"Stop!" Esther yelled, "You haven't even seen your dad. Where are you going? We're not dead yet!"
Emily chimed in, "Mom, don't be mad. She just got back and must be tired. Let me take her to rest first, okay?"
"Weren't you going to tidy up the room?" Josephine asked. "Why haven't you done it yet?"
Esther was furious, almost throwing a coffee cup. "Are you trying to piss me off? Look how sensible Emily is! And then look at you! How did I raise someone like you?"
Josephine had seen her parents once after her divorce. She had poured out her grievances, hoping they'd understand. Instead, they blamed her, calling her selfish.
The Kalmien family's business relied on Stuart. If she divorced him, what would happen to the family? Todd and Esther decided Josephine should apologize to Stuart and live a life of compromise.
Josephine was crushed, losing all hope in them, just like she had with Stuart. Repeated disappointments drained her passion until she had no expectations left.
The day she left Auroravale City, Josephine knew she had lost both love and family. She didn't expect that when she returned, even her role as a daughter would be taken. But it didn't matter; she had wasted that role anyway.
"Mom," Josephine said, "Since she's here to take care of you, I'm relieved. I'll call Dad."
As she was about to leave, Esther called out, "Since you're back, next week is Emily's twenty-fifth birthday. We're planning a big celebration. You should come."
Josephine walked away without looking back.
Emily chased her to the door. "Josephine! Josephine!"
Esther pulled her back. "Why are you calling her? She's heartless! She's never been on the same page with us since she was a child!"
Emily's eyes welled up. "Mom, I'm afraid she might misunderstand me. After all, you are her biological mother."
"Silly girl, don't say that," Esther comforted her. "You saved my life. You're like my own child. You're so well-behaved and sensible, never making me angry. Unlike her, who never considers the family!"
Esther added, "Use this birthday to find a good young man."
Emily blushed. "Mom."
As Josephine left the villa, a black car pulled up. Someone got out, opened the door for her, and invited her in.
Josephine sat in the car and rubbed her temples.
Otis spoke from the front. "Ms. Kalmien, to the hotel?"
Josephine responded with a hum.
Three years ago, Josephine had performed surgery in a foreign hospital, saving Otis, who had been targeted for assassination. Since then, Otis had followed her on her overseas trips, ensuring her safety.
He had been in the military, serving as a special forces soldier. After retiring, he became a mercenary abroad. Now, he no longer worked as a mercenary and was employed by Josephine.
Otis owed his life to Josephine. He was loyal and grateful, considering Josephine more important than anything.
He drove her to the best hotel in Hustalia.
Josephine slept for a while. When she opened her eyes, she saw the luxurious hotel sign. Otis had already gotten out with the luggage and opened the door for her, bending down to look at her.
Otis was usually silent and had a stern look, but Josephine knew he was reliable and not as intimidating as he seemed.
Otis handled the check-in with his ID. In the elevator, he stood beside her. "Ms. Kalmien, you should rest early."
Josephine had just returned from a medical research forum abroad. Over the past five years, she hadn't been idle. Even during her pregnancy, she had been in touch with top medical experts via email.
Josephine had a natural talent for medicine. The mechanical prosthetics she had researched were now in mass production, helping many disabled people. After giving birth, she focused on other medical challenges and overcame them one by one.
She had even performed Otis's life-saving surgery herself. While other top surgeons wouldn't have guaranteed his survival, Josephine did it.
Abroad, she had gained fame, but her whereabouts were unpredictable, and her identity remained mysterious. With Otis as her bodyguard, many wealthy individuals seeking her expertise struggled to contact her.
Besides surgeries, Josephine had several research projects. This time, she returned partly for Claudia's engagement and partly to discuss a project with Liam. She wanted to continue her research domestically to benefit her hometown. She couldn't always stay abroad, helping foreigners.
Moreover, five years had passed, and she didn't think Stuart would be an obstacle anymore. Most importantly, she didn't plan to stay in Hustalia. The best hospital in Celestia Springs had already invited her, and the research institute had reached out too. Considering she had a child and wanted to avoid future encounters with Stuart, Josephine planned to settle in Celestia Springs. Once Claudia's engagement was over, she would leave.
Josephine was still unsure about seeing Andrew. As she pondered, the elevator doors opened. Otis held the door, and Josephine stepped out first.
"I'm fine here," Josephine said. "Now that you're back home, you can visit your family and friends."
Otis had his reasons for going abroad, and Josephine knew his background, always treating him as a friend. Otis just responded with a hum.
When they reached the room, Otis took the room card, entered first, turned on the lights, and checked the surroundings before saying, "Come in."
Josephine was used to his routine. He was very vigilant and professional. She had told him there was no need to do these things, but he didn't listen, so she respected his wishes.
As Josephine entered the room, a door to a nearby room opened. Robin glanced over and saw a somewhat familiar figure before the door closed.
He could hardly believe his eyes and felt an impulse to knock on the door. In the five years that Stuart had given up, he hadn't. He hadn't expected Josephine to disappear completely.
The more unattainable, the more unforgettable. Robin was sure he hadn't seen wrong. He calmed down for a few seconds, then headed straight to the hotel's surveillance room. When he saw that familiar person on the surveillance footage, his breath almost stopped.