Chapter 160
In one swift move, Joss picked Natalie up and marched out of the lounge to the parking lot. Initially, he placed her in the back seat but feeling uneasy, he quickly moved her to the shotgun position. After getting in the car, he pulled her onto his Jap
Josh’s car tore through the streets, heading straight for the nearest hospital.
Outside the car window, lights flickered on and off against the chilly night, highlighting the paleness of Natalie’s face even
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Natalie lay over Josh’s knees, tightly holding his waist and sobbing softly. Her crying was fragile, hoarse, a sob that tugged relentlessly at Josh’s heartstrings
Josh tenderly touched her cheek with one hand and rubbed her belly, murmuring comforts to lessen her pain as much as he could
Josh slammed the pedal to the metal, wishing he could move even faster.
They finally made it to the hospital, where a medical team whisked Natalie straight into the emergency room
While the lights inside the emergency room blinked, Josh stood firmly outside, s
Yet, the fresh beads of sweat on his forehead gave away his worry.
Forty minutes later, the ER doors opened up.
his face the picture of calm and strength.
Stepping out, the doctor pulled down his mask and shared, “Sir, she’s out of danger for now. After several checks, it looks like it’s just her period that’s causing the discomfort.”
The air hung still for a few seconds.
Josh frowned. With a sense of oppression, he asked suspiciously. Are you sure?”
Caught off guard by Josh’s intensity, the doctor hesitated. She was confident before, but now Josh’s question had planted seeds of doubt.
The doctor paused, reflecting, then said. Tm…. not quite sure. Her level of pain could indicate something else. It might be side effects from taking too many emergency birth control pills, for example. We’re doing some blood tests now and will treat her appropriately once we have the results. She needs to stay for a couple more days for monitoring….
The pressure from Josh was too much, so the doctor finished her update and hurried off.
Josh pursed his lips and thought, ‘Birth control pills? She’s been taking them? Too many?”
With people bustling around, his head filled with an overwhelming buzzing.
The west–facing window slid open, letting the cool night breeze drift in.
The darkness outside blanketed everything, the thick sky bearing down with a tight, gloomy feel, the whole world seemingly damp and suffocating
It took Josh a moment to gather himself. He reached for his phone and called Galaxy Manor.
When Natalie awoke again, it was in the early hours of the next day. Curtains dimly shielded the room from the outside light, making it hard to distinguish between night and day in the quiet stillness.
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15:00 Sat, Aug 24
Chapter 100
Her eyes fluttered operto a blur of white, and the distinct smell of disinfectant filled her nose. Memories of the previous night crept into Natalie’s mind.
On the couch across from her, Josh sat motionless, hand propping his forehead eyes closed.
His solitary figure carried an air of detached chilliness. A profoul loneliness emanated from him.
A flutter of unease crossed Natalie’s mind as she frowned slightly The silence seemed heavy, a certain unease circling in her chest, stifling her breath.
After a moment, she gathered her strength, pushed herself up with her arms, and threw back the thin blanket to step barefoot onto the cool floor,
She approached Josh and could now clearly see the dark circles under his eyes and the stubble on his jaw.
It was the first time Natalie had ever seen him disheveled, his features drawn tight even in a moment meant for relaxation.
She wondered what could weigh so heavily on him. Bending forward, she tenderly touched the center of his furrowed brow, attempting to smooth away the tension.
At that touch. Josh’s brow twitched, and his eyelids lifted, revealing eyes that were sharp and bottomless, echoing the depth and darkness around them.
Startled, Natalie’s movement froze, and her lips quivered. She found herself wanting to step back.
Before she could retreat, Josh snatched her wrist and enveloped her waist with his other arm, promptly sitting her on his lap.
Natalie’s lips trembled, but she remained still.
Holding Natalie close. Josh stroked her cheek with his fingertips. Seeing her startled look, he moved slightly and let a soft smile creep across his face, warmer than a spring day. “Hey, baby, you’re awake. Still hurting?” he inquired with a soothing
Tone.
Natalie shook her head and said, “Much better.”
“Glad to hear that,” Josh said, his attention shifting to her bare feet with a frown of concern. “Why’d you come over without
Natalie didn’t say anything.
