What Separates Me and You

After watching the video for approximately two minutes, Lewis snatched the phone away and paused it. "You haven't fully recovered and can't play this game."

Josephine was puzzled. "I'm fine now."

"Are you a doctor?"

Josephine shook her head as she crawled toward Lewis. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "I'm bored. Come, let's play."

"No."

"You're annoying!" Josephine glared at him, peeved. She let him go and muttered, "I'll find someone else to play with."

Lewis' eyes changed, and he abruptly pulled her back. Grabbing her chin, he asked, "What did you say?" His grip on her chin was intense, and Josephine's cheeks puffed out like a puffer fish. Her eyes widened, and Josephine spewed out a word, "Painful."

Lewis challenged frostily, "I dare you to play that game with someone else."

Josephine hit his arm angrily. "Let go of me. It's painful!"

Lewis' eyes bore into her. After several moments, he shut his eyes, exhaled, and released his grip. Then, he tidied up everything on the bed before he left the room.

Josephine glared after him indignantly. This man wasn't as kind as she first thought he was. She would get her father to fire him!

Josephine was now reluctant to interact with Lewis after he confiscated everything and shouted at her. She was still pissed when it was time for dinner and poked at the plate with her cutlery, expressing her anger. Lewis glanced at her and ignored her antics, letting her sulk as much as she wanted.

After dinner, Mrs. Larson took over the duty to bathe Josephine. When she returned to the bedroom in her pajamas, she saw Lewis scrolling his phone on the sofa. She then deliberately stomped her feet as she walked to attract his attention. When he finally looked up, she snorted at him before climbing into bed and wrapping the blanket around her.

Lewis glimpsed at the mound under the blanket and paused. Then, he continued looking at his phone.

His men in Hardington had found the man he was looking for.

His subordinate called, and Lewis went to the window to answer it.

"Mr. Alvarez, his name is Steward Vance. He used to work as Joseph's assistant. Should we take him to you?"

"Yes, keep a sharp eye on him. If anything happens to him on your way back, I'll have your heads."

"Yes, sir..."

Lewis hung up and looked back at the bed. Josephine was peeping out from under the blanket. Their gazes met as he turned his head all of a sudden. Realizing he had found her out, Josephine immediately shrank back under the blanket.

She heard footsteps approaching and blinked, thinking about what he must say for her to forgive him. But then the footsteps grew distant. Josephine poked her head out from the blanket again and saw Lewis leaving the bedroom, shutting the door after him.

Her temper flared. This bodyguard of hers truly was infuriating! She must fire him!

None of her previous bodyguards dared to defy her, but Lewis had always been on her nerves. Besides, he had the audacity not to coax her. Josephine was so upset she didn't sleep the entire night, and that man didn't enter the bedroom even once too.

He was also gone by the time Josephine got out of bed for breakfast. She stirred the food in her bowl with her spoon. Her anger had accumulated over the night and was on the verge of eruption.

Mrs. Larson observed her seething expression and explained, "Madam, Mr. Alvarez has been busy these few days, so he left early."

"Hmph! I don't even want to see him anyway."

Mrs. Larson knew she wasn't saying that from her heart and laughed sheepishly. "Hurry up and eat, Madam. You'll get an ice cream after this."

Josephine's anger simmered down at the word "ice cream."

At that moment, someone knocked on the front door. Mrs. Larson hurried over to open it.

It was Avery. However, Mrs. Larson didn't recognize her, so she didn't let her in. "Hello, may I know who you're looking for?"

Avery looked past her. "I'm looking for Josephine Vance."

"Oh..."

Avery added, "I'm her friend, and I've already informed Lewis. You can call him for clarification."

Mrs. Larson let her in after she said that, but she still called Lewis just in case, who merely replied, "Let her in."

Avery was already in. She found Josephine in the dining hall, hesitating in her stride as she recalled that Josephine had forgotten about her.

Josephine finished her breakfast and got up to get an ice cream from Mrs. Larson when she saw Avery. "Hm?" Josephine sized up this newcomer who appeared out of nowhere inquisitively. "Who are you?" Avery's heart sank after hearing that, even though she was mentally prepared. She forced a smile and walked toward Josephine. "Have you forgotten about me? I'm your friend, Avery Green." Josephine tilted her head and looked her up and down. Then she shook her head. "I don't recognize you."

"It's fine. Let's start all over." Avery extended a hand. "Hello, my name is Avery Green."

Josephine stared at her briefly. She couldn't differentiate whether Avery was a boy or a girl, but Avery looked pretty, and Josephine had great acceptability for pretty things and humans. She then extended her hand and grabbed Avery's, beaming radiantly. "Sure, sure! We're friends now."

Avery observed Josephine's naive behavior, her smile fading slightly as sadness crept into her eyes. Emotions swirled like a whirlwind within her, grappling with Josephine's memory loss. The distress those memories caused Josephine made Avery wonder if she ever viewed her predicament as a blessing in disguise. However, uncertainty lingered, leaving Avery unsure of the true impact.

But what an advantage that gave Lewis! He inflicted so much pain and anguish on Josephine, yet Josephine returned to his side in glee after forgetting about everything. He could start anew with her effortlessly. That jerk had truly struck a bargain.

Josephine had been bored out of her mind these days. She had no friends to talk to, so she was delighted when Avery claimed to be her friend. She dragged Avery along, sharing her ice creams with her. Avery was different from Lewis, who was edgy when she offered him an ice cream-Avery finished the ice cream with poise. They even discussed the story of the animation they watched, and Avery demonstrated her drawing skills as she drew the animation's characters. In the end, she received a look of adoration and passionate treatment from Josephine.

Josephine stuck both thumbs up at her while exclaiming, "Avery, you're awesome!"

"This is for you." Avery gave Josephine the notebook on which she drew the characters.

Exhilarated, Josephine enthusiastically accepted it and pulled Avery into a bear hug. "Thank you, Avery. You're my best friend!" she exclaimed.

Avery patted her on the back smilingly.

When they released each other, Avery's gaze fell on Josephine's flat tummy, and she grew downcast.

Josephine noticed it and lowered her eyes, checking out her shirt. "Do you like this shirt too?"

Avery regained her senses and forced a smile. "Yeah. Where did you buy it? It looks gorgeous."

"Lewis bought it. I have more. Come, let me show you." Josephine led her upstairs, adding, "I have many pretty clothes."

"Don't rush, will you?"

Mrs. Larson watched them and couldn't help but sigh.

Josephine hadn't taken a nap since Avery came, and that was a piece of good news. She relayed her findings to Lewis.

Lewis was on the mountain when he received her message-his subordinates had brought Steward to him.