Josephine finally understand that people's hearts could be really unfair.
If she'd known Liam would get into trouble, she wouldn't have come here.
This war-torn place and its suffering people had nothing to do with her.
It was the government's fault and the military's weakness that left citizens unprotected.
If she was risking her life for her people, it might be worth it. But if Liam died here, she'd never forgive herself.
She was a doctor without borders, driven by humanitarianism to, willing to sacrifice herself to save lives.
But that didn't mean she should throw a tantrum and make Liam risk his life for her. She shouldn't have been so stubborn.
Seeing Liam safe now, she felt both joy and terror.
Stuart held Liam with his big hands while she stood by, watching anxiously and crying silently.
When he saw her like this, Stuart's heart ached.
When Liam was in danger, Josephine risked her safety to save him. But when Stuart went in to find Liam, she didn't seem to care about him at all.
Stuart was so jealous he was gritting his teeth, and Liam noticed it.
"Be gentle," Liam reminded him, "If you use any more force, my arm will break."
Hearing this, Josephine wiped her tears and looked at Stuart with tear-filled eyes. "Can you handle it?"
Stuart thought, 'Of course, I can! A man can't say he can't!'
Josephine had no idea her casual remark could make Stuart think so much.
The nearby building was chaotic, but Josephine found someone to take an X-ray of Liam. Sure enough, his ankle was fractured.
The ward wasn't affected, and the attacking enemies would shoot and then move on.
Liam was placed in the ward, and Stuart stood in the middle of the room, neither concerned about Liam's condition nor saying he would leave.
Josephine fixed him up, put on a cast, and bandaged him before speaking, "Liam, I'll call someone to take you back later. Don't buy a plane ticket; I'll call Uncle Clement to send a private jet."
Stuart then spoke, "No need for that trouble; I'll have someone take him back to the States."
"That works too." Josephine looked at him. "Thanks, Mr. Haustia."
Stuart gritted his teeth, wanting to say something, but just grunted.
Josephine then looked at Liam. "I promise you. I'll go back to the research institute and won't put myself in danger again."
Liam finally smiled. "Good."
Liam had just gone through a life-and-death situation and looked tired.
Josephine arranged everything for him and let him rest before leaving the ward.
Stuart, who had been standing there like a statue, immediately followed her out.
Outside the ward, Stuart asked, "When are you going back home?"
"Back home?" Josephine shook her head. "At least three years later."
"No way." Stuart frowned. "This place is terrible; there's no reason to stay. If you need anything for your research, I'll get it for you. It's better to do it back home."
Considering he went in to find Liam, Josephine didn't want to argue with him.
She calmly explained, "This research project involves several countries. The conditions back home don't meet the requirements, so I can't go back. Plus, the research institute is far from the border, so it's safe."
Stuart blurted out, "What about me if you don't go back?"
Josephine was surprised. "Whether I go back or not has nothing to do with you."
Stuart gritted his teeth. "You're driving me crazy."
Josephine shook her head. "I don't want to play guessing games. We've said everything that needed to be said. Stuart, I told you I have no regrets, and you said it has nothing to do with me anymore. What do you mean now?"
Stuart said, "I never said that."
Josephine replied, "But that's what you meant."
Stuart frowned. "Can I apologize?"
"Don't." Josephine smiled. "Mr. Haustia, don't wrong yourself. Life is short; live it according to your own heart."
She was about to leave, but Stuart grabbed her. "I'm sorry."
Josephine was stunned.
After their divorce, Stuart had gone crazy a few times and had softened and lowered his head to her. But every time, his tone was condescending, making it hard to listen to.
This time, his words sounded sincere and heartfelt.
However, Josephine no longer needed it. She shook her head. "You don't need to apologize to me. From the moment we divorced, we have nothing to do with each other."
"The things I did before hurt you." Stuart looked into her eyes. "Josephine, I truly realize my mistakes now. And these days, I've also understood my feelings. When I previously mentioned getting back together with you, I was speaking out of anger, but now I am sincere..."
"Mr. Haustia," Josephine interrupted, "Can I ask you a question?"
Stuart quickly said, "Go ahead."
Josephine asked, "Don't you know the first thing to do before liking someone?"
Stuart was stunned. "What is it?"
Before Josephine could answer, he added, "There are many things I don't know how to do. Josephine, if I've done something wrong, tell me, and I'll change."
If one didn't know their history, just looking at his attitude, no woman could refuse. Plus, he was handsome and tall, which helped.
Josephine smiled. "If you change, you won't be yourself anymore. If liking someone means changing who you are, it's very painful."
Stuart frowned. "Then what is the first thing you mentioned?"
Josephine said, "It's respect."
Stuart was puzzled. "I don't respect you?"
"You never respected me," Josephine said, "You never considered my feelings or listened to me seriously. I said after the divorce, don't contact me again. How did you do?"
"If that's the kind of respect you mean, then I indeed didn't do it," Stuart said, "It can't always be what you say."
Josephine smiled and shook her head. "No, Mr. Haustia, liking someone can be very simple or very complicated. It might be a lifelong lesson for someone. In this regard, I also failed. I have no experience to share with you. So, Mr. Haustia, if you truly like someone, learn to respect her first."
After saying that, Josephine left. This time, Stuart didn't stop her.
Next, he called someone to send Liam back to the States first.
No matter what, he had to get rid of his rival first so he could pursue his love without distractions.
Stuart was full of confidence.
Josephine's temper was definitely temporary.
Once he showed his true feelings, Josephine would surely be moved soon.