Josephine heard the sadness in his voice and froze for a moment. But soon, she pushed him away firmly.
Stuart didn't push back. They separated, and he looked down at her.
Josephine's brows stayed furrowed. "You shouldn't have come. If there's nothing else, leave now."
Stuart's eyes flashed with anger. "Who told you to come here? This place is dangerous."
"I came on my own. I'm an adult; my decisions are my business. And you, Mr. Haustia, we're divorced. Stay out of my affairs."
"You call yourself an adult but make reckless choices!" Stuart was furious. "There are safer places to help people; why come here?"
"Saving lives is my duty. This place needs me more."
"This place isn't worth the risk."
"Stuart!" Josephine was shocked he said that.
"Am I wrong?" Stuart was angry. "If something happens to you, even if they all die, it wouldn't..."
"Shut up!" Josephine pushed him hard. "My life isn't more precious than theirs. They matter just as much as I do."
"Enough!" Stuart was impatient. "That's pointless. I thought you were rational, but you're acting recklessly!"
"It matters to me." Josephine was almost laughing in anger. "I didn't ask you to come. I have surgery to do."
"Fine."
Surprisingly, he agreed quickly.
Then he added, "After this surgery, you're coming back with me."
Josephine looked at him incredulously. "I'm not going back with you. We're done."
"Josephine," Stuart's face was cold. "Don't make me force you."
"Fine," Josephine stared back. "If you're not afraid of me hating you, go ahead."
She turned and left. Stuart stood silent for a few seconds, then punched the wall in anger.
Before surgery, Josephine took deep breaths to calm down.
The operating room was quiet.
The patient had been brought in two days ago, but surgery wasn't possible then. It was scheduled for today.
This country was war-torn, and the patient was a warrior fighting for it.
The atmosphere was tense and solemn.
Suddenly, a loud bang shook the room, even the shadowless lamp swayed.
But Josephine's hand stayed steady.
Someone shouted, "An earthquake!"
"No, it's an enemy attack!"
Enemy attacks usually happened at the front lines, but now they were at the rear hospital.
"The hospital has security! Stay calm!" Josephine didn't look up. "Continue the surgery!"
Her calm voice soothed everyone.
"Dr. Kalmien, the adjacent ward and operating room were bombed!"
Josephine's body trembled, and she sped up her actions.
She finished the toughest part and dropped the scalpel. "Finish the sutures!"
Liam was in the next building's operating room; she had to check on him!
As soon as she left the OR, someone grabbed her.
"Josephine! Are you okay?" Stuart asked, worried.
Hearing the explosion, Stuart's heart nearly stopped. He grabbed a panicked nurse, got the OR location, and ran over. The bodyguards tried to stop him, but he ignored them, thinking only of Josephine.
Holding her tightly, he felt his heart start beating again. "Josephine!" His eyes stung with pain.
At that moment, he realized if something happened to her, he wouldn't want to live. He couldn't lose her; she was his life.
"Let go of me!" Josephine pushed him away and ran off.
Stuart, caught off guard, let her slip away. "Josephine! It's dangerous outside!"
The enemy had bombed the place, and half the building had collapsed. Who knew what they'd do next? He couldn't let her run around.
He chased after her. "Stop right there!"
Josephine, knowing the area well, quickly lost him after a few turns. Tears streamed down her face as she ran.
Coming here, she had no attachment to life. Starting fresh sounded nice, but she found that after she stopped loving Stuart, she seemed to lose interest in everything else.
If she could help this world, even if it meant dying, she was fearless. She didn't care, but Liam shouldn't have to face this danger. It was all because of her.
If something happened to Liam, she'd never forgive herself. As she ran, she prayed for a miracle.
She ran fast, but when she reached the building, she couldn't get close and watched from a distance. The building had collapsed, dust swirling, darkening the sky.
People were screaming, crying, and fleeing. Josephine was stunned, then ran towards the rubble. She remembered the OR was in the middle; if Liam was lucky, he'd be okay.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm. It was Harold's subordinate, a dark-skinned man.
"Dr. Kalmien, don't go there. It's dangerous; the building could collapse any moment."
Josephine broke free. "My friend is in there!"
"You can't go!" The man grabbed her again. "You'll die!"
Josephine gritted her teeth and shook off his hand. This time, she said nothing and rushed forward.
"Josephine!" It was Stuart. He had caught up.
Seeing her rush into the crumbling building, his eyes were bloodshot. He lifted his leg to chase her.
Two bodyguards grabbed him. "Mr. Haustia! It's too dangerous!"
"Yes, the building could collapse any moment!"
Stuart's face was cold. "Let go! You stay here; I'll go myself!"
He broke free from their grip and chased after Josephine.
"Liam!" Josephine struggled forward, coughing from the dust. "Where are you? Liam!"