Chapter 5
The sentence landed like a bombshell, plunging the private box into such silence that even the sound of breathing was audible.
All eyes turned to Josie before slowly shifting to Adam.
Moments later, the room erupted with shouts.
“Wow! Adam, you’ve proposed? Then she’s not just your girlfriend anymore. She’s your fiancée, right?”
“No, wait. She should be your wife!”
Laughter and teasing filled the air, but in the corner, Jessica gripped her bag’s strap tightly, her eyes reddening.
Adam’s eyes briefly met hers, and a shadow of sadness flickered across
his face.
He closed his eyes, lowered one finger, and quietly said, “I don’t have any plans for that right now.”
His voice was gentle, yet it felt like a slap to Josie.
To everyone else, they appeared as a couple.
She had announced her intentions to marry, but he countered by saying
he wouldn’t.
Wasn’t this a public rejection, a clear statement that he had no desire to wed her?
Observers sensed the tension and awkwardly tried to defuse the
situation. “What’s going on with you two? Didn’t you talk about getting married?”
Josie hesitated, ready to clarify, “I’m not with Adam. I do plan to get married, just not to him.”
Before she could utter a word, a loud “crack” echoed above her.
“Watch out!” someone screamed.
Josie glanced up to see a massive crystal chandelier teetering dangerously, plummeting toward her and Jessica!
In an instant, Adam dashed over–he grabbed Jessica, wrapping her tightly in his embrace to shield her.
Meanwhile, Josie was struck forcefully by the chandelier.
Bang!
Agonizing pain surged through her body as shards of glass pierced her skin, and blood quickly soaked her sleeves.
The chaos was overwhelming; voices called her name in panic, while ng; voices called her name in panic, while others hurriedly attempted to move the chandelier aside.
Adam didn’t give Josie a thought until he was certain Jessica was out of harm’s way.
He approached quickly, his voice tinged with guilt, and said, “Josie, I’m sorry. I grabbed the wrong person…”
Josie’s eyes met his, and they reddened as she smiled.
Chapters
Grabbed the wrong person?
There was nothing alike between her and Jessica–neither in hair. clothing, nor height.
How could he have made such an error?
In moments of life and death, his instincts always led him to choose Jessica.
“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt,” Josie replied.
Perhaps she had endured so much pain that she was numb to it now.
Adam couldn’t believe it. He was determined to take her to the hospital, but she continued to refuse. “It’s not a serious injury. I can handle the bandaging myself. You all can keep enjoying your time,” she insisted.
As she turned to leave, he scooped her up around the waist.
“You’re hurt like this. How could I let you go back alone?” His voice was resolute, leaving no room for argument. “I’ll take you!”
In the car, Adam apologized once more. “Josie, I really misunderstood her. I won’t let you get hurt again.”
He added, “And about marriage, you’re still young. There’s no need to hurry.”
Josie listened to his flawed explanations but remained silent. She simply gazed out the window, quietly observing the raindrops hitting the glass.
The ringtone of the mobile phone suddenly interrupted the silence.
Chapter 5
Jessica was on the line.
“Adam, have you taken Ms. Hacitt home? Is she alright?” she asked.
“I’m calling because there’s someone at the club entrance asking for your contact details. Should I share it with them?”
Adam’s expression shifted instantly upon hearing this.
His eyes narrowed, and with a clenched jaw, he retorted, “Just try giving it to them!”
After ending the call, he composed himself and turned back to Josie. “Josie, something urgent came up. Can you head home on your own?” he asked, pressing an umbrella into her hand before she could reply. “It’s raining outside. Take care not to catch a cold.”
After he said those words, he sped off quickly.
Josie remained standing, recalling his recent statement. “With you injured like this, how could I let you return by yourself?”
She unexpectedly burst into laughter, uncertain whether she was mocking herself or Adam.
