What Separates Me and You

Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Teach a Lesson

“I need to make a move,” Lewis said as he walked away without even looking back.

This made Sierra so angry that she almost jumped up from the sofa. “Lewis!” she yelled, but he didn’t even turn back.

Sierra was fuming. She had just been discharged from the hospital, and this apathetic man didn’t even think of comforting her.

Lewis drove very fast to the restaurant, but when he got there, it was already closed for the day. He sat in his car, staring at the unlit restaurant in silence for a moment before taking out his phone to call Josephine.

The call couldn’t get through as her phone was switched off.

Feeling annoyed, he took out a cigarette and lit it. Taking a few puffs, he threw it out of the window before driving back to the mansion.

However, he didn’t find anyone in the mansion either. The bed was still neatly made, showing that Josephine had not come back.

Suddenly, Lewis remembered that he had frozen Josephine’s card. She probably didn’t even have the money for a taxi. How could she return to the mansion?

Thinking of this, Lewis called Conrad immediately as he walked out.

On Josephine’s side, she had just sent Mrs. Jinkins back to her home, which couldn’t even be considered a house. It was just a shed built on the frame of an abandoned car near the garbage dump.

According to Mrs. Jinkins, the metal frame was given to her by the owner of the garbage dump. He helped her build the shed out of pity for the poor woman’s plight.

With mixed emotions, Josephine placed the things she had bought from the convenience store in the shed. As she leaned inside, she smelled a putrid odor.

When Mrs. Jinkins turned on the solar–powered lamp hanging above, only then did Josephine notice how dirty the bedding underneath was. She gaped in surprise and looked at Mrs. Jinkins with an indescribable expression. Josephine’s heart ached when she remembered how Mrs. Jinkins had taught her how to write and fold origami, and even told her bedtime stories. The memories of Mrs. Jinkins’s loving care made Josephine’s eyes turn red.

Mrs. Jinkins didn’t deserve to end up in such a sorry state.

At that moment, Mrs. Jinkins wanted to reach out and touch Josephine, but her

withered hand was covered with dirt and grime. She timidly withdrew her hand.

Noticing her hesitation, Josephine grabbed her hand and sat down next to Mrs. Jinkins.

“It’s so dirty here. Don’t soil your beautiful clothes.” Mrs. Jinkins was probably reminded of her son and daughter–in–law. Her eyes were red as well.

Josephine bit her lip and gestured, “Mrs. Jinkins, from now on, I’ll take care of you.”

Tears shimmered in the old woman’s eyes as she squeezed out a forced smile.” There’s no need, you suffered under the Alvarez family as well. Now that I’m this old, just come and visit me when you have the time. You don’t need to take care of me.”

Josephine didn’t answer her. She tidied up the bed and gestured to the old woman,” Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“It’s too dirty, child. Don’t force yourself to stay here,” Mrs. Jinkins said, choking up again as she was filled with embarrassment and guilt. This place was so remote that there was no room for Josephine to stay the night.

Josephine shook her head. “It’s not dirty at all, your place is cleaner than anywhere else.” Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Mrs. Jinkins couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. However, her laughter had an underlying hint of grief and bitterness.

Josephine took off her shoes and lay down beside Mrs. Jinkins. She had spent all her money and had no money to get home. Moreover, her phone was dead.

It was too late for her to hail a taxi alone. Even if she managed to return home, she would be sleeping in a cold and empty mansion. She preferred to sleep here.

“What a foolish child.” In the darkness, Mrs. Jinkins sighed.

Even though the bedding smelt unpleasant, Josephine closed her eyes and fell asleep.

In the morning, she was awakened by the cold air.

Opening her eyes, Josephine turned around and saw the early light of dawn. spreading across the sky, casting a golden sheen over the buildings.

Mrs. Jinkins was already up and sitting on a rock outside, boiling a pot of water.

Josephine walked over and squatted down beside her. Mrs. Jinkins was cooking the eggs that she’d bought last night.

“Are you awake? Wait a minute, the eggs will be ready soon.”

Josephine smiled and nodded.

Lewis had been looking for Josephine all night. He had searched everywhere near the restaurant and along the way home, but still couldn’t find her.

His tie suddenly felt too tight against his neck, suffocating him. He tugged at his tie, but it was still bothering him. Finally, he undid his tie and flung it on the sofa.

Conrad stood on the side awkwardly. “President Alvarez, it is possible that Mrs. Alvarez will come back on her own.”

“Were you unable to find her as well?”

Conrad shook his head, “No, there was no surveillance on the road where she disappeared. However, we have a general idea of where she is. We have sent out men and she will likely be found soon.”

“What a foolish woman!” Lewis unbuttoned his shirt and sat down heavily on the sofa. “How dare she leave with a stranger!”

As Conrad didn’t want to lose his job, he gave Lewis a side glance and muttered under his breath, “Well, who’s at fault for leaving her at the restaurant all alone?”

“I’ll go out and look again,” Conrad said before leaving.

After finishing the eggs, Josephine left Mrs. Jinkins and walked to a nearby bus stop. Standing by the road, she recognized the men that Lewis had sent to look for her and got into the car.

When she returned to the mansion, the tension was palpable in the air. Josephine saw Lewis sitting on the sofa with a dark expression on his face, his messy hair unkempt. At this moment, his eyes were boring into her soul.

Everyone could see that Lewis was in a bad mood. Afraid to stay any longer, they left the mansion, leaving Josephine and Lewis alone.

Josephine bit her lip and took a step toward Lewis.

Before she could come any closer, he suddenly stood up. Josephine took a step back, frightened.

“Why are you avoiding me?” He grabbed her wrist and yanked her towards him. Seeing the fear in her eyes, he sneered, “What are you afraid of? Why weren’t you

afraid when you followed a stranger home?”

Josephine struggled frantically but she couldn’t break free from his iron grip. She couldn’t help but grimace from the pain.

Lewis stared at her dirty clothes and assumed that Josephine must have been fooling around.

Josephine gestured weakly, “It hurts!”

“Do you know what pain is?” Lewis clamped onto her wrist tightly, ignoring the fact that her skin had turned red. “How could you go along with anybody and follow them home? Don’t you know how dangerous that is?”

Josephine wanted to explain that it wasn’t just anyone, it was Mrs. Jinkins, the person who raised her.

However, Lewis restrained her hands and didn’t give her a chance to explain.

“You’re becoming more and more disobedient. It seems like I need to teach you a lesson.”

Josephine widened her eyes when she heard his words, struggling instinctively.

Lewis dragged her towards the staircase. Josephine realized what he was planning. to do and struggled even harder.

She grabbed onto the sofa, but she was easily dragged away.

Lewis kicked a door open and threw Josephine into the storage room.

“Stay put and reflect on your actions. I’ll let you out when you learn your lesson.”

Josephine scrambled to her feet and rushed to the door. She grabbed onto the doorframe and shook her head desperately.

The storage room was a nightmare that had traumatized her.

Lewis was the one who rescued her from it, and now he was going to lock her inside?

Josephine’s eyes pleaded for mercy, but Lewis ignored her. No matter how she struggled, he grabbed the doorknob and closed the door heartlessly.

In an instant, darkness enveloped her. The fears buried deep in her memories rushed over her like a wave.

Josephine fumbled with the door lock, but it was locked from the outside.

She pounded on the door with her fists, but Lewis did not respond.

The feeble sounds Josephine made were unable to express even a tenth of her despair.

Josephine collapsed on the door weakly, wishing that she could tell Lewis that she

was really frightened.