Chapter 19 Call Him Darling
Josephine bought only that dress and returned to the mansion.
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As she knew Michael had spent the previous night with Winry, she planned to find a chance to leave. However, he insisted on celebrating her birthday and even hund Jarvan and Zendaya help prepare everything. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse their kindness.
When she arrived at the mansion, the aroma of delicious food had already filled the living room, Zendaya was bustling around the kitchen.
Seeing how overwhelmed she was, Josephine stepped in to help.
Zendaya quickly stopped her, saying, “Mrs. Jaywalker, you can’t do a servant’s work.”
and
Josephine smiled as she took a bowl. “What servant? We’re all part of the family! I’ve done plenty of hard work back in the countryside, so it’s no big deal.”
Seeing she couldn’t stop her, Zendaya relented and let Josephine assist.
By evening, Josephine had already made several dishes. She also learned from Zendaya that Michael had undergone heart surgery and often suffered from chest hightness and irritability. With this in mind, she -specifically prepared a bowl of healthy pumpkin soup.
The table was laid out with a sumptuous feast, and a beautiful birthday cake was placed at the center.
“Mrs. Jaywalker, happy birthday.” Jorvan pulled out a teddy bear as if by magic and handed it to
warm smile.
It was his gift for Josephine..
her with a
Jorvan had served Ronald’s generation, and three generations of his family had worked for the Jaywalker family. Even Michael held great respect for him.
Josephine, who had always been bullied by the Sommer family due to her mental condition, had earned Jorvan’s sympathy. He saw her as a good and kind–hearted girl.
“Thank you,” Josephine softly said as she took the teddy bear, hugging it to her chest with a warm smile,
Ever since her mother passed away, she hadn’t celebrated her birthday.
Her father threw birthday parties for her two elder sisters every year but never remembered her birthday.
On her twelfth birthday, her bedridden grandfather, Ryan suddenly fell critically ill. In the pouring rain, she went into the city to ask her father for money to pay for treatment, only to find the Sommer family hosting a party to celebrate Winry’s birthday belatedly after her three–month trip abroad.
Winry, dressed like a princess, stood in the center of the crowd. Meanwhile, Josephine stood in the rain, lucked outside by Eurice for three hours. Her hands were sore from knocking on the door, but no one let her in. Finally, her father came out, threw a hundred at her feet, and coldly told her to go back to the countryside so she wouldn’t disgrace the Sommer family.
The money wasn’t enough. Josephine had to pawn her mother’s belongings to buy medicine and return to the countryside. But by the time she arrived, it was too late. Ryan had already passed away.
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Chapter 19 Call Him Darling
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That night, laughter echoed through the Sommer residence while Josephine knelt beside her grandfather’s cold body, crying until dawn.
Since then, Josephine had stopped celebrating birthday
Today, however, Zendaya had been busy the entire afternoon. Jorvan had even bought a cake and a teddy bear. They truly wanted her to have a happy birthday, and she didn’t want to reject their goodwill.
“Mrs. Jaywalker, blow out the candles,” Jorvan said.
Josephine glanced at the time. “Michael isn’t back from work yet.”
“Josic, you’re Mrs. Jaywalker now. You should call him Darling” Zendaya teased with a grin.
Josephine’s cheeks turned red.
“Well, I’ll wait for Mr. Jaywalker to come back before we eat.”
Having only known Michael for two days, she couldn’t bring herself to call him ‘Darling.”
Jorvan and Zendaya exchanged a knowing glance and smiled quietly.
The young couple was still unfamiliar with each other, and they decided to create opportunities for them to bond.
Josephine went upstairs and changed into one of the dresses Michael had picked for her. She then returned to the dining room.
Time ticked by, but Michael still hadn’t returned. By ten o’clock, there was no sign of him.
Hoping to give the couple some alone time, Zendaya and Jorvan had disappeared somewhere.
Josephine sat alone in the dining room, sipping soup to stave off hunger while continuing to wait for him.
At some point, exhaustion took over, and Josephine fell asleep at the dining table.
It was late at night when the mansion’s door was pushed open quietly.
Michael stepped in. His tall frame, dressed in a black suit with a thin trench coat, exuded a cold, aloof aura as he brought in the chill of the night. His noble and restrained demeanor carried an air of unattainable distance.
He was heading upstairs when he noticed Josephine sleeping at the dining table and stopped in his tracks.
The dishes on the table had gone cold, untouched. Even the cake remained intact. She had been waiting for him all this time.
He walked over, placing both hands on the table, and studied the sleeping girl.
Josephine had changed into a pink dress, one of the ones he had chosen. She must have wanted to show it
to him.
The soft candlelight bathed her fair, delicate face in a warm glow. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her long eyelashes occasionally quivered, and her jet–black hair, cascading over her shoulders without any adornment, made her annear ventle and endearing.
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Chapter 19 Call Him Darling
Michael’s gaze lingered on her. She was unlike the other women he encountered.
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No matter how well they masked their intentions, the way they looked at him was always filled with desire of one kind or another. But Josephine’s eyes were clear like unblemished crystals.
Michael had been in a foul mood, which was why he came home late and had even forgotten her birthday.
Last night, he hadn’t experienced any of his usual symptoms and had optimistically thought his condition was improving. However, a follow–up at the hospital showed no changes.
The doctors still couldn’t pinpoint the cause of his condition and suggested psychological treatment and artificial insemination.
Michael couldn’t accept it. It wasn’t that he disliked women or had any physiological issues. He simply couldn’t understand why his body was the way it was.
That car accident eight years ago had left him gravely injured and in a coma for two months. During that time, something had gone wrong, something that had forever changed his life.
The hospital records had been destroyed in a fire, leaving him with no answers.
What on earth had he done in his past life to deserve such a severe punishment from the heavens
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