Chapter 174 I Just Like You Too Much. I Can't Help Myself
Stuart wanted to hold her like this forever.
But time waits for no one.
Morning came. Stuart had nothing to do in the morning but had a meeting in the afternoon.
Last night, he held Josephine as she trembled. He didn't know how long it took for her to calm down and fall asleep.
Now, he was up early again.
During the months they were apart, he couldn't sleep well.
Even with Josephine by his side, he still couldn't sleep deeply, fearing she might disappear.
Sunlight peeked through the curtains. He gently wiped the tear stains from her face. "I'm sorry."
He felt guilty but knew he wouldn't let go.
He wasn't a good person. He couldn't stand the thought of Josephine being happy with someone else.
Just thinking about it tore him apart.
Josephine's long eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes were swollen, and her lashes still wet, but to Stuart, she looked irresistibly sexy.
He couldn't help but kiss her.
Josephine shuddered, her gaze turning cold.
Stuart asked, "How about we wash up and eat?"
He knew she wouldn't speak, so he pulled her up anyway.
After washing up, he held her hand and went downstairs to eat.
Josephine's eyes were vacant, her movements slow, which scared the servants.
Stuart didn't hesitate and started feeding her directly. Josephine turned her face away.
Stuart said, "Not eating won't change anything. I can still use medical means, Josephine. You're a doctor; you know this. Don't try to threaten me. I won't let you leave."
Josephine was silent for a few seconds, then picked up the fork herself.
"That's better." Stuart moved the dishes closer to her. "Eat more; you're too thin."
In the afternoon, Stuart had to go out. Before leaving, he gave the nanny and bodyguards strict instructions. But it was pointless.
Once Josephine returned to her room, she wouldn't come out.
Stuart attended the meeting and called twice, getting the same answer, "Mrs. Haustia is in her room."
He was anxious, but some elders insisted he join them for dinner after the meeting.
He couldn't refuse, so he went. By the time he got home, it was past ten.
When he returned, he saw a servant carrying a tray downstairs.
"What's going on?" he asked, frowning. "She hasn't had dinner yet?"
The nanny said, "Mrs. Haustia hasn't come out. We knocked, but she didn't respond."
Stuart took the tray. "I'll take it."
He entered the dark bedroom.
Josephine hadn't turned on the lights and was lying quietly on the bed.
Stuart turned on a small lamp, walked to the bed, and put down the tray before pulling away the blanket she was wrapped in.
Josephine had her back to him, silently protesting.
"Josephine, get up and eat," Stuart said. "Did you sleep all afternoon? Were you too tired last night?"
He meant to show concern but realized last night's memories might not be pleasant for Josephine.
Stuart didn't like forcing her either. He felt he had no choice...
If he could do it again, he wouldn't bully Josephine like that.
It was better when both of them were willing.
Josephine didn't respond, so Stuart, feeling helpless, picked her up.
"If you don't want to move, I'll have to feed you," he said.
Josephine sat up, expressionless, got out of bed, and took the tray.
Stuart found her behavior oddly endearing.
He followed her downstairs, watched her eat, and then pulled her to watch some financial news with him.
After the nanny left, it was just the two of them in the villa.
Stuart couldn't help but kiss her on the cheek.
He held her chin to make her look at him. "Josephine..."
His kiss landed on the corner of her lips.
Seeing no resistance, he pressed her down on the sofa, kissing her more passionately, wanting more.
"Josephine." He breathed heavily, his hand slipping inside her collar. "I want you..."
Josephine suddenly called him, "Stuart."
Stuart's heart leaped. "Josephine, you're finally talking to me?"
Josephine stared into space, her eyes cold. "How long do you plan to humiliate me?"
"Humiliate?" Stuart was stunned. "Josephine, I just like you too much. Last night, I was drunk, so..."
He withdrew his hand and helped her straighten her clothes. "If you don't want to, I won't force you. Last night was an accident. I'll show you my sincerity."
Josephine got up and went upstairs.
For the next few days, they coexisted peacefully, but Josephine still didn't speak.
Stuart knew he needed to show more sincerity. He had time and could take it slow.
But saying it was easy; doing it was hard.
Every time he looked at the lifeless Josephine, it felt like his heart was being cut with a knife.
Did she hate him that much? He had gone to such lengths, and she still wouldn't forgive him? Frustrated, he turned to alcohol.
When he drank, he lost control.
His beloved woman was right there, and for days he could only look at her, not touch her.
He was a normal man, full of energy. He had always had a strong passion for sex.
Since their divorce, it had been six or seven months, and he had only made love to her once. He couldn't stand it.
Alcohol made him impulsive. Stuart violated Josephine again.
The next day, he apologized.
That night, he drank again.
Stuart didn't want to admit it, but he used being drunk as an excuse to do things he wouldn't dare otherwise.
Maybe it was a flaw, but he went from feeling guilty to indulging in it.
He even found pleasures he hadn't imagined before.
Even though Josephine resisted, he still found joy.
However, Josephine's mental state deteriorated, and Stuart's guilt grew.
But he was addicted to her body. He couldn't control his desire to be close to her.
He even thought that if this continued, their relationship might improve.
Until things took a turn.
