Chapter 242 Never Drank from Your Cup
Chapter 242 Never Drank from Your Cup
Joanna smiled and graciously accepted their compliments. "I really do have to thank Hazel."
Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively. "Everything's already loaded into the cars. You two should get going. Justin, take good care of Joanna."
"I will."
Justin, who had just caught up with them, nodded and walked out side by side with Joanna.
Three cars were parked in the courtyard, each trunk stuffed full of gift boxes.
Before Joanna could even process her shock, Justin had already hurried forward to open the car door. "It's chilly out here. Get in quickly."
The early spring weather was still cold.
These past few days, Justin hadn't disturbed her at night, but during the day he would constantly check on her, asking after her comfort and bringing her food.
Day by day, Joanna had gradually grown accustomed to his attentiveness.
The two of them sat side by side in the back seat.
During the drive, while Justin was taking work calls, he opened a thermos and handed it to Joanna.
Joanna accepted it naturally.
Inside was the snow fungus soup Karen had made, at just the right temperature.
Joanna drank half of it, and when she was about to close the lid, Justin had just finished his call.
"Let me."
Justin took the thermos from her hands and glanced inside.
"What flavor is it?"
"Hmm?" Joanna looked at him in confusion.
Justin had already lifted it to his lips and taken a sip from the rim.
The spot where his lips touched still bore a trace of Joanna's lip gloss.
Joanna unconsciously licked her lower lip.
Justin set down the thermos at that moment, pressed his lips together as if savoring it, and said, "Sweet."
"Didn't you have any this morning?" Joanna looked at him in surprise.
Karen had ladled out a small bowl of the sweet soup for everyone that morning.
Justin calmly screwed the lid back on and looked at Joanna as he spoke. "I haven't had any from your cup before."
His face showed no emotion, his tone was casual, and his gaze was clear, yet intuitively, Joanna felt he was deliberately teasing her.
And Joanna's way of dealing with it was to turn her face away, look out the window, and pretend nothing had happened.
After a long moment, she heard a sigh from beside her.
She simply acted as if she hadn't heard it.
Joanna had notified Samuel and Luna in advance.
They'd prepared early, but when Justin's gifts nearly filled the entire living room, they were still taken aback.
They knew Joanna had moved back to the Lawson residence, and their attitude toward Justin was somewhat warmer than before, though still not quite back to what it once was.
While the housekeeper was cooking, Luna pulled Joanna aside for a private chat, and Justin was called into the study by Samuel, staying for half an hour before emerging.
Joanna didn't know what they'd discussed.
But when Justin came out following Samuel, Samuel's demeanor was noticeably more relaxed.
During the meal, Samuel raised his cup toward Justin, using tea in place of wine. "I'm entrusting Joanna to you for the second time. You two must take good care of each other."
Justin raised his glass with both hands, toasting Samuel and Luna in turn. "Grandfather, Grandmother, please rest assured."
Luna smiled as she served them both food, her eyes reddening. Suddenly she set down her utensils, saying she needed to get something from the kitchen.
Joanna could tell something was wrong with Luna and quietly followed her in, only to find Luna secretly wiping away tears.
"Grandma."
Joanna embraced Luna from behind.
Luna held back her tears, patted the back of Joanna's hand, and said in a trembling voice, "I'm fine. These are happy tears for you."
She gripped Joanna's hand tightly and urged once more, "Joanna, take care of yourself. Never let yourself be wronged."
"I will."
She would.
No matter what happened, she would never let herself be wronged again.
Joanna comforted Luna, and they returned to the table together.
After the meal, Luna wanted Joanna to stay the night.
Considering that she'd just had surgery and was still wearing a wig, worried it might give her away, Joanna declined using work as an excuse.
"Don't worry, we'll visit often."
After Justin spoke, Joanna glanced at him and added, "We'll come back in a couple of days."
She hadn't specifically mentioned Justin.
Joanna was in the habit of taking afternoon naps, and after sitting for a while after the meal, she began to feel drowsy.
Justin checked the time and, using an afternoon meeting as an excuse, suggested they head back.
The two elderly people saw them to the door, and only after their car had driven away did they turn back inside.
In the car, Joanna looked at Justin and asked directly, "Are you really planning to come back with me regularly?"
"Of course."
Justin looked at her in surprise. "Why would you ask that?"
She had wanted to say that she didn't require Justin to accompany her.
But if Justin couldn't follow through, he shouldn't make those kinds of promises.
Because the elderly would remember, and they would be disappointed.
Yet hearing Justin's earnest affirmation, the words Joanna had prepared stuck in her throat, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
"Don't you want me to come back with you?" Justin guessed, the corners of his mouth turning down.
"No." Joanna's answer came hesitantly.
Justin leaned closer to her, emphasizing, "Joanna, I'm your husband."
"I know. I'm not saying you can't come."
Joanna hadn't intended to say more, but seeing Justin persist, she had to explain. "It's just that you never had time before, so I thought it might not be convenient for you."
A flash of obvious surprise crossed Justin's face, and he quickly said, "Before, I thought you didn't want me to come."
"What?"
Now it was Joanna's turn to be confused.
While she'd never actively asked, when had she ever not wanted him to come?
The two stared at each other.
After a long moment, Justin let out a soft sigh.
"Alright, let's not talk about the past anymore. From now on, don't refuse me, okay?"
There was a cautious probing in his tone.
Joanna looked at him and nodded gently. "Okay."
Justin continued, "And if I neglect you in any way or make you unhappy, you have to let me know."
This time, Joanna didn't respond.
Justin spoke again. "Don't be so polite with me. Whether it's throwing a tantrum or yelling at me, just don't ignore me, okay?"
His attitude was devout, as if he were facing his most precious treasure.
Joanna examined him seriously, and examined herself as well.
After a good while, she nodded again. "Okay."
Hearing this, Justin smiled, her face reflected in his eyes.
The two sat quietly, neither speaking again.
Before long, Justin turned his head to find Joanna had fallen asleep leaning against her seat.
He deliberately moved closer, raising his hand to try to let Joanna rest on his shoulder.
Before he could touch her, Joanna's head tilted and came to rest on his shoulder.
"Drive more carefully."
Justin gave the instruction in a low voice.
The driver silently reduced his speed.
The afternoon sunlight was brilliant. Karen was keeping Elizabeth company in the courtyard, basking in the sun.
Seeing Justin carefully carrying Joanna out of the car, Karen hurried forward anxiously.
Just as she was about to ask, she saw Justin shake his head at her, and only then did she realize Joanna had simply fallen asleep.
Karen relaxed, immediately walking ahead to help open doors, escorting them all the way to the bedroom.
Karen pulled back the covers.
Justin gently laid Joanna down and carefully removed her shoes.
Karen then tucked the blanket around her.
"Mom, you can go."
Justin unbuttoned his coat.
Karen nodded with a smile and closed the door behind her as she left.
The curtains were drawn.
Joanna felt she'd slept for a long time.
When she woke, her whole body felt warm.
Suddenly remembering she'd fallen asleep in the car, she opened her eyes abruptly.
In the dim light, Joanna blinked her drowsy eyes and quickly recognized this as her bedroom.
At the same time, inadvertently, she felt the hand resting on her waist.