?"
Stuart looked tired but clearly angry.
Josephine seemed surprised but quickly went back to treating the wound, not even glancing at Stuart.
Stuart felt a mix of anger and unrecognized hurt. He had come a long way to find her, and this was her reaction?
Hearing Harold's question, Stuart held back his temper. If Josephine admitted he was her boyfriend, he wouldn't mind.
Stuart smirked a bit, but before Josephine could answer, the nurse said, "It's not him! Dr. Kalmien's boyfriend is Dr. Clement, another great surgeon!"
Stuart's eyes narrowed. He pondered, 'Dr. Clement? I must have misheard or misunderstood. It can't be Liam.'
Josephine didn't stop the nurse in time. Seeing Stuart's grim face, she packed up and left.
As she passed Stuart, he said coldly, "Stop!"
Josephine ignored him.
Stuart grabbed her arm, but the nurse pulled him away. "What are you doing? Which ward are you from? If you bother Dr. Kalmien again, you'll deal with me!"
The nurse was strong and blocked Stuart. Josephine left without looking back.
Stuart wanted to follow, but the nurse blocked him. "Dare to chase?"
Stuart hesitated to use force. "Is Dr. Clement Liam?"
The nurse was surprised. "You know Dr. Clement?"
Stuart looked furious.
The nurse sensed danger. "I don't care who you are. We value Dr. Kalmien and Dr. Clement here. No one bullies them!"
She glared at Stuart and then went after Josephine.
Josephine found Liam. Neither had surgeries at the moment.
Liam was changing dressings. With so many injured and limited resources, they had to do a lot themselves.
Liam asked, "What's wrong?"
They spoke in their native language, so no one else understood.
Josephine said, "Stuart is here."
Liam paused, then continued disinfecting. "Why?"
"I don't know; he's crazy," Josephine said impatiently. "I only asked you to pretend to be my boyfriend to deal with people here. If Stuart knows, he won't listen to any explanation."
"Don't worry," Liam said, taping up the dressing. "Let him do his thing."
Josephine sighed. "Thanks."
"I have surgery soon," Liam said. "If you want to avoid him, come with me."
Josephine shook her head. "He won't leave until he talks to me."
"Want me to go with you?" Liam asked. "Maybe it's better if he thinks we're together."
Josephine shook her head. "I'll handle it."
"Josephine..." Liam started.
"Go on, get busy," she said, turning to leave. She couldn't let Stuart think she and Liam were really together. Stuart was unpredictable; who knew what he'd do to the Clement family.
As she left the ward, she saw Stuart. He looked thinner but still tall and distinguished in his tailored suit.
"I have surgery in twenty minutes," Josephine said, walking up to him. "Let's talk."
"Are you with Liam?" Stuart asked, eyes blazing.
Josephine shook her head. "No. Single women here attract trouble, so we pretend to be a couple."
"You're not lying?" Stuart's anger seemed to lift.
"Why would I lie? But why are you here?"
The last time they met, she had told him she wouldn't regret her decision, and he had warned her it was her last chance.
She thought she'd never see him again after that messy goodbye. But here they were, months later, in a foreign land, both seemingly calmer.
Josephine had moved on, but Stuart hadn't. He'd been restless, sleepless, feeling like something essential was missing.
Seeing Josephine today, her first words were to explain her relationship with Liam. He thought that meant she hadn't let go either.
"I came to find you," Stuart said, trying to be flexible. "To settle things."
Josephine frowned. "We have nothing to settle. The divorce agreement was clear. Or do you have new thoughts on the property division?"
"Josephine!" Stuart, frustrated, grabbed her wrist. "Come with me!"
"I have surgery soon!"
"It won't take long!" Stuart pulled her into a nearby stairwell.
Before she could speak, he hugged her tightly. Josephine struggled.
"Josephine, don't move," Stuart said. "Just let me hold you for a while."