Blind date turned proposal (Josie and Dexter)

Mark remained asleep throughout the night.

"He's fine now. Go home and rest," Claudia said, tucking the blanket around Mark without looking back.

Josie didn't move. She clutched at the hem of her clothes. "I should stay here. I won't feel at ease if I go back." Claudia stood up straight, casting a glance at her without uttering another word.

The ward was spacious, featuring a separate area for privacy, and even a couch was situated next to the sickbed.

Claudia requested an extra blanket from the nurse, intending to spread it over the couch. Josie stepped forward without hesitation, arranging the blanket for her. "I'm responsible for what happened today. I'll sleep out here. You go ahead and get some rest inside."

Claudia stood behind Josie, watching her busy herself. An indescribable sensation welled up in her heart.

"Let's spend the night here together," she said.

Josie paused for a moment.

The couch wasn't particularly large, but it was spacious enough for two people. As the lights went out, silence reclaimed the room.

Josie curled up on the couch, hugging her knees. After wrestling with her thoughts for a while, she finally spoke. "I didn't mean any harm today... I just wanted to get everything out in the open to avoid any trouble."

When Josie heard no response from Claudia, she cautiously turned to see Claudia studying her under the dim light of a wall lamp.

"It was my fault. I always saw you as the obedient and compliant Liana of the past. Little did I realize that after all these years without anyone to protect you, you've developed a stubborn and independent personality. It was wrong of me to force you into submission." Claudia always spoke in a soft and gentle manner, much like a tranquil spring.

Josie lowered her head.

"I understand that you've always been reluctant to return to the Olsen family, harboring resentment in your heart toward us. But Leanne, can we really sever the ties of blood?" Claudia let out a sigh. She reached out, taking Josie's hand, which felt cold.

"Giving birth alone abroad must have been quite challenging, wasn't it?" she asked.

A pang of sadness struck Josie when being asked that question by her mother.

She nodded. "Dexter and I... we once had a child. But sadly, I couldn't bring them into this world. So, when I realized I was pregnant again, I wanted to keep her, even though he and I... were already divorced." Claudia tenderly caressed the back of her daughter's hand, aching for her.

"Why didn't you return home?"

"I guess I just wanted to prove myself."

Claudia held her hand, not asking any further.

"Two years ago, when you left, it caught us completely off guard. Everything happened so abruptly that neither your father nor I were prepared. We were at a loss about how to face you, and our attitude might've disappointed you. But you must understand that we love you. The daughter we'd been searching for years was right in front of us, yet we were too afraid to face her. It's indeed ridiculous..." Claudia was filled with regret upon recalling the past.

Josie pursed her lips, choosing not to comment on the matter. "It's all in the past now."

Taking care of a sick person was no easy task. Sleep eluded them the whole night.

Josie and Claudia sat together on the couch and chatted about things they had never talked about before. Apart from a few taboo subjects they avoided, they basically talked about everything. Josie even asked Claudia, "How did you get to know Mar... How'd you get to know him?"

Claudia chuckled. "That was a long time ago, back in our university days. He was the campus heartthrob then. During one of the school's sports events, he won first place in a long-distance race. I was the one who presented him the award. Our eyes met, and just like that, we hit it off."

Josie was somewhat taken aback. "Just like that?"

"Yeah. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed."