Josephine couldn't help but step back, avoiding his gaze. "You'll have to figure it out when the time comes."
Stuart, however, wasn't about to let her off the hook. "Alright! Then let me show you if there's anything wrong with my body."
"What are you doing?" Josephine looked at him, her anger evident. "Either sleep on the couch or be honest with Cliff, but don't touch me."
During their last cold war, they also came to the Haustia Manor.
Josephine had let him sleep on the couch, but he complained that it was wet.
This time, Josephine took a look herself, and the couch was fine.
She said, "I can sleep on the couch, too; just stay away from me."
Stuart took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing his anger. "Have you forgotten your duties as a wife? You don't let me pursue others, and now you want to sleep separately. Do you really think I have no needs?"
"You can pursue anyone."
Stuart was taken aback. "What?"
"You can pursue anyone," Josephine said. "Who you choose to be with is none of my concern. Stuart, you're free now; I don't care about you anymore; are you satisfied?"
"Josephine!"
Josephine turned around, not wanting to engage with him.
Stuart wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. "Say that again?"
Josephine looked at the face that had once captivated her.
She thought to herself, 'No, I can't look.'
If she did, she would surely soften.
While cursing herself for being weak, she averted her gaze. "Stuart, I'm really tired. Can you let me go?"
"So, you're letting me pursue others, Josephine? You're quite something."
"Don't you think this is abnormal? But who forced this abnormality? If it weren't for Liam, you might have already been with Doris," Josephine retorted.
"Shut up!" Stuart was particularly angry at her words. "I've said it; I'll do everything I promised you; I didn't do anything with her."
"Yeah, you couldn't bear to."
Hearing her indifferent tone, Stuart became even angrier. "What's wrong? You don't want to be with me because I can't satisfy your desires or because you're thinking about Liam?"
"Stuart, don't twist the truth!" Josephine was also angry. " Don’t you think everyone is like you because you have an ambiguous relationship with Doris."
"I have an ambiguous relationship with Doris? At least now I only have Doris, what about you? Liam, William, and many doctors at the hospital are all admiring you."
"Stuart!"
"What's wrong? I hit the nail on the head, and now you're angry?" Stuart held her chin. "You said not to impose things on you that you don't want to do. Josephine, our private lives are all messed up; you're no better than me."
He exerted too much force, and Josephine exclaimed, "Ouch!"
Stuart instinctively loosened his grip, and when he looked down, his fingerprints were already imprinted on her skin.
Her skin was sensitive, and every time they made love, he could easily leave marks on her.
Stuart admitted that it was intentional. He liked to leave hickeys on her body, not only enjoying the feeling but also subconsciously asserting his dominance.
He didn't really like Josephine; it was just his possessiveness at play.
Now, whenever Stuart thought about Josephine being with other men in the future and other men leaving their marks on her, he would become especially angry.
He let go of her chin but directly picked her up and pressed her on the bed. "Josephine, I'll say it again: I won't have a relationship with anyone else. Don't let me find out that you have an abnormal relationship with others. Otherwise, I won't let you go, and I'll teach him a lesson."
Josephine kicked him. "Get lost!"
Stuart caught her ankle. "Josephine, my patience is limited."
Of course, Josephine knew that all his patience was given to others.
And the patience left for her was naturally limited.
"Are you still a gentleman? How can you force me just because you're stronger?"
"You've already said that." Stuart easily subdued her. "This is a way to spice up our marriage; what do you think?"
Josephine was going crazy. "Stuart, you weren't like this before."
Their sex life used to be frequent, and Stuart was enthusiastic, but he never disregarded Josephine's wishes.
"You weren't like this either." Stuart's hand roamed her body. "You were so obedient."
"No way!" Josephine resisted fiercely, her eyes sharp. "Do you believe I'll call Grandpa here?"
"Up to you." Stuart's tone turned dark. "If you want to make Grandpa sad, go ahead."
"Stuart, Grandpa is your family."
"Yeah, I know." Stuart pinched her skin, feeling her body tremble. "That's why I know you won't call him."
Josephine endured the change in her body, trying to ignore his wandering hands. "Stuart..."
"Enough talking. Let's do something else." Stuart leaned in for a kiss but sensed something amiss.
Josephine closed her eyes, then bit down hard.
Stuart winced, tasting blood in his mouth.
He didn't stop, using his tongue to transfer the blood from his wound to Josephine's mouth.
She struggled, but Stuart overpowered her, rendering her motionless.
Stuart kissed her lips, chuckling. "Stop struggling; your body clearly wants this."
Josephine felt like she was going insane. Every time she tried to move; Stuart pushed her back down.
She couldn't help but moan softly, feeling her lack of control.
Josephine gave up struggling, closing her eyes and looking defeated.
"Don't be angry," Stuart's voice sounded in her ear.
Josephine opened her eyes to see him.
Stuart gently touched her cheek. "It's my fault. I let my guard down. But I won't be with anyone else, trust me."
His tone was uneasy.
He had never explained himself to anyone, nor did he need to.
He made the same promise a second time.
But for Cliff's sake, Stuart decided to give her another chance.
"So, don't say those angry words again," Stuart's waist moved. "Got it?"
Josephine didn't expect him to give in.
This was the always proud Stuart.
He used to be cold and noble in front of her.
But today, he actually yielded to her.
Not getting a response from Josephine, Stuart touched her again. "Say something."
Josephine wanted to glare at him, but at this moment, she had no intimidation.
Her cheeks were red, her eyes moist, looking like she was acting coquettish.
Stuart's heart softened, and he kissed her lips. "Don't hold back, let it out."