Chapter 180 She Was Coaxed in Just Three Days
Right after Josephine left, Stuart was stuck at home. Andrew made sure he didn't leave the Haustia Manor.
Andrew didn't even allow him to go out to work. The Haustias' business wouldn't crumble just because he was away for a few days.
He had to stay put!
Stuart had once kept Josephine against her will. Now, Andrew was giving him a taste of his own medicine, making him feel the loss of freedom.
Stuart knew Andrew was punishing him and giving Josephine time to get away. But Stuart was sure he could find her no matter where she went. So, being stuck at home didn't freak him out too much.
He knew he'd gone too far and had been reflecting on it. But he still believed everything he did was to win Josephine back, even if it was wrong.
These days felt endless, but Stuart was still hopeful. Andrew couldn't keep him locked up forever. Once he got out, he'd bring Josephine back.
So, he stayed calm. He even comforted Andrew, worked out with him daily, and made up for the time he'd neglected him due to work.
Robin and Jair visited during this time. Robin didn't know what had happened, and no one told him. Stuart imprisoning Josephine wasn't something to brag about.
Jair was worried about Andrew, so he brought Robin along. On the way, Robin asked about Josephine. "I heard you met with Stuart a few days ago. How are he and Josephine doing?"
Jair replied, "Ask him yourself."
Robin said, "You know Stuart's temper; I don't dare."
After Donna kidnapped Josephine, Robin felt guilty and didn't bother Josephine. So, he missed out on the news about Stuart's actions and Josephine's departure. By the time he found out Stuart couldn't find Josephine, it was too late.
Now, he still thought there was a chance to fix things and didn't acted.
Jair said, "I've told you, since Josephine married Stuart, she's one of us. Your attitude towards her isn't right."
Robin said, "We've been fighting since we were kids; I can't just change my attitude."
"Robin, be honest," Jair said seriously. "I've noticed something off. What's your real attitude towards Josephine?"
Robin felt guilty but kept a straight face. "What attitude? I just don't like her."
Jair said, "You're not petty, but you're stubborn. I don't think anything Josephine did is worth holding a grudge."
Robin scoffed and looked out the window. "I just don't like her."
Jair mocked, "You're acting like a sulking kid."
Robin was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Why don't you dislike her?"
Jair said, "Josephine is kind, cheerful, smart, and pretty. Why would I dislike her?"
Robin asked, "So, you like her?"
Jair said, "Yeah, I admire her as a man, but she's with Stuart, so I can only see her as a friend."
Robin pressed on, "If you really liked her, even loved her, would you want to be with her?"
"Knowing she's Stuart's wife?" Jair frowned. "That's impossible. Maybe I'd have a crush, but as long as she's with Stuart, I'd never let her know. I can control my emotions."
Robin scoffed again.
Jair asked, "Why are you asking these pointless questions? You need to stop badmouthing her in front of Stuart and quit giving him your one-sided, immature opinions."
"I'm one-sided? Immature?" Robin gritted his teeth. "You spend most of your time on the military base; you have no idea how sharp-tongued Josephine can be."
"Her sharp tongue must be because you provoked her," Jair said. "Or is there another reason why you care so much about her reaction?"
Maybe Jair's words were just a spur-of-the-moment question, but Robin felt guilty. "No, I just can't stand her."
"If you can't stand her, avoid her. No one's forcing you to be part of her life," Jair said. "So, you clearly dislike her, but you still hang around. Do you like being scolded?"
Robin was afraid Jair would expose his hidden thoughts, so he kept quiet and just hummed.
Jair continued, "We're friends. Stuart's going through a tough time; if you can't help, at least don't make it worse, okay?"
Robin was unhappy. "Their divorce isn't my problem."
"True," Jair said. "It's Stuart's fault. If he doesn't realize his mistakes and still wants Josephine back, it's going to be tough."
When they arrived at the Haustia Manor, Jair repeated the same thing to Stuart.
Stuart looked disdainful. "It's all my fault? I know I was wrong, but she wasn't entirely right either."
Jair was puzzled. "If you find Josephine so disagreeable, why do you want to remarry her?"
Stuart looked uncomfortable. "I don't find her disagreeable anymore. I'm just stating the facts. If she liked me, why didn't she say so? If I had known earlier..."
"There is no if,'" Jair interrupted. "What's done is done. If you want Josephine back, you can't have this attitude."
Stuart fell silent.
Robin casually asked, "So where is Josephine now?"
Stuart replied irritably, "How would I know? She left with that bastard Liam, and we haven't been in contact since."
Robin asked, "Do you want me to help you find her?"
Stuart said, "No need. Once Andrew calms down, I'll find her myself."
Jair said, "That's more like it. When you go to find her, adjust your attitude. A real man can bend and stretch. Besides, you were in the wrong; bowing your head to your wife isn't losing face."
Even if Stuart could kneel and apologize to Josephine, he would never lose face in front of his friends. "Bowing my head? I'll just say a few words and she'll come back."
Jair didn't believe him. "If it were that easy, you wouldn't have taken so long and still not won her back."
Stuart bragged, "Just wait. Once Grandpa calms down and I can get out, I'll find her, and within three days, we'll be back together."
However, Stuart didn't expect that he wouldn't be able to find her.
