The following day, Josie woke up not feeling as sharp as usual because she didnât have a good nightâs sleep the night before.
At that time, Justin and the others had already finished their breakfast. His leg hadnât fully healed, so it was propped up on one side. Grape was lying next to him, drawing on his cast with colored pencils.
Upon seeing Josie, Justin remarked, âOh? You two didnât share a bed again last night, did you?â
Josieâs face turned red, her ears flaming. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. âStop it. I can sleep by myself!â
Suddenly, Justin was hit by a sudden realization. âThen why have you only woken up now? Were you that tired?â
Josie was cutting her sunny-side-up egg with a knife and fork, and her grip tightened when she heard those words. Yet, a smile remained on her face. âSay that again, and weâll see if this knife ends up in your face.â
Justin rolled his eyes, but ultimately, he didnât say anything more.
The mornings were always serene. Justin was frolicking with Grape, while Paul sat quietly on the balcony, basking in the sun. Sometimes, he would ramble on, and Dexter would approach him to converse, indulging in imaginative conversations together.
Josie watched this scene, sometimes feeling dazed. These days, she surprisingly felt the breath of life, more vivid and warm than in Sumanthova.
Grape had whispered to her more than once, âMommy, I love it here. I love Daddy and Uncle Justin. I also like a lot of the people here.â
Josie was somewhat regretful. If she had known earlier, she wouldnât have agreed to Dexterâs so-called hundred-day pact. After a hundred days, what am I supposed to do?
Seeing that she hadnât eaten for quite some time, the housekeeper couldnât help but step forward to remind her, âMrs. Russell, this breakfast was personally prepared by Mr. Russell.â
Josie was taken aback. âWhat did you call me?â
âMrs. Russell? Is everything okay?â The housekeeper was also puzzled. âMr. Russell said, as long as you are here, this is how you should be addressed.â
âHeâs gone mad.â Josie continued to exert force under her knife. A moment later, she came to her senses and asked, âDid he make this?â
Fried eggs and sandwiches were standard fare for breakfast.
The housekeeper looked bewildered once again. âDidnât you know? All the food youâve been eating these past few days was personally prepared by Mr. Russell.â
Josie knew that Dexter could cook, but she hadnât expected him to be so meticulous, and he had never mentioned it to her.
âYouâre lying to me, arenât you?â Josie didnât believe the housekeeper.
âItâs trueâ¦â
Josie looked up, her gaze landing on the man seated shoulder to shoulder with Paul. The sunlight bathed him, casting an aura of tranquility and cool composure.
For a moment, she was at a loss for words. After a brief pause, she pushed away her plate. âI canât eat anymore. Throw it away.â
âUmâ¦â
Josie had already walked up to Dexterâs side when she heard Paul muttering, âJo is a good girl. You must treat her well.â
Josie thought Paul was talking nonsense again.
Dexter, however, was very patient. âAll right, Mr. Warren. Donât worry.â
Paul still remembered many things. âNo, I canât be at ease. I donât trust you. Letâs sign a divorce agreement. I want to provide some security for Jo!â
Dexter gripped Paulâs hand. âOkay. Okay.â
For a moment, Josie fell silent. It was as if she could see the scene where Dexter had prepared the divorce agreement in advance. Was it actually Pop who had requested that?
Sensing someoneâs presence, Dexter turned around. As their eyes met, both were somewhat lost for words.
Josieâs brows furrowed tightly. âYou-â
Just as she was starting to speak, Dexterâs phone rang. It was placed a bit far, but closer to Josie. She turned around, picked it up, and handed it over to him.
Josie saw the caller ID, and it was a call from Larry.
Dexter switched to speakerphone. Larryâs voice rang out, and it was filled with excitement. âMr. Russell, you would never guess who Arnold has sought out.â