"Thanks for your effort." Lewis hurled the towel away effortlessly.
That didn't sound like a compliment, but Josephine couldn't distinguish his tone—she thought he really was praising her.
She flashed him a grin and shook her head. "It's nothing. You woke up just because I was wiping your face. How amazing is that?"
Lewis' lips moved, but it was only after some time before he hummed in agreement and said, "It is pretty amazing."
In truth, he woke up because he had difficulty breathing, but, in some sense, it was remarkable she could arouse him.
Josephine's grin grew wider. She sat beside Lewis and clutched his arm with both hands. "You must get better faster, okay? You still need to take me home."
Lewis turned his head to the other side and closed his eyes, dismissing her statement.
Josephine got up and went to his left side, saying, "Why aren't you speaking? Have you decided not to take me home?"
Lewis turned his head again. Josephine relentlessly returned to the other side.
Veins bulged on Lewis' forehead.
Josephine noticed he was getting mad and looked at him, confused. "What's got into you?"
"Can you please be a bit quieter?"
Josephine blinked. Instead of keeping her mouth shut, she pressed on, asking, "So, will you bring me home?"
Lewis sighed and closed his eyes helplessly.
His silence triggered an anxious response from Josephine. "Why aren't you speaking?"
Mrs. Larson returned and, on seeing that, pulled Josephine aside. "Madam, Mr. Alvarez needs to rest. Let's talk to him after he has recovered."
Josephine glanced at the man on the bed. "But …"
"He can't leave now even if he agrees to your request, so please stop asking about that."
Josephine thought that made sense, so she gave up and went to her seat beside Lewis.
In a very soft voice—more like a whisper—she said to Lewis, "Lewis, I'll shut up. You must get well soon."
Lewis opened his eyes and stared intently at her. She looked genuinely worried, but he couldn't discern whether she was worried about him or about going home.
After several moments, Lewis propped himself upright in bed and looked at her while leaning against the headboard.
Josephine asked, "Aren't you going to rest?"
"I've had enough rest."
"So soon? Then is your sickness healed?"
Lewis pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Josephine sheepishly covered her mouth with her hand, indicating she would shut up for good.
Lewis picked up his phone and phoned Conrad, asking him about his progress in the search for Quintin.
Conrad answered, "I'm still on it. Phineas brought a dog, and it caught Quintin's scent. We may be able to find him soon."
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