Lysander quickly scooped the cat into her arms, picking up the tangled ball of yarn in the process. She then tossed it all into the trash bin.
harm.”
“In the future, you shouldn’t buy such toys for pets that can easily cause It
Josiah nodded emphatically. “He didn’t think things through.”
Lysander glanced at him. It was quite clear who the “he” that Josiah was referring to.
However, Josiah suddenly felt that something was amiss.
“It’s hard to say. He might have done it on purpose. The balls that puppies usually play with are typically made of rubber. Who would buy a yarn ball for a dog?”
Lysander remained silent.
Uncertain about Lysander’s stance, Josiah timidly asked, “Are you really okay?”
The fall Lysander had just taken was indeed quite, sudden. Her face had landed directly onto his chest, and he could still feel a faint ache there. Lysander was likely in more pain than he was from the fall.
With these thoughts, he rose to his feet and took two strides toward her to grip her arm. “Let me see your face.”
Lysander turned her face sideways. “I’m fine.”
Josiah gently grasped her chin, turning her face back toward him. He studied her features closely for at moment, his furrowed brow easing slightly. “You look fine. There’s no swelling.”
Lysander fell silent for a moment.
“I’m not swollen either.”
Lysander looked up. “I just took a fall. Of course, I’m not swell.”
Josiah was still studying her profile, oblivious to what she was implying: “What?” Swell….
Suddenly, he realized what she meant. He had the slight urge to retort but was mostly taken aback. Het gently chided, “Your pun joke is dry.”
Lysander gently pushed his hand away, softly inquiring, “Tell me honestly. How did you get this wound?”
Josiah knew he couldn’t hide the truth from her. He took a deep breath and confessed in a low voice, “Actually, I wasn’t entirely lying to you. I forgot about the wound on my head when I was taking a shower and ended up getting it wet. I only realized when it started hurting.”
Lysander glanced at the area she had just bandaged. “You’re telling me it started bleeding after getting
wet?”
I was afraid my wounds weren’t severe enough for you to open the door.”
Lysander was rendered speechless.
Finished
“I wasn’t planning on doing anything in particular. I just wanted to come and see you. We’ve been inseparable lately, from the time we spent in Apex City to our stay at the resort. We’ve been together more now than we were when we first got married. It
Seems like I’ve gotten used to having you by my side. When I’m alone in our room, it feels empty and distressing. I just wanted to be with you, even if we don’t talk. You can do your thing, and I do mine. That’s perfectly fine by me.”
After hearing that, Lysander fell silent for a brief moment.
Josiah explained further, “I know it was wrong to deceive you. I apologize.”
Lysander was at a loss.
Regardless of everything, Josiah had helped her a lot, both overtly and covertly. If she were to lose her temper at that moment, her reaction would resemble someone burning the bridges.
“Josiah.”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“Ever since I planned to take over Thorne Constructions and Energies, you’ve been by my side, assisting me. I’m deeply aware of this favor.”
Josiah gave a hum of affirmation. “I have no intention of exploiting gratitude for personal gain. Just like I said before, I won’t pressure you anymore. Our relationship can remain as is. You can still use me as you please. All I want is for you not to be so resistant toward me.”
Having dealt with him for quite some time, Lysander was honestly getting a bit weary. She calmly lifted the collar of her nightgown, but her arm was still held firmly in his grasp. “Let go of me first. I need to get something.”
Cautiously, Josiah asked her, “What is it? Let me help you.”
Lysander glanced toward the coffee table. “My phone.”
Josiah’s hand was still wrapped around her waist. Leaning forward, be stretched his other arm to retrieve her phone for her and said, “Here you go.”
Lysander took the phone and said helplessly, “I haven’t finished going through the documents. You-
“I won’t bother you. You can just pretend I’m not here.”
“So, you’re just going to sit there? Aren’t you going to feel bored?”
Out of Lysander’s sight, Josiah curved his lips into a smile and asked, “You make a good point. Can I watch. the television, then? I’ll put it on mute.”
Lysander was engrossed in her phone, searching for information. Hearing that, she simply replied, “Do as you please.”
The remote control was placed on one side of the couch.
Josiah didn’t consider himself an outsider at all. He turned on the television, deftly switching it to the sports channel. Mindful not to disturb Lysander, he thoughtfully lowered the volume to a non–intrusive
level.
He was so considerate that Lysander couldn’t even nitpick at him.
Finished
Lysander opened the file, her eyes scanning the dense sea of numbers in the report. She felt a headache coming on, and for the moment, she became oblivious to Josiah’s presence beside her.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Lysander glanced up to find that the first half of the game had ended, and commercials were now playing on the television.
She looked up at the right moment and asked, “When are you going back? It’s getting late. I’m planning on resting soon.”
The Ragdoll kitten on the couch had already had a nap.
Josiah pondered before replying. “There’s still the second half to go. Watching only half of the match feels
weird.”
“Don’t you have a television at home?”
“I do, but I haven’t watched it since I bought it. It hasn’t even been set up yet. By the time I get it up and running, the match will be over.”
Lysander asked, “When will the match finish?”
“Assuming nothing unexpected happens, it should end around ten o’clock,” said Josiah, glancing at his
Seeing that it wasn’t even half past nine, he assured in a rather genteel manner, “Don’t worry.
I’ll be leaving shortly.”
Since Josiah had made it clear what time he would leave, urging him further would appear excessively harsh on Lysander’s side.
She got to her feet and said, “I’m going to the restroom.”
H
The space next to Josiah was suddenly vacated, and the rate harmonious moment they shared abruptly
ended.
Once Josiah confirmed that Lysander had entered the restroom, he lifted his gaze and set it on the wall clock.
S