Blind date turned proposal (Josie and Dexter)

The space was cramped at the stairs, and the ventilationwas terrible.

Dexter loosened his tie once more to breathe better. He had hastily excused himself from a meeting upon hearing that something had happened at the Olsen Residence. Knowing what might've happened, he rushed straight to the hospital without a second thought to see Josie sitting there, drowning in remorse.

"Jo, perhaps that wasn't the right time to tell Mark about Grape, but you'll have to tell him sooner or later, right? If he can't accept it, no matter when it's revealed, then the timing of disclosure doesn't make a difference. Dwelling on it won't help."

He had never been good at comforting others; Josie was the only recipient of his words of comfort.

Josie's voice was muffled. "But if it weren't for me "

"Hearing it from you meant so much more to him than hearing it from someone else."

"I said hurtful things."

"That's because you're angry. How are you going to sugarcoat your words in anger?"

After a few seconds of silence, Josie removed the suit jacket, her eyes brimming with tears. "Dexter. Don't be biased toward me."

Her hair, which he had tied up neatly in the morning, was now a mess. Dexter's gaze darkened as he reached out, gently wiping away her tears with his fingertips. "Mark was already wheeled out of the emergency room when I arrived. It seemslikehe's fine now, so don't blame yourself too much."

Upon hearing this, Josie finally breathed a sigh of relief. She clung tighter to his jacket. "I don't know how to face him."

"Let's revisit this later. Now that you've toldthemeverything, they'll eventually come to terms with Grape's presence."

Josie cursed under her breathas she keptwiping her tears, which never seemed to stop.

She began sobbing. "Would this affect you? I'm worried about how the public might twist the story."

Dexter froze./s Josieactuallyworried about me?

"Jo, listen to me. Grape is not an illegitimate child. She is our daughter. She has every right to exist in this world openly and proudly. As for those with ill intentions, I will take care of them," he assured. For reasons unknown, his words filled Josie with a newfound confidence.

She no longer felt lost, for Dexter's presence made her feel like she had a backer.

Her pupils constricted when the realization struck her.No. Thiswon't do. I can't become reliant on Dexter.

She pursed her lips, returning himthe suit jacket. "I'm going to check on Mark."

Dexter immediately stood up, intending to accompany her, but she raised her hand to stop him. "It has been chaotic today, so I should go alone," she said.

He could only stop in his tracks.

Josie looked through the VIP ward's window to see the doctor standing beside Mark's bed, relaying medical advice to Claudia.

Zach had already left, leaving only Laura behind. When she saw Josie from inside, she pushed the door open and calledout, "Jo."

"How is he?"

"It was just a heart attack caused by anger. It's nothing serious. With proper rest and care, he'll be fine. Don't blame yourself too much."

Everyone kept telling her not to blame herself.

Josie pursed her lips. "I'll go in and take a look."

"Wait." Laura held her back. "He's still quite fragile right now. Avoid saying things that might agitate him, especially about Grape and the past."

After a moment of hesitation, Josie finally nodded.

"Do not bring up the past in particular. Hehas been dwelling on it for a long time," Laura emphasized.

"I know what I'm doing. Don't worry."

The doctor and nurse happened to walk out just then, leaving the door to the ward wide open. Josie glanced sideways and locked eyes with Claudia. They both averted their gazes at the same time.