"Mr. Gibson, Ms. Yates is too weak and can't be triggered. She has a history of post-traumatic stress disorder, so try not to agitate her." The Gibsons' family doctor used to take care of John and was familiar with Josie's condition.
On the other hand, all Henry knew was that Josie often fell ill after returning to the Gibson family when she was 15. Moreover, she was very withdrawn and never rode the Gibson family's car. She always went to school on foot or took a bus.
After getting married, he got used to Josie's personality. She did not want to take private cars, and he would not question her.
Henry had taken over Gibson Corporation. For the past three years, he became so preoccupied with managing the company that he did not have time to care for Josie.
Henry quietly looked at Josie, who was in a deep slumber, as he sat by her bed.
Over the years, he had never looked at her face carefully.
"Please be good." Henry frowned.
Josie slowly opened her eyes when she heard the sounds of water running in the bathroom.
Henry's phone kept vibrating, and the screen showed that the call was from Ash.
"It's Ashley..." thought Josie.
With a bitter smile, Josie picked up Henry's phone.
Henry saved Josie's name in his contact list as Josie Yates but kept Ashley's as Ash.
As expected, it was clear at a glance whom he loved.
"Henry, where are you? I think I had too much to drink. Can I go to your place..." asked Ashley.
Josie answered the phone. She knew doing so was taboo to Henry, but she still did it anyway.
What else did she have left to fear?
She had already compromised.
"Henry... I'm so upset," cried Ashley.
Josie could tell that Ashley was drunk based on her voice.
"Is she coming to meet Henry at home?" she mused.
Josie scoffed and hung up the phone. Her fingers were trembling.
Suddenly, she felt as if she was lying on pins and needles. She couldn't help wondering if Ashley had slept there when she was not home.
"A bed in which three people have slept. How dirty," Josie thought.
Josie then lost control of her emotions and grabbed a pair of scissors. She tore the bedsheet into shreds. She felt like a lunatic who had lost her mind.
Tears streamed down her face as Josie slowly slid onto the ground.
Josie had never been good at expressing her emotions.
Just then, the bathroom door was pushed open. Henry had a bath towel wrapped around him and stepped out of the bathroom while drying his hair.
Henry's expression dimmed when he noticed the mess on the ground. "Jo..."
Still holding the torn bedsheet in her hand, Josie smiled weakly at the man. "Ashley called you. She was drunk and asked you to pick her up."
Henry was stunned for a moment, and a frown crossed his face as he reached for his phone.
It hurt his heart to see Josie in that state, but she also touched his phone, which was a taboo of his. "Did you answer the phone call on my behalf?"
Josie lowered her gaze. The scissors had cut her fingers, and blood was still trickling down her fingertips.
At that moment, Henry received a call from Ashley's manager. "Mr. Gibson, we can't find Ashley. She drank too much and claimed she was going to the restroom, but she disappeared. She still has injuries on her leg..."
Josie listened quietly and watched Henry dress quickly before leaving.
The feeling of despair never hit her in a single moment, but the feeling of giving up did.
Josie curled up in a corner, afraid to close her eyes.
After an unknown period of time, the door was opened.
Josie walked out and was instantly met by the sight of Henry carrying Ashley into their home.
"Henry..." Ashley probably drank past her limit based on how flushed her nose was.
Some people were pretty and enchanting even when they were drunk.
"Jo, Ashley is drunk. Can you let her sleep here tonight?" Henry was requesting Josie's consent.
He thought Josie would agree.
Josie took a deep breath.
"It's not that Henry's a heartless man. He just doesn't love me," she thought.
"I'll sleep in the guest room," she stated. Nevertheless, Josie couldn't help but feel ridiculous. She was generous enough to let her husband take care of another woman.
She figured they were bound to get divorced later, so she did not need to separate two people who were obviously in love with one another.
Just then, Henry grabbed Josie's wrist and frowned. "Jo! Are you angry?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ex-Husband's Endless Pestering (Josie and Henry)