Jeffery crashed at Haustia Manor for a couple of days, and Andrew was all over him. Naturally, that made Stuart even more of a pain in the neck.
"Jeffery's such a great kid, why didn't you bring him around sooner? And Josephine, you lost her too!" So yeah, Stuart got an earful every day.
Stuart had to hit the hospital, where he had to watch Elbert and Carol flaunt their lovey-dovey act. Then he'd come back home, only to get chewed out by Andrew again.
Josephine was swamped with work and couldn't see him. Stuart was feeling pretty down in the dumps.
Luckily, Carol's health got better, and she was ready to leave the hospital. Once she was back at Haustia Manor, Andrew might ease up on Stuart a bit.
But nope, that didn't happen. Carol came back, and Elbert tagged along.
Andrew was thrilled to see Elbert, thinking his daughter-in-law Carol had patched things up with him. And guess what? Stuart became even more of a target.
"Elbert got Carol back, and you? How can you be so dumb! You still haven't won Josephine back!" Stuart got another round of scolding.
He felt pretty wronged. Honestly, it was partly thanks to him that Elbert managed to win Carol back. But did anyone give him credit? Nope. Not even a mention. It was just something he was supposed to do.
But Andrew shouldn't be on his case. He was stressed too. Didn't he want Josephine back just as much?
Stuart was feeling bitter, but no one cared about his complaints. He could only hope Josephine would wrap up her work soon.
After Carol got discharged and returned to Haustia Manor, Stuart greeted Andrew and then saw Jeffery.
At the hospital, Stuart had mentioned Jeffery to Carol.
Carol, who had been cold and distant for years, didn't care much about him and naturally didn't scold him now. But Elbert did.
Elbert felt guilty for being framed for infidelity and thought he owed Carol for life, but Stuart had only himself to blame!
Losing Josephine was a huge blow, and now he couldn't even acknowledge Jeffery!
But not being able to acknowledge Jeffery didn't mean they didn't like him. Stuart was floored by how they treated Jeffery. Both were usually buried in their academic work and seemed indifferent to Stuart, partly because of their own feelings and partly because they weren't really into kids. But they absolutely adored Jeffery!
Carol, like she'd never seen a kid before, held Jeffery close and wouldn't let go. Elbert stood by, gently reminding her to take it easy and not wear herself out.
In the end, Elbert held Jeffery while Carol chatted with them. They looked like a perfect little family! Stuart felt like the odd one out!
Before, he got scolded at home and watched the sweet couple at the hospital. Now, he got both at home.
Carol was reserved, but Elbert didn't care. Carol had just been hurt, and Elbert was super cautious, scared something might happen to her again.
Stuart found Elbert's behavior kind of ridiculous. But he decided he would treat Josephine just as kindly in the future. With that mindset, Elbert's behavior seemed more acceptable.
One night, he went downstairs to grab some water and saw Elbert pitifully guarding Carol's bedroom door with a pillow.
When Stuart saw him, Elbert looked over too.In that awkward moment, both father and son felt pretty uncomfortable.
Stuart pretended not to notice. "Just getting some water."
Elbert, clearly embarrassed and annoyed, snapped, "What water! It's the middle of the night, why are you wandering around?"
Was it wrong to get some water? Stuart felt a bit wronged.
Carol opened the door. "What's going on? Why are you still here?"
Seeing her, Elbert's tone softened immediately, smiling, "Nothing, did I wake you?"
Carol frowned. "Why are you holding a pillow?"
Elbert stammered, "I, uh, accidentally spilled water on the bed."
Stuart almost burst out laughing.
Elbert heard him and, embarrassed, angrily said to Stuart, "Why are you still here? What are you doing?"
Carol interjected, "Why are you yelling at him? Is the bed wet?"
Elbert quickly said, "Yes, it's too wet to sleep on!"
After speaking, he looked at Carol.
Stuart struggled to hold back his laughter, but he really hoped his parents could patch things up soon. But right now, it seemed Elbert wasn't quite ready to share Carol's bed.
Thinking about it, Stuart realized he wasn't much better off. At least Elbert was under the same roof as Carol, while he had to ask Josephine for permission just to get a kiss. Not even as good as Elbert!
Sigh, father and son were really in the same boat.
"Stuart," Carol suddenly called him.
Stuart immediately turned, "Mom?"
"Didn't you prepare a guest room?" Carol said, "Let your dad sleep there."
Stuart had hoped Josephine and Jeffery would move in, but he knew Josephine wouldn't sleep with him, so he prepared a separate room for himself.
Elbert glared at him fiercely, as if he would pounce and bite if Stuart said anything wrong.
Stuart helplessly said, "Mom, that room is for Josephine. It's not ideal for Dad to sleep there."
Elbert finally let him off the hook and looked at Carol. "Carol, can I sleep on the sofa in your room?"
Carol said, "There are so many sofas in the house, the one downstairs is bigger."
Elbert glared at Stuart. "Why aren't you going downstairs?"
Stuart had to go downstairs. Unable to catch the conversation upstairs, he was unsure if Carol had consented to Elbert's plea.
Returning upstairs, Stuart found the hallway deserted. Uncertain if Elbert had been dismissed or was indeed resting on the sofa, he hesitated at his room's threshold. Suddenly, a thud echoed from Carol's room.
He was startled and quickly knocked on the door. "Mom! Are you okay?"
After a while, the door opened.
Elbert glared at him angrily. "What's it to you? Go to sleep!" Then he slammed the door shut.
Stuart was silent. So, Elbert had successfully entered Carol's bedroom! In that case, he was the only lonely one?
Stuart returned to his room, even more unable to sleep. He took out his phone and messaged Josephine: [Josephine, when will you be done?]
Stuart: [I miss you.]
Stuart: [I want to have dinner with you.]
Stuart: [Jeffery is doing well, don't worry.]
Stuart: [My mom is home too.]
He knew Josephine wouldn't check her phone when busy. So he sent many messages, not expecting a reply.
But suddenly, his phone beeped, and to his surprise, Josephine replied!
Josephine: [I'll come see Jeffery and Carol tomorrow.]
Stuart wanted to call her but held back. Stuart: [Tomorrow morning? How about I pick you up?]
Josephine replied: [I'll go by myself, not sure what time.]