Josie stood still, momentarily stunned. After a while, she nodded and rose to her feet, calling for Moses to come in. “He’s drunk,” she said, “Help him inside to rest.”
Moses hurriedly entered, only to be met with Dexter’s gaze. For a moment, he was torn between advancing and retreating. Meanwhile, Josie had already returned to her room, or more accurately, Dexter’s room, where she had been temporarily residing for the past few days.
Moses was at a loss. “Should I… not have come in?”
Dexter merely closed his eyes, worn out from exhaustion.
Once the design blueprint was completed, Josie, as the lead designer, naturally had to present it to Arnold for review. It wasn’t just him, but also the leader in charge of this project, so she arranged a banquet at a high- end restaurant.
Before Josie left, she specifically instructed Moses to prepare a wheelchair for her. She sat in it to give it a try and found that it was fully automatic, which was quite impressive.
Grape sat in Dexter’s lap and asked, “Mommy, is this your new toy?”
Josie’s lips twitched. She saw Dexter leaning against the door. His expression was ambiguous, a mix of amusement and indifference. The desolation he had shown that day was gone, replaced by his usual calm demeanor.
“Expecting Arnold to have a conscience is like hoping to pluck stars from the sky,” he mocked, showing no courtesy at all.
Josie adjusted her wheelchair. “I’m just going through the motions. Who knows, he might still have lingering feelings for me. You can never be too sure.”
There was a hidden meaning in her words. She had said them intentionally. The atmosphere of that day had awakened her. She could no longer afford to be ambiguous with Dexter. Things were different now, and they couldn’t get back together.
Dexter caught on. His expression didn’t change as he said, “Then, I wish you good luck.”
Josie curved her lips into a smile. “Thanks.”
Their conversation sent chills down the spines of those around them.
“I won’t be able to see you off tomorrow. I have official matters to attend to.”
Josie was unbothered, “I was going to go by myself. I don’t need a ride.”
Dexter left, cradling Grape in his arms.
The servant couldn’t bear to listen any longer. She said cautiously, “Mrs. Russell, isn’t it too hurtful to talk to Mr. Russell like that?”
“I’ve said it before, don’t call me ‘Mrs. Russell. I’ve been divorced from him for a long time now. I don’t belong to anyone; I am my own person. Stop making up beautiful dreams for him.”
The servant felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly apologized.
The man walked further and further into the distance, never looking back. Josie cast a glance, forcibly suppressing what she thought was a surge of sympathy.
The next morning, when Josie woke up, Dexter was already not at home. Justin was taking care of Paul. “He just left a short while ago.”
Josie pursed her lips. “I don’t want to know.”
Justin wore a face of disbelief.
She tidied up a bit, allowing her exhaustion to show. Before she left, Grape was still asleep. She instructed Justin, “Feed her milk every three hours. Remember to remind her to use the bathroom. The nanny will prepare her solid food. If you can’t handle it, call me.”
With a face full of confidence, Justin said, “I’ve been with the little girl for so many days now, I’m sure I can handle it.”
After some thought, Josie agreed. After all, there were always servants available to help if needed.
She relaxed and bent down to speak to Paul. “Dad, I’m leaving.”
Paul responded a beat late. “Hmm? Who are you calling?”
Josie took a deep breath and went out in the wheelchair.
Justin was right. Dexter had just left not long ago. As two cars brushed past each other around the corner, Josie instructed Moses to step on the accelerator.
“Mr. Russell, you clearly don’t have any official business today.” Larry in the passenger seat couldn’t understand.
