He finished talking, then glanced down at Josephine and said, "You go back and keep an eye on Jeffery. I'll handle this."
Josephine, not wanting to deal with Stuart at all, headed straight inside after hearing him.
Roy reached out and shut the door, clenching his fists. "What's your deal, always hanging around my girlfriend?"
Stuart gave him a cold stare. "You and her are not a good match."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? I'm younger, more passionate. I won't cheat or hurt her. What makes you think you're a better fit?"
Stuart shot back, "This is between her and me. I don't owe you any explanations."
Roy smirked. "Sounds like I hit a nerve. Guess when people get older, their skin gets thicker too."
Stuart replied, "Don't get cocky. Josephine doesn't even like your type."
"Wrong. Josephine likes me a lot," Roy leaned in, lowering his voice. "And she likes my young body too."
Before he could finish, Stuart threw the food box aside and swung a punch.
Roy, always on alert, dodged it swiftly.
Stuart didn't slow down, and Roy didn't back off either. They started brawling right at the door.
Stuart had just dodged a side kick from Roy and was about to throw a punch when he saw Roy's fist coming at him. He tilted his head, and Roy's fist slammed into the door.
Stuart spun around and kicked, catching Roy off guard. He seized the moment and threw another punch.
"What are you doing!" Josephine's voice suddenly rang out. "Stuart! Stop!"
Stuart's fist was already in motion, and despite Josephine's shout, he didn't stop.
His heart was full of rage and pain; he wanted nothing more than to beat Roy to a pulp!
Just thinking about Roy and Josephine together made Stuart's blood boil.
Josephine watched as Stuart's fist landed hard on Roy's face.
She rushed over and pushed Stuart away.
Holding Roy's arm, she looked worried. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere else?"
Roy leaned weakly against her. "Josephine, he just attacked me out of nowhere! Stuart must have violent tendencies! You should stay away from him!"
"That's nonsense!" Stuart snapped, "If it weren't for you..."
But Stuart couldn't finish his sentence.
Roy's words were clearly meant to provoke.
And Stuart knew he couldn't argue back.
Stuart took a deep breath, seeing Josephine protect Roy, feeling both jealous and hurt.
"Josephine, it's not like that." He looked at her. "He provoked me first, and then I..."
"He's lying!" Roy looked pitifully at Josephine. "Josephine, don't listen to him! He hit me first! No wonder you divorced him; he's not only violent but also a liar!"
Josephine glared at Stuart. "I don't know what happened, but you started it, so you're in the wrong! Apologize!"
Stuart looked at her in disbelief. "What did you say? You want me to apologize to him? Do you know what he said?"
"I don't know what he said. But no matter what, it's not a reason for you to hit him."
Stuart gritted his teeth, his jaw tight. "I won't apologize to him!"
Josephine was about to say something when Roy cut in, "Josephine, forget it. Maybe I said something wrong. I was at fault as well. Don't argue with him, let's just go home."
"But he shouldn't have hit you!" Josephine looked at his already swollen face and sighed. "Does it hurt?"
Roy's eyes welled up with tears. "Yeah, it really hurts."
Stuart clenched his fists tightly.
For some reason, he just found Roy so detestable that he couldn't help but want to hit him again!
"Mr. Haustia," Josephine said, supporting Roy, "I'll say this one last time; I hope you stay out of my life from now on. Since Roy said to let it go this time, I won't pursue it. But if it happens again, I'll call the police!"
With that, Josephine took Roy inside.
They both paused.
Jeffery had woken up at some point and was standing at the door.
It was unclear how much he had heard.
"Jeffery," Josephine quickly said, "go inside."
Jeffery replied, "Mommy, you go in first, I'll close the door."
Josephine had no choice but to help Roy inside. Jeffery walked to the door and looked up at Stuart.
Jeffery was only as tall as Stuart's thigh.
His blue eyes, like the most beautiful ocean, sparkled with a lovely color.
But now, those beautiful eyes were cold.
It was hard to imagine that a four-year-old child could have such a cold gaze.
Stuart felt a strange shiver in his heart.
"Sir," Jeffery's voice was still cute, but his tone was cold. "Please stay away from my mommy in the future."
"Jeffery," Stuart, suppressing the pain in his heart, couldn't help but speak.
But as soon as he called his name, Jeffery interrupted him, "I don't know you, and I don't want to have any interaction with you. Please don't call my name."
The Jeffery in front of Stuart was Roy's son. The child of Josephine and Roy.
Stuart took a deep breath, still unable to suppress the needle-like pain in his heart.
"Jeffery!" Josephine called him from inside.
Jeffery gave Stuart one last cold look, then closed the door without hesitation.
Stuart was locked out.
The food box had long been thrown to the ground, and the food spilled out, smelling delicious.
Andrew had said that Josephine loved cream of mushroom soup.
He had eagerly brought it to her, only to be shut out by her family of three.
A family of three.
The phrase stabbed at Stuart's heart, making him feel so much pain he could hardly stand.
He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and his eyelashes kept trembling.
"Jeffery!" Josephine helped Roy sit down and walked over to pull him inside. "What were you saying to him?"
"Nothing," Jeffery said, "Mommy, how's Roy?"
Roy opened his eyes. "I'm fine, just didn't expect Stuart to be so rough and rude!"
Josephine said, "Roy, I won't have anything to do with him anymore. Actually, I know he wouldn't hit you for no reason. So, you don't have to get yourself hurt like this."
"What are you talking about?" Roy looked up at the sky. "I don't even know what you're saying. Anyway, he hit me, and he's no good."
Josephine said helplessly, "I'll get you some ointment."
Late at night, Jair, who had been called out by Stuart again, was also helpless. "Please don't drink, okay?"
Stuart sat leaning against the sofa, eyes closed. "I'm not drinking. I just want to ask you, do you think I still have a chance?"