His eyes were dark and sharp, like a blade. “You’ve done things like this more than a few times.” Josie was speechless. What she did on the day of Heather’s art exhibition was indeed unexpected.
“I’m not that petty. Marry whoever you want. What does it matter to me?” Her voice was soft, filled with discontent.
Upon hearing this, Dexter felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. In the past, she would have definitely made a big fuss about it, but now it seemed like she cared less and less.
“Then stay here.”
Josie frowned. “Does that mean once the fifteenth is over, you’ll let me go, and I can go wherever I want?”
A hint of subtle panic flashed in Dexter’s eyes, but it quickly vanished. “Yes.”
“What about going abroad?”
“Don’t you dare!” he blurted out. Josie laughed. She approached again, kneeling on the sofa, leaning in close to him. “Why did you panic?”
Dexter turned away from her.
“Actually, you might be a little reluctant to let me go, right?” Josie teased, cradling his cheek in her palm. “But you’re getting married. Are you going to keep me as your mistress in the future, Mr. Russell? I won’t agree.”
For some reason, Josie always felt that, despite Dexter’s seemingly ruthless demeanor, there was a bit of tenderness deep down for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked his life to save her last night.
“Grandpa gave you assets, right?” he suddenly asked. Josie responded with a hum. “With those resources in your hands, I naturally can’t let you leave the country.”
It was an explanation, ruthless and cold. The slight hope in Josie’s heart vanished. Her eyes stung. “So, I misunderstood.”
Her sudden self-deprecating expression made a part of Dexter’s heart sink. He furrowed his brow and instinctively reached out for her, but Josie had turned around. He only managed to grab a strand of her hair.
“So I’m just staying here, right? Sure, as an ex- wife, it’s only right to help out my ex-husband.” Josie smiled, her tone playful. “But I have one condition.”
Caught off guard by her smile, Dexter remained silent. “What condition?”
“I still need to draw. Ask Moses to deliver my computer from my place.”
It was a simple condition that wouldn’t require much effort to fulfill. However, Dexter squinted. “There are computers here at Mason Garden.”
“It’s different. I only use my own.”
Dexter signaled for Moses to come in. Josie emphasized, “It’s black, the one I just bought. Be careful not to break it when you bring it over.”
Moses immediately agreed. “Ms. Jo, don’t worry.”
With everything settled, Josie sat in a corner, lost in thought. Dexter couldn’t bear to see her so negative. He walked past her and said, “Mallory is in the hospital. You can go see her tomorrow.”
Josie raised an eyebrow, reacting to this news. That made her miss the tenderness in Dexter’s tone. By the time she looked up again, he had already gone upstairs, entering the guest room to rest.
The next day, Moses personally drove Josie to the hospital. The smell of disinfectant was strong. Moses followed closely, looking very vigilant.
Mallory was in a VIP ward. When Josie arrived, there was someone inside. A man sat by the hospital bed, his back familiar. He was peeling an apple as he spoke slowly. “Mal, I treated you well.”
Josie stood still, not rushing to push the door open. Mallory said, “Yes. Not many women in the club end up well. You’ve given me status and identity, which is wonderful.”
He nodded. Popping a piece of apple into his mouth, he swallowed it before saying, “Then why did you betray me?”
