Chapter 4
When Josie awoke, the sharp scent of disinfectant made her grimace.
As she opened her eyes, she noticed Adam sitting by her bed. His suit jacket was draped over the chair, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing his toned forearms.
“Josie!” he exclaimed, leaning forward when he saw she was awake. His warm hand gently touched her forehead. “Is it still painful?”
Instinctively, Josie turned her head away to avoid his touch.
Adam’s hand paused mid–air, and he swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry,” he said with a rough voice. “I had something important to handle last night and missed your call. I didn’t know about the car accident… Can you forgive me, please?”
Something important?
Was he referring to the significant matter of being with Jessica?
Josie recalled the uncertain gasps from the other end of the line. A bitter smile crept across her lips as tears dotted the pristine white. bedsheets.
Adam, believing she was in pain, promptly pressed the bell to summon the doctor.
After examining her, the attending physician said, “The surgical suture was very successful, but you require two weeks of calm rest.”
Chapter 4
He paused, giving Adam a significant look, and added. “It would be best if someone stayed with you closely.”
Adam agreed, replying, “I’ll be here with her.”
And he meant it. In the days that followed, he rarely left her side.
He reserved the entire VIP ward to ensure she could recover undisturbed.
Whenever she wanted to go to the garden for fresh air, he carefully carried her downstairs, making sure she wouldn’t get bumped or bruised.
When she craved porridge from the west side of the city late at night, he silently drove out to get it. By the time he returned, the porridge was still warm.
In the past, Josie might have been teary–eyed with emotion, but now she felt utterly hollow inside.
If she hadn’t witnessed Adam’s affection for Jessica firsthand, she might have believed otherwise.
On the day she was released from the hospital, Adam gently buckled her seat belt and whispered, “Josie, I have a surprise for you.”
Just as she was about to reply, his phone rang.
“Adam, there’s a class reunion tonight. Are you coming?” an old classmate joked on the line, adding, “But I bet you won’t show up…”
The classmate continued, “Maybe it’s best if you don’t come since Jessica will be there too. I don’t understand how she can be so shameless! Everyone remembers how she ditched you for a chance to
study abroad. Our classmates can’t stand someone so superficial, yet she still has the nerve to attend…”
Adam’s fingers paused for a brief moment before he abruptly decided, “I’ll be there”
The person on the other end of the line was taken aback. “What? You’re going?”
“Yeah,” he replied casually, glancing at Josic. “I’ll bring my girlfriend along. She’s been in the hospital lately, and this is a good opportunity. for her to unwind.”
His old classmate chuckled immediately. “Fantastic! This will definitely irk Jessien and remind her of what she’s missing!”
After ending the call, Adam turned to Josie and gently said, “I’m taking you out to relax.”
Josie lowered her gaze, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Relax?
He had mentioned earlier that he was planning a surprise for her.
Now, he didn’t bring up the surprise anymore; “relaxing” was just an
excuse
He simply wanted to see Jessica.
But she didn’t call him out on it. Instead, she just closed her eyes
wearily.
The class reunion took place at an exclusive club. The dim, enchanting lights in the private suite set the mood as glasses clinked in
celebration.
When Adam entered with his arm around Josie’s waist, the room buzzed with excitement.
“Wow! Adam actually showed up!” someone exclaimed.
“And he’s with his girlfriend! Isn’t she the younger classmate who used to always trail after him and bring him water?”
Another voice chimed in loudly, “They make such a stunning pair. She’s so gentle and lovely, far better than his vain ex!”
In a corner, Jessica’s face lost all color, and her fingers trembled slightly around her wine glass.
Adam ignored her presence and focused entirely on Josie, showering
her with attention.
He placed a cushion behind her as soon as she sat down.
When she sipped her wine, he quickly offered her a glass of warm water. “Your injury hasn’t healed yet. You should drink less alcohol.”
Someone remarked, “Mr. Deantt is so devoted to his girlfriend. He must truly love her.”
Adam simply smiled and didn’t reply, gently tousling Josie’s hair
instead.
But Josic noticed everything.
From the corner of his eye, Adam kept glancing at Jessica.
Eventually, Josie couldn’t stay seated and headed to the restroom.
When she emerged, Jessica confronted her.
“You saw everything at the hotel entrance yesterday, didn’t you?” Jessica said with a smug smile. “How does it feel seeing Adam with me? Josic, you really have a lot of patience.”
Josie pressed her fingernails into her palm but maintained a calm demeanor. “I don’t feel anything. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Not feeling anything? Who are you trying to act indifferent with?” Jessica suddenly seized Josie’s wrist. “Let me tell you something, Josic, If I hadn’t made the wrong choice back then, Adam would have been mine. You’re just an opportunist who took advantage of the situation. Honestly, I’m back to reclaim him!”
She leaned in closer, her red lips curling into a smug smile. “Do you know how mu
he used to adore me? In high school, when I casually mentioned wanting cake from the north side of town, he skipped class and waited in line for three hours. In college, when I had cramps, he knelt and massaged my stomach all night long. Even now…”
She lowered her voice, looking self–satisfied. “He claims to hate me, but last night, he couldn’t get enough of me until dawn. He loves me deeply. How can you possibly compete with that?”
Josie’s heart wavered slightly, and she slowly lifted her gaze to meet
Jessica’s.
In the past, she had quietly admired Adam and watched him shower Jessica with affection. She had never confronted Jessica directly.
So, even though Jessica had left Adam for money, Josie still believed Jessica might have had her reasons. Otherwise, why would Adam still remember Jessica so intensely?
Now, Josie finally realized the truth about Jessica–selfish, vain, and lacking any moral compass.
Yet, Adam was madly in love with her.
“Then I wish you success,” Josie said, shaking off Jessica’s hand and leaving without glancing backward.
When she returned to the private room, everyone was encouraging each other to play the game “I Have, You Don’t.” Seeing Josie back, they quickly pulled her in to join.
To ensure she understood, they explained the rules: each participant held up five fingers, taking turns to state something they had done. If the others hadn’t done it, they had to lower a finger, and the first person to lower all five fingers would lose.
Jessica also entered the room, eager to play, but nobody paid her any attention.
“Josie, the game is starting. You go first!”
Josie lifted her finger and, recalling Jessica’s recent taunt, a smile spread across her face.
There was no need for her to retaliate.
Thanks to Adam, she had already moved on from him.
In a gentle voice, she announced, “I’m getting married soon.”
She added, “Lower one finger if you have not done that.”
