What Separates Me and You



Conrad was driving. He felt his hands trembling on the steering wheel.

He wished he could be deaf and not hear anything right now.

While driving with one hand, Conrad reached into his pocket for his earphones and phone. He played a calming song.

The sound coming from his earphones gave Conrad an unprecedented sense of security.

Avery and Quintin had already been transferred to a bigger hospital in the city. The location was quite far. Since Conrad drove slowly, the 40-minute journey took an hour and a half.

During this hour and a half, Josephine didn't know how she managed to get through.

Dominated by the man beside her, she felt numb.

She couldn't distinguish whether Lewis was humiliating her or conquering her.

Perhaps, it was a bit of both.

Removing his earphones, Conrad swallowed nervously. Then, he said, "Chairman Alvarez, we've arrived."

With that, he quickly opened the car door and made an excuse to leave. "I'll go buy some gifts first."

Silence filled the car. Disheveled, Josephine huddled in her seat. Her face and neck were all red. It was hard to tell whether she was embarrassed or angry.noveldrama

On the other hand, the man beside her was perfectly put together. He looked completely different from her.

"I thought you wanted to see Avery. Why are you still here?" Lewis lit a cigarette and then rolled down the window to smoke.

The smell of smoke tickled Josephine's nose. Her throat also began to itch. She covered her mouth and started coughing. She closed her eyes to calm herself down and sat up. Then, she lowered her head and adjusted her clothes. Lewis glanced at her. Her messy hair almost covered her entire face.

She pulled up the zipper of her dress. Without sparing Lewis a glance, she pushed open the car door and stepped out. The moment she exited the car, her legs felt weak. She grabbed onto the door to avoid falling.

She wanted to visit Avery but didn't know which ward she was in.

Lewis finished smoking one whole cigarette in the car before finally getting out.

He walked over to Josephine and suddenly extended his hand. Josephine flinched.

Amused, he laughed. "Am I really that terrifying?"

Josephine's fingers tightened around the car door, her knuckles turning slightly white.

Did he still think of himself as kind and approachable?

Lewis touched her face and tidied her hair. Her hair wasn't as long as before, so it tended to get messy easily.

"Anyone can tell what happened if you go up like this."

Upon hearing his words, Josephine stiffened. She dared not move.

After he finished fixing her hair, he tidied her clothes as well. Throughout the process, he behaved just as he used to.

He did what he used to do as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Josephine stared at his face, and he remained as composed as ever.

Suddenly, Josephine chuckled.

Lewis' movements paused. "What are you laughing at?"

Josephine looked at him and said, "I'm laughing at you for pretending to be dumb. You're no different from the past me."

Since yesterday, he had been playing dumb, deluding himself and pretending he was still the winner.

No matter what she said, he acted as if nothing had happened and he hadn't heard a thing.

Even if he was angry, he didn't show it. It was like showing anger would mean he had lost.

It was as if they wouldn't be able to make up if he gave in.

Yet, in reality, things would never be the same anymore.

What he had said when they got married back then was right.

He told her not to fall in love with him, but how did he end up breaking his words first?

As much as Josephine once yearned for his love, she now felt equally suffocated. She would rather he never had any feelings for her.

Lewis gazed at her silently, not revealing any emotions before Josephine.

After a while, he continued smoothing out the wrinkles on her clothes, his movements meticulous. "You're becoming quite eloquent." Josephine was confused.

"Lewis, what do you need in order to let me go?"

He answered her without hesitation, "Nothing is possible."

"Even if I hate you, does it not matter?"

Lewis lifted his gaze to meet hers. "You have the freedom to do that."

His fingers lightly brushed her cheek. Every touch of his was gentle. "Even if you hate me, don't think about running away. Otherwise, I don't mind breaking your legs and turning you back into the mute you once were."

Although his voice was gentle, his words were chilling. "Imagine hating me, yet still having to rely on me."

A smile tugged at the corners of Lewis' mouth. "That wouldn't be too bad."

Josephine didn't know how to respond to his words.

She felt a sense of indescribable numbness and powerlessness.

In her final desperate attempt, her voice was barely audible as she said, "What if I die?"

Lewis seemed to have expected her response. His voice was calm as he said, "You can try. But Josephine, I've come across some information. Your two brothers might still be alive. Do you ever want to see them before you die?"

Josephine's pupils trembled. Her eyes widened suddenly, but she quickly suppressed the excitement within her. She shook her head. "Are you trying to deceive me again? I won't believe you anymore!"

"You can choose not to believe me. Just think about it. If Steward and Alex could survive, why couldn't your two brothers be alive?"

Josephine opened her mouth but couldn't find a reason to argue with Lewis.

Deep down, she also hoped her two brothers were alive, even if Lewis was lying to her.

Lewis always knew how to give her hope and make her obediently comply with him.

Lewis continued, "There are so many people in your family. If your mother knew how to protect you before she died, don't you think someone else would do the same the protect your brothers?"

Jospehine's heart began to waver.

She was almost on the verge of being convinced.

Just then, Conrad returned with two fruit baskets and two bouquets of carnations in his arms. "Chairman Alvarez, I got the gifts."

Lewis glanced at him and ended the conversation. He held Josephine's hand and led her toward the hospital ward.

Josephine followed him in a daze. Her mind was jumbled up after she heard what Lewis said. A turmoil of emotions overwhelmed her.

It wasn't until they entered the elevator that she regained her composure.

Josephine looked at Lewis. "What else did you find?"

Lewis glanced at her sideways, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I'm not telling you."

"But..."

"If you behave well, I might consider telling you."

Josephine pressed her lips together. She scanned his face, trying to detect any trace of deception.

However, seeing his determined eyes, Josephine couldn't doubt the authenticity of his words.

She lowered her gaze to conceal her emotions.

If Lewis could discover such news, could Alex do the same?

Josephine's heart was in turmoil, and her mind a tangled mess. Thoughts overwhelmed her mind, giving her a splitting headache.

They arrived at Avery's ward when she was still lost in thoughts.

"Why are you guys here?" Tyler was alone in the room. He immediately stood up when he saw the two.

Josephine looked at Avery on the bed. The situation was worse than she had imagined.

Avery was still unconscious, her limbs in casts. She had a breathing mask, and her head was wrapped in bandages.

Seeing Josephine's gaze, Tyler reassured her, "Don't worry. The doctor said she is not in critical condition. She'll wake up soon."

Lewis walked over and took a seat nearby, giving Josephine the time to visit her friend.

Guilt surged within Josephine when she saw Avery's condition. Her eyes turned slightly red, and she looked at Tyler. "I'm sorry." "You don't have to..." Tyler paused. Surprised, he looked at Josephine. "You can speak now?"