Josh playfully tapped her forehead, picked her up, and carried her back to the comfort of the large bed.
As he moved to leave, Natalie clung to his neck, silently begging him to stay.
Josh froze, then looked down at her and softly inquired, “Yes? What’s wrong?”
With eyes glistening, almost mirroring his reflection, she spoke softly, “The bed’s big enough.. Can we sleep together? Please?”
At her words, Josh hesitated, then his lips curved in a gentle concession. “Okay.
He settled into bed, folding Natalie into a careful embrace.
With her face pressed into the curve of Josh’s neck, Natalie’s fingers trailed across his cheek lightly, urging, “Rest now. You have work in the morning?”
Josh responded with an affectionate peck on her cheek, pulling her in tighter, and whispered in agreement, “Alright.”
1501 Sat Aug 24
Chapter 150
As Natalie awoke once more, the room was bathed in sunlight. She reached for Josh, but found only emptiness by her side. which left her feeling hollow.
From outside, there was a faint buzz of conversation Natalie thought it was an argument, but then she realized that Dianna was talking to someone else.
Natalie got up, stepped out of bed, and walked over to the door. As she approached, she could hear a man’s deep, resonant voice. “Mom, there’s no need for you to cour over. Natalie’s restling. Please head back.”
“Fine, conceded Diamma, with a reluctant tone that hinted at her displeasure. “Seems I don’t even have the right to check on my own daughter–in–law anymore. You’ve taken over completely
“Mom! That’s Josh’s wife, not yours… a man put in.
Dianna tapped Jensen’s head three times as she countered, “Did I ask for your input?”
“Ouch, my mistake, Mom!” Jensen conceded.
Dianna turned back to Josh, “What happened with Natalie this time?”
Josh said. “Mom, have you been putting cameras in my place!*
Josh dodged the last of three playful swipes to the back of the head while saying with mild annoyance. “Mom”
Dianna, her expression changing, pressed, “Out with it!”
A silence hung in the air. Natalie’s anxiety heightened. She worried that her condition might be serious or embarrassing to
mention.
Josh signaled Jensen with a glance, prompting him to leave begrudgingly. Once alone, Josh confessed to Dianna in a level voice. “This time… It’s my fault.”
Dianna looked puzzled.
Josh admitted, “It’s just that I went a bit too far during… that. I was too rough with her.”
Dianna went for another tap on his head but again, Josh ducked out of the way of the final swipe.
Natalie felt a mix of surprise and laughter. She hadn’t expected a man like Josh to still be punished by his mother like that.
Dianna scolded with a frown, “I know it’s been 30 years since you’ve been with a woman, but you didn’t have to go at it like a ravenous wolf. You landed Natalie in the hospital. She’s nearly a generation younger than you. If you upset her, where am I supposed to find you another daughter–in–law as good as her?”
Josh couldn’t help but reply. “Mom, Natalie and I got together on our own merit.”
Natalie couldn’t stand it anymore.
Unable to bear the rest of their conversation, Natalie retreated back to the safety of her bed. Shortly after, the footsteps outside receded as Dianna presumably departed.
Then the door opened, and Josh came in, asking, “You’re awake?
Looking up at Natalie, he approached the bed and gently massaged the back of her head, asking, “What do you fancy for breakfast?”
Natalie looked down, responding in a low voice, “Anything’s fine
Josh raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off. He pouted slightly, cupped her face in his hands, and looked into her
III
15:01 Sat, Aug 24
Chapter 160
eves only to find….
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Natalie was tightly pressing her lips together, seemingly fighting back laughter. The slight curl at the corners of her mouth betrayed her attempted composure.
Recognizing this, Josh asked with a touch of resignation, “Honey, you heard everything just now, didn’t you?”
Natalie nodded, and her eyes landed on the spot where Josh’s mother had been swatting at him.
Before Josh could speak, Natalie gestured for him to come closer.
With a puzzled look, Josh bent over to her.
Natalie prompted. “A bit lower.”
“Okay,” Josh complied, lowering his head obediently as if he were a well–trained large dog.
