Chapter 448 I Could Hardly Breathe
Caroline went to talk to a few more people and landed some more gigs.
She had dinner with Ben, who suddenly pulled out a gift box.
"This is for you," he said with a warm smile.
Caroline's eyes widened. "It's not my birthday."
"I saw it on a business trip and thought it would suit you. Open it."
Caroline opened it to find a beautiful silk scarf. It looked like it cost a lot of money.
"It's too expensive," she said, putting it back. "Your sister might like it. Give it to her."
Ben replied, "She already has one. Consider this an apology for last time."
"It's all in the past. Why are you still thinking about it?"
He was referring to the time he got her on a variety show. He felt guilty because of the producer's unpleasant behavior.
"If you don't accept it, it means you haven't forgiven me," Ben said, frowning.
Caroline sighed, "Alright, I'll accept it. But you really shouldn't feel guilty anymore."
"Okay, I'll let it go," Ben said, smiling again.
In the afternoon, Caroline went to pick up Josie from school and saw Nicholas there too. Seeing him, Caroline stayed silent, waiting for Josie.
Sophia was still at the hospital, so David picked up the other three kids.
On their first day of elementary school, the kids adapted well. From a distance, Emma saw Caroline and Nicholas.
She whispered to Josie, "Don't you want your mom and dad together? Listen to me..."
Josie nodded.
At the school gate, Ethan, Emma, and Sam got into the car with David. Emma waved to Josie. "Josie, goodbye, good luck!"
Josie waved back.
After they left, Josie walked up to Caroline.
"Mom, can we have stew tonight?"
"Sure." Caroline also wanted some stew.
She was about to take Josie's hand when Josie walked over to Nicholas. "Dad, to celebrate my first day of school, Mom is making stew. Will you come?"
Seeing Josie's brave little face, Nicholas felt a pang in his heart and softened. "Okay."
Josie got into the car with Caroline, reminding Nicholas, "Dad, don't forget."
"I won't," Nicholas said, getting into his car.
An hour later, Caroline heard the doorbell ring. Josie rushed to open it.
"Dad!" Josie was thrilled that Nicholas had come.
Caroline wanted to say something but didn't. Nicholas had the right to visit Josie; she couldn't stop him.
Dinner was a bit awkward. They sat at the table with steam rising from the pot in front of them.
Josie looked at Caroline, then Nicholas, and said, "I want some beef."
Both Nicholas and Caroline reached for the beef.
Watching Josie cleverly executing her plan, Lisa smiled silently.
Thanks to Josie, dinner wasn't as awkward as it could have been.
After dinner, Josie wanted to watch a horror movie and insisted Caroline and Nicholas join her. Lisa said she couldn't handle horror movies and went to her room. Sharpe said he had something to do and left, leaving just Caroline, Nicholas, and Josie.
Caroline tried to talk Josie out of watching the horror movie, but had no luck negotiating with her.
"Mom, everyone says I'm a scaredy-cat. I want to be braver. Emma said watching horror movies can help," Josie said.
Seeing Josie's determination, Caroline couldn't refuse. She picked a horror movie that reviews said wasn't scary.
"I want to sit between Mom and Dad," Josie said, arranging them on the couch.
Nicholas moved from his wheelchair to the couch.
The horror movie started, and they turned off the lights to set the mood.
Josie was scared but felt safer with her parents beside her. Caroline, on the other hand, was really scared, gripping Josie's hand tightly.
Suddenly, Caroline screamed and hugged Josie tightly.
Josie, startled by Caroline's scream, turned pale, her own fear kicking in.
"Mom," she called softly.
The TV emitted terrifying sounds, and Caroline shivered.
"Mom, don't be scared," Josie said bravely, trying to comfort her.
It seemed like Caroline was more scared than Josie.
Nicholas reached over and pulled both Caroline and Josie into his arms.
Caroline felt like she was back in the old days. She had always been afraid of ghosts and never watched horror movies. Nicholas once tricked her into watching one, saying it was a romance film. She screamed in the theater, annoying everyone around them, and they had to leave halfway through. She didn't talk to him for three days after that.
Nicholas remembered those times too and held Caroline tightly. Josie was almost squashed between them.
In the dim light, Nicholas' eyes were soft and a bit joyful. He gently stroked Caroline's back.
"Don't be afraid, it's all fake," he said in his deep, reassuring voice.
Nicholas' scent calmed Caroline.
Suddenly, the TV emitted a scream, and Caroline shuddered, holding Nicholas even tighter.
Her light fragrance wafted into Nicholas' nose, and he took a deep, indulgent breath.
At that moment, the tension between them seemed to vanish, and it felt just like it used to in the old days.
"Dad," Josie said weakly, "I can barely breathe."
Nicholas quickly pushed Caroline away a bit, letting Josie squeeze out from between them.
Caroline realized she had unconsciously hugged Nicholas out of fear and blushed with embarrassment.
"I'm not watching anymore. You guys can finish it," she said, getting up to leave.
Nicholas grabbed her. "The movie is almost over."
Josie added, "Yeah, Mom, you need to be brave too."
Caroline felt even more embarrassed. It felt like Josie was looking down on her!
To set a good example for Josie, Caroline forced herself to sit back down despite her fear.
As the movie progressed, the scenes became scarier.
Nicholas' warm hand held her cold one. She paused, knowing it was Nicholas.
She wanted to pull her hand away but didn't. She even felt a bit greedy, wanting more. She wanted to hide in his arms like before.
In the final scenes, Caroline closed her eyes.
But listening to the sounds still scared her, and she instinctively gripped Nicholas' hand tighter.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
