Josephine thought, "If you want to leave, just go. Are you trying to threaten me?"
She didn't want to say a word to Stuart or even look at him.
As she was about to leave, Stuart grabbed her again.
Josephine was already mad about him stalking her.
She shook him off. "Stuart, stop it. We're done. If you keep this up, I'll lose all respect for you!"
Stuart felt a pang of sadness but knew it was his fault.
He thought, "If I feel this bad now, how did Josephine feel before? I said even worse things!"
Feeling heartache, Stuart realized words were useless now. "Josephine, give me one more chance. I'll show you I'm sincere. I won't mess up again."
Josephine shook her head. "No more chances, Stuart. How many times do I have to say it? It's not that I don't want to give you a chance; I just don't have feelings for you anymore."
Stuart wanted to speak, but Josephine cut him off. "What you're doing now just disgusts me. Go back and do your thing. Stop following me."
"Josephine!" Stuart called out, not daring to touch her again.
Josephine kept walking.
Stuart didn't chase her. "Even death row inmates get a chance to repent. Give me one more chance to prove myself."
Josephine turned back. "Don't sound so pathetic. Mr. Haustia, what have you lost? I was forced to leave Hustalia, and even now I'm being stalked. You're still the same—stubborn, domineering, and arrogant. Show some mercy and let me go."
Stuart felt even more heartbroken.
"Josephine, I'm doing this because I like you. I can't forget you."
"But I don't like you anymore. Your so-called feelings are just a burden to me. What you're doing is useless. Don't waste your time."
"Josephine, tell me what you don't like, and I'll change! Just give me a chance."
Josephine decided to end it. "You'll do anything? Then stay away from me. Did you hear that?"
"You know I like you. How can I do that?"
"If you can't, then why say it? Stuart, if you like someone, you should at least respect her."
"I respect you. Can you please have pity on me? Without you, I don't know what to do."
"You've been fine for the past five years without me. Mr. Haustia, we're adults. Why say things even kids wouldn't believe?"
"No matter what you say, I won't give up," Stuart said. "No matter how many years it takes, I'll show you my sincerity!"
This time, Stuart left first.
But Josephine didn't feel relieved. She thought Stuart would have moved on after five years, but he was even more persistent now, which wasn't what she wanted.
Josephine didn't buy that Stuart was sentimental at all.
She felt their messy divorce had humiliated Stuart. For a guy, that was a big blow.
Men were all the same. The more they couldn't have something, the more they wanted it.
"Exactly!" Laura said, admiring her new nails. "Men are just like that!"
She turned to Claudia. "I think you're too nice to David; that's why he's acting out!"
Josephine and Claudia were in Celestia Springs, and Laura had joined them.
Seeing Claudia a bit down, Josephine quickly said, "Forget it.. We're all together again. Let's go eat something good tonight."
Laura agreed. "Yeah, and we need to finish what we started last time."
Josephine was puzzled. "What thing?"
Claudia blinked her big eyes, curious.
Laura felt a bit guilty, like she was leading them astray. But thinking about how deceitful people can be, she figured they needed to see more of it to avoid getting tricked by bad men again.
"Last time I took Josephine to relax, but Stuart ruined it," Laura said. "Tonight, I'll take you both out for fun again!"
Claudia was clueless, but Josephine refused first. "No, Laura, I really don't like that kind of place."
Laura teased, "You're just being silly! If men can party, why can't we? It's just a service you pay for, like shopping. What's there to be afraid of?"
Claudia asked, "What kind of service?"
Laura shrugged. "Just some guys to drink and chat with us. Look how scared Josephine is!"
Claudia blinked. "I want to see."
Laura grinned. "That's the spirit. Josephine, majority rules, let's go!"
Josephine sighed. "Remember who got carried away last time?"
"You mean Steven?" Laura scoffed. "Last time was a fluke! Besides, this is Celestia Springs; Steven has no say here!"
Josephine couldn't resist Laura and Claudia, so she got dragged along.
The club was fancier than the bar in Hustalia.
Laura, familiar with the place, took them to a private room.
The guys they ordered hadn't arrived yet. Laura said, "Relax, we're here to have fun. Don't let them take advantage of us! Feel free to touch. Josephine, I got a guy with a great body just for you."
Josephine blushed. "Stop it!"
"Touching won't hurt," Laura said. "This place isn't as bad as you think. Once you leave, if you want to do more, that's your call. No one cares."
Josephine covered her mouth. "I don't want to. Stop talking!"
Laura glared. "You're not still trying to stay pure for Stuart, are you?"
Josephine shot back, "Of course not!"
Laura replied, "Then enjoy yourself. Life's short, have fun while you can!"
As they were talking, the door opened. The guys Laura ordered walked in one by one.
Laura whispered to Josephine, "The first one's for you. Check out that body! The second one's a gentleman. Claudia will love him."
The three of them looked over and were stunned by what they saw.