Joseph finished speaking and got out of the car without waiting for a response. The door closed, and Harper snapped back to reality. She raised her hand to touch her chest, which was still thumping. She always knew she was at a disadvantage when it came to Joseph. Just seeing him made her heart uncontrollably flutter.
Joseph strode into the nearby pharmacy and went straight to the counter, addressing the pharmacist, "I need some ice-cold mineral water, gauze, oral antibiotics, iodine, and burn cream."
The female pharmacist, whose face turning slightly red, nodded and quickly gathered the items. She handed them to Joseph, stealing a couple of glances at him. Joseph paid for the items with his phone, glancing at her impassively, which caused the pharmacist to swiftly lower her gaze.
When he returned to the car, Harper was leaning forward and her innocent eyes fixed on him. She noticed the plastic bag in his hand, her heart fluttering slightly. Had he just gone to purchase medicine? She thought he didn't care at all.
Joseph looked at Harper, who had delicate doll-like face and flawless skin. She could easily pass for a high school student.
Joseph's Adam's apple was rolling up and down. He cleared his throat and said, "Turn around." He began to unwrap the package with a deadpan face, and his serious voice sounded like he was at work.
Harper pouted, thinking he could be gentler with a patient. She obediently turned around and watched his reflection in the car window. His actions were meticulous and graceful.
Joseph moistened the gauze with icy water. Gently flexing his fingers, he prepared to lift Harper's clothes. With a subconscious glance, he saw her hugging her legs. Her big eyes fixed on him through the window. She looked so innocent and obedient.
'Docile,' Joseph thought to himself, and carefully placed the cold gauze on her wound. She had always been so well-behaved since they got married, so that people thought she had no temper. Or maybe he was just not the kind of person who would provoke her temper.
Harper didn't know what he was thinking. The wet gauze covered her wound, and after a moment of coolness, a tingling sensation began to spread. She bit her lip, enduring the pain.
Joseph lifted his eyelids and saw her trying to suppress the pain, which made him feel a twinge of guilt. Fortunately, there were no blisters. He gently finished the treatment and handed her something, saying, "If it hurts, let me know. You don't have to endure it."
Harper looked at the candy in her hand and her heart warmed. It was her favorite. She immediately unwrapped it and put it in her mouth, her brow relaxing in contentment. "So sweet."
The sweet taste made the pain more bearable. Harper's eyes curved with gratitude. "Thank you. I like having a candy when I'm in pain." Joseph applied the iodine on her waist and leaned back in his seat. His deep gaze fell on her bright face, and he asked in a calm voice, "Are you still waiting for that person?" Harper was taken aback.
That person? It took her a moment to realize who Joseph was referring to, and she nodded, saying, "Yes. I believe he will definitely come back." How could he not come back? It didn't make sense. She had treated him like a brother, relying on him for so many years. They had shared too many moments together, closer than real family. Even if he wanted to start a new life, he should come back and say goodbye.
Joseph's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his expression ambiguous under the flickering of the lights outside, his eyes like deep, dark whirlpools. His voice was deep and emotionless. "We've been married for three years. You should have told me that you were waiting for someone else." Harper looked at him in surprise. "You..."
The sudden sound of a phone ringing interrupted the tense atmosphere. Joseph took out his phone, and the name "Olivia" was flashing on the screen. He answered the call, "Hello." Harper never knew her hearing was so good. Despite the distance, she could hear the voice clearly. Olivia's voice sounded apologetic. "Joseph, am I disturbing you?"
Joseph looked at the girl sitting beside him, who had lowered her head. "No."
"Are you still at the hospital? I suddenly feel unwell. Can you come and help me get some medicine?" Joseph's face changed, and his voice sounded a bit nervous. "What's wrong with you?" He switched the phone to his other hand, fastened his seatbelt, and asked, "Are you still at the restaurant? I'll come back now to pick you up."
Harper lowered her head, her fingers tightly gripping the button on her clothes, feeling a deep sense of discomfort. He was still more concerned about Olivia. Even when she was injured, he didn't show such concern. Harper bit her lip and said nothing. If she got upset because of this, it would seem unreasonable. "If you have something to do, go ahead. I can go back by myself."
Harper forced a smile, opened the car door, and got out. Behind her, Joseph grabbed her arm and handed her the bag. He just looked at her deeply and said, "Take the medicine. Be careful on your way." Harper closed the car door and watched the BMW drive away, feeling her heart break. 'It's nothing,' She comforted herself.
It was just because he didn't love her, so he didn't care at all. It was just because he loved Olivia, so anything related to her could cause a commotion. This was just human nature. As if to make her feel even more miserable, it suddenly started to rain, and it seemed like the rain wouldn't stop until the city was flooded.
Harper ran in the heavy rain, the water streaming into her mouth, tasting salty. She couldn't help but think of that year. She was young and full of enthusiasm, and she fell in love with Joseph. She took a leave of absence and made a cake with a heart drawn on it. She went to his school, where the playground was crowded with people, and the constant teasing could be heard.
Harper chuckled. Could it be that someone was confessing? She could learn some experience. Thinking like this, she ran over, pushed through the crowd, and was stunned. In the center, the male protagonist of the confession, wasn't he her beloved Joseph? He was wearing a white shirt, and his black pants accentuated his long legs. His face was cool and expressionless.
The girl standing next to him was shy and timid, her tall figure exuding elegance. She looked at him with a smile, her eyes full of affection. Finally, amidst the cheers of "be together", Joseph took out his hand from his pocket and slowly held Olivia's hand. Harper heard him say, "So let's start dating from today."
Then, he and his new girlfriend walked past her, without even a glance at her. Their friends were still laughing and joking, eager to give them all the blessings they could think of. Only Harper stood there, not knowing whether to cry or laugh, her heart filled with a mix of emotions. The cake in her hand fell to the ground, shattering along with her teenage dreams.
At that time, she secretly thought, how lucky the person marrying him would be! Today, she was still the one left behind by him. The raindrops fell on her, causing a stinging sensation. Harper hugged her arms and slowed down her pace, feeling exhausted. This marriage was too tiring. Perhaps it was time to put an end to it.