Chapter 283 Apologize to Harmony?
Her eyes, wide and dazed, locked onto James. A visible tremor ran through her, her cheeks flushing as she bit her lip.
James shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze. "Harmony," he murmured, "maybe tone it down a bit? Jennifer's right here."
But instead of heeding his words, Harmony did something that sent a jolt of pure panic through him. She abruptly emerged from her reverie, propelling herself towards him with such fervor that her arms encircled him in a desperate embrace, clinging to him tightly. "James! Oh God, you're awake! I was so terrified…" Her voice dissolved into sobs against his chest.
James' mind went blank.
The pain was immediate and intense. Harmony's embrace was even more bone-crushing than Jennifer's, and he winced. But the physical discomfort was nothing compared to the sheer awkwardness of the situation. Jennifer was watching this entire display! Harmony was putting him in an impossible position. To make matters worse, her head was pressed against his face, making it hard to breathe.
Didn't she have any sense of boundaries?
He briefly entertained the thought that he'd wronged Harmony in a past life. This felt like karmic retribution of the highest order.
Nonetheless, the intensity of her emotions pulled at his heartstrings. Regardless of her reasons, it was evident that Harmony sincerely worried about him. He couldn't fault her for that.
Maybe this near-death experience had given him a new perspective. Harmony wasn't a bad person; she'd just fallen for the wrong guy. He just needed to maintain a healthy distance – no need for unnecessary coldness. That would be cruel.
Of course, thinking rationally was one thing, but the reality of the situation was making him sweat. He desperately wanted to see Jennifer's expression, to gauge her reaction. But Harmony's grip was like iron, his face plastered against her chest.
He was trapped. A man of his capabilities rendered immobile by a woman. Humiliating didn't even begin to cover it.
Strangely, despite the prolonged hug, Jennifer hadn't uttered a word. It was as if she'd vanished into thin air. Had she really left, unable to bear the sight?
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Harmony released him.
Her face was stained with tears, her breath still hitching.
James sucked in a much-needed lungful of air. He was free! Another minute, and he might have actually passed out.
He couldn't help but think, how could someone so slender have such…ample assets? He'd nearly suffocated.
Harmony blushed, noticing his ragged breaths and wide eyes. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean… Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he wheezed. "Just…had the wind knocked out of me."
She bit her lip, wiping her tears. It was at that moment that she appeared to become aware of Jennifer's presence. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she bowed her head, becoming abruptly restless.
Jennifer approached them. "Why would you scare her like that?" she asked James, her tone reproachful. "Harmony was just worried. Her reaction was understandable."
She took Harmony's hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't mind him. He's always like this, joking around. Don't take it to heart." Then, fixing James with a stern look, she added, "Well? Aren't you going to apologize to Harmony?"
James blinked, utterly bewildered.
Had he heard that correctly? He was the one who'd been manhandled, and she wanted him to apologize? Didn't she realize Harmony was supposed to be her romantic rival?
Harmony, looking utterly flustered, waved her hands. "No, no, I should be the one apologizing. I hurt him."
"You were just worried. It's understandable." Jennifer turned back to James. "What are you waiting for? Apologize. Look, you're about to make her cry again."
James wanted to check Jennifer's temperature. Had she lost her mind? Her husband had just been publicly embraced by another woman, and she was defending her?
Harmony peeked up at him, a mixture of shyness and anticipation in her eyes. He'd never actually apologized to her before.
Trapped, James forced out a reluctant apology. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? It was…inappropriate. Won't happen again."
His tone was flat, devoid of any real remorse.
Jennifer glared at him. "Seriously? Put some effort into it!"
"It's fine, really," Harmony interjected. "He's still recovering. We should be more understanding."
"So what if he's recovering? That doesn't give him the right to be rude. Apologize properly."
What was happening? Weren't they supposed to be at odds? Why were they ganging up on him?
Even with his sharp mind, James couldn't decipher Jennifer's behavior. Had Harmony slipped her some kind of mind-control serum?
Fine, he'd apologize. It wasn't like it would kill him.
"Ms. Brown," he said, forcing sincerity into his voice. "I was out of line. I apologize for my behavior."
Harmony beamed, her earlier distress forgotten. "Okay, apology accepted."
James rolled his eyes.
He really needed to use the bathroom. He continually attempted to secure Jennifer's attention, with the aspiration that she would promptly remove Harmony, thereby enabling him to alleviate himself; however, it appeared that she was oblivious to his gestures, as she engaged in conversation with Harmony.
Thankfully, a godsend arrived in the form of the doctor, accompanied by a male nurse. They were there to fit James with a catheter.
As the urine bag on the floor slowly filled, both Harmony and Jennifer seemed to turn a delicate shade of pink.
Seizing the opportunity presented by Harmony stepping out to grab some refreshments, James turned to Jennifer. "Why did you make me apologize? Aren't you even slightly angry about that hug?"
Jennifer's smile faltered for a moment, then returned full force. "Why would I be angry? She was just worried."
James pressed on. "But don't you think it's a little…much? She's your friend, not mine. That kind of behavior goes way beyond friendship."
Jennifer fell silent, her expression unreadable.
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