The Charming Ex-Wife (Lysander and Josiah) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Stored Resentment
Lysanne was taken aback for a moment but quickly redirected the conversation, "I've been friends with Josiah for over twenty years. Everyone knows that we're just good buddies! Must you think of people's relationships in such a negative way, Dr. Thorne? If that's the case, everyone might as well only have same-gendered friends since one will get misunderstood if befriending the opposite sex."

However, Lysander immediately responded, "Of course, opposite-sex friends are allowed, but men and women are different. Both you and Josiah are married, respectively, so you should still be cautious."

Lysanne chuckled. "I didn't expect you, a medical professional, to be so narrow-minded. During the surgery last week, a male doctor entered the operating room. I expressed my concerns, but what did you say to me? You said, 'All doctors are professionals.'"

"That male doctor was an anesthesiologist."

"So what? I'm a woman, he's a man, and it was a gynecological surgery. Shouldn't we consider the gender differences at that time? Aren't you being double standard, Dr. Thorne?"

Lysander took a deep breath, feeling somewhat helpless. "Miss Thorne, you're changing the topic. You were losing a lot of blood at that time, and it was late at night. The only anesthesiologist on duty that day was a male doctor. If we didn't proceed with the surgery immediately, your child might not have survived! What's more important? The child's life or concerns about gender?"

Lysanne crossed her arms, looking disdainful. "In any case, you're a doctor, so your decision prevails. Who knows what the situation was with my child at that time."

Having her professional skills questioned, Lysander finally lost her temper. "Miss Thorne, what are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything. I just want to ask. If you could be called in from home to perform surgery on me, then why couldn't they get a female anesthetist?"

"You..."

"Since male anesthetists can enter my operating room, what's the issue with me taking the keys from Josiah's pocket?"

"Enough!" Josiah stood up unsteadily, swaying for a moment before regaining his balance.

Frowning and reeking of alcohol, he took out the keys from his pocket and placed them in Lysander's hand while soothing her, "Lysanne is pregnant. It's understandable for her to be emotional. Let's not argue with her."

Lysander held the keys and looked up at him. "Are you two truly friends?"

Josiah's breathing became heavy, with his chest rising and falling several times before nodding. "Yes."

Lysander gazed deeply into his eyes as if trying to peer into his soul. After a moment, Josiah was the first to look away. "It's getting late. Let's head back."

She assisted him to the back seat and fastened his seatbelt before getting in the driver's seat to start the car. Through the rearview mirror, she saw Lysanne also getting into the back seat and gently covering Josiah with his suit jacket. "Aren't you prone to motion sickness, Miss Thorne? Why aren't you sitting in the front?"

However, Lysanne remained composed while fastening her seatbelt effortlessly and stating, "I'm feeling fine today. I don't feel motion sickness."

Lysander sneered and started the car. Upon returning to the Guerra residence, her mother-in-law, Susan McKay, was already asleep. Over the years, Susan had prioritized her health and always retired to bed by nine o'clock at night.

Lysander helped Josiah into the house and headed straight upstairs to their room. But Lysanne followed behind while calling out, "Hey."

Lysander halted and turned to face her.

Then, Lysanne remarked, "Don't you need to take Josiah's jacket? How can you be so neglectful as his wife?"

"Place it on the living room sofa for now. I'll clean up tomorrow."

"But you have an early start at work tomorrow, right? Will you have time to tidy up?"

Lysander pursed her lips and said in a deep voice, "First, tidying up a coat doesn't take long. A few minutes is enough, and it won't delay me going to work. Second, Mom is already asleep. She doesn't sleep well. Are you sure you want to stand there and argue with me loudly?"

Lysanne smiled in surprise. "You may be a doctor, but you have a way with words too."

"Thanks for the compliment, Miss Thorne. But please keep your voice down. Don't disrupt Mom's rest."

Then, Lysanne raised her chin proudly. "Mrs. Guerra dotes on me the most. She won't blame me—"

"Enough, Lysanne!" Josiah interrupted her and sighed heavily. He straightened up against the railing and frowned at her. "You can place that jacket anywhere. It's very late, and you're pregnant. Go rest."