What Separates Me and You

Nancy thought about it and acknowledged that Lewis had a valid point. It was common for Robert to stay out for days on end in the past, but not to the extent of ignoring her calls and texts. He would also inform her of where he went. However, he left without a word and vanished into thin air this time. If they didn't report his disappearance to the police, and it turned out that something had indeed happened to Robert, others might even suspect them of being behind all this. At that thought, Nancy immediately got someone to call the police.

Pondering Lewis' words, the fear in her grew. She sat beside Lewis and suggested, "Why don't you stay here, Lewis? Don't go back. And that girl, Josephine, she can stay too. At least we can look out for each other. We're a family, yet we've drifted so far apart that we no longer resemble one."

Lewis replied, "We'll see."

He got up to leave, but Nancy quickly reached out and grabbed him. "Wait," she implored. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she took a breath before speaking with conviction, "I know you're worried I'll deliberately make things difficult for Josephine. I promise you I won't, okay?"

Impatient, Lewis frowned and shook her hand off. "It's not that. It's inconvenient for us here."

"How is it inconvenient?"

Lewis ceased answering her questions and headed out to look for Josephine.

Josephine was playing with Baron on the lawn. The nanny noticed she was anxious while carrying the baby, so she asked Josephine to put him in the stroller instead. She was now taking a stroll on the lawn, pushing the stroller.

Lewis stood a stone's throw away, hands in his pockets as he watched her.

She reached a massive oak tree. As she squatted beneath it, its leaves fluttered down around her. Holding Baron's hand, she beamed widely. It was the bleakest time of the year, yet her smile brought an illusion of rejuvenating life and turned everything around vibrant once again.

Josephine had always loved children since before she became one herself. Still, she would never remember how she hugged Daphne's child in the exact spot several months ago, her eyes weary and brimming with hatred, less so remembering how she had lost her own child here.

Now, she only had eyes for the baby before her, admiring how cute and chubby he was. He was adorable.

Lewis walked toward her.

The nanny saw him and immediately greeted him, "Master Lewis."

Josephine looked up and flashed him a dazzling grin. Lewis lowered his eyes to look at her. He was emotionless. The baby in the stroller still clutched Josephine's finger, refusing to let go. Josephine reached out and gently pinched his cheek, making him giggle, sounding slightly raspy from crying.

"Do you like him?" asked Lewis.

Josephine nodded with an evident fondness for Baron.

Lewis pondered and said, "If so, you can take him home and mess around with him for several days."

The nanny heard the phrase "mess around" and looked weirdly at them. Was messing around with a child allowed?

But Josephine seemed delighted at the suggestion. She loved playing with the baby.

Lewis grabbed the stroller's handle and told the nanny, "Inform my mother I'm taking the baby with me for several days when you go inside."

"..."

"Yes?"

The nanny met his unrelenting gaze and knew there was nothing she could say besides nodding as she faked a smile, "Yes, sir."

"Josephine, let's go."

Josephine rose to her feet and followed him like a jolly puppy. Lewis looked just like a father as he pushed the stroller. She gazed at him from the back as a thought flitted across her mind. It was too fast for her to grasp, but it gave her the urge to cry.

A father... Why didn't she have one?

Lewis loaded the stroller seat into the car, but Baron started crying the moment he was left alone. Josephine felt sorry when she heard him crying, so she left the passenger seat and went to sit at the back. She held Baron's hand, and he slowly stopped crying.

Most people played house when they were at a young age. They would carry a doll in their arms and imagine themselves as its mother or father. But now, Josephine had a real baby, giving the game a realistic twist, captivating her, and enticing her to immerse herself even deeper in the role.

At the wheel, Lewis glanced at them now and then through the rearview mirror. Her head lowered, and she had unprecedented loving tenderness in her eyes-it was motherly love.

He returned the cigarette he had just pulled out and stepped on the accelerator, driving back to Styx Mansion as fast as possible.

Mrs. Larson came forward, full of smiles, which froze when she saw the stroller Josephine was pushing.

They were only gone for several hours. How did they manifest such a big child? Could they be the parents of that baby? It seemed impossible to give birth to one within such a short period, though. Various hypotheses crossed Mrs. Larson's mind even as Lewis sent her to purchase baby essentials. They left in a hurry just now and brought nothing with them.

Mrs. Larson sheepishly agreed and left, looking back at the baby every few steps she took, feeling unreal.

Josephine thought less about going to Quintin after she had Baron to play with. He was just too adorable and attracted her full attention. She brought him to the bedroom and watched him crawl on the bed. Baron was almost one year old. He could barely sit on his own, and standing was unmanageable for him still, as he would promptly lose his balance and fall.

Lewis went to the study and continued his work, leaving Josephine to play with Baron in the bedroom. Mrs. Larson noticed this when she returned two hours later and secretly exclaimed at how thoughtless Lewis was to allow Josephine to be alone with the baby.

Mrs. Larson kept the baby supplies she bought and passed several toys to Josephine. She tried teaching Josephine how to change Baron's diapers but gave up after a couple of attempts.

After receiving the toys, Josephine was even more intrigued. She turned a deaf ear to them when they asked her to take her dinner. In the end, she reluctantly went downstairs to have her dinner only after Baron had fallen asleep.

After her dinner, Lewis took her to take her shower, but she seemed restless.

Lewis noted that and pointed the showerhead at her. "He won't be awake so soon."

Josephine flinched from the water. She hugged herself and scowled at Lewis.

Lewis drew nearer, held her waist, and said in a low voice, "Let me show you another game."

Josephine looked at him, puzzled.

His fingers brushed against her waist and slowly went downward. Josephine lost her balance and grabbed his collar, looking at him vulnerably.

Lewis gazed at her through the mist in the bathroom. The muted lighting fell on her face and softened her features. Her eyes seemed to turn misty too. Lewis lowered his head and kissed her lips. "Close your eyes."

Josephine stared at him for two seconds before she slowly closed her eyes. The shower sounded clearer with her eyes closed.

She didn't know what "game" this was, but she didn't quite enjoy it.