Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 181: Just Think of It as Taking a Break

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Just Think of It as Taking a Break

Inside the bathroom.

Josephine Thompson leaned against the wall to steady herself as a sudden and intense bout of dizziness washed over her.

Instinctively trying to grab the showerhead, she failed to hold on, causing it to clatter heavily against the tiles.

"I’m okay..." she said, her voice slightly shaky.

Just after she spoke.

Another wave of vertigo hit her, her knees buckled, and she swayed to the side.

Outside the door.

Julian Grant heard something was off in her voice, and his heart clenched.

Without regard for propriety, he immediately turned the bathroom door handle.

Pushing the door open, he entered the bathroom.

He saw Josephine sliding down the wall.

The towel wrapped around her body slipped down, her fair skin faintly visible, dazzling white.

But he ignored everything else, rushing over in a few steps to catch her.

"Josephine, what’s happening? Is it dizziness?" He knelt halfway down, carefully pulling her into his arms.

His other hand touched her forehead; the temperature felt normal, no fever, "The doctor said no more than ten minutes."

Josephine leaned against his chest, closed her eyes, and after a moment, nodded hoarsely, "Maybe... a little low blood sugar, I just suddenly felt dizzy."

Julian’s throat turned dry, and he quickly pulled the towel around her to cover her up.

Then, he carried her out.

As he lifted her, his heart began to race, wild and chaotic.

She was so light and soft, as if she had no bones.

Like a silicone doll with a perfect texture, pliable into any shape, arousing an overwhelming urge to ravage and possess.

No wonder Nathaniel Gallagher would lose control and act so perverted...

If it were him, he might be even more extreme, more frenzied.

Back in the bedroom.

Julian gently laid her on the bed.

But his arms could not bear to leave her.

He was leaning too low.

His foot slipped, causing him to fall heavily on top of her.

"Uh..." Josephine moaned dizzily.

"Josephine..." Julian’s breath hitched, tentatively leaning in to kiss her.

Josephine felt a surge in her chest, instinctively dodging his lips, weakly trying to push him away.

"Get up!"

As she avoided him.

Her slender, swan-like neck was completely exposed, her delicate jawline as sharp as a blade.

Julian held back for a few seconds before losing control.

Unable to resist, he kissed her jaw, then moved on to a passionate, fierce kiss.

"Mm..." Josephine stiffened, like a startled bird.

"Julian, stop that."

Engulfed in emotion, Julian kissed her greedily, "Josephine, don’t reject me anymore, okay?"

"I’ve waited too long, we can’t keep missing each other..."

Josephine was panicked, "No, let me go."

"You still refuse?"

Josephine looked resisting, "Yes, I refuse. Get up, you said so yourself, if you keep doing this, I’ll really get angry."

Julian’s kiss halted abruptly at her neck.

His scorching breath sprayed on her earlobe, carrying his uncontrolled heat.

He feared truly angering her, and he didn’t want to force her.

He wanted to be with her willingly.

"Let go." Josephine pushed him away with all her might, full of resistance.

Julian lifted his head, the emotion in his eyes still surging, the veins on his temple taut, his Adam’s apple moving several times, "I’m sorry..."

He propped himself up to rise.

Yet, because of the earlier distraction, he swayed, his elbow accidentally hitting the edge of the bed, making him groan in pain.

This incident indeed brought him some clarity.

He endured the discomfort and hastily moved off her, retreating to the edge of the bed, his breath still trembling slightly.

That momentary loss of control nearly scared her.

Josephine clutched the towel around herself tightly, shrinking back, her chest heaving wildly.

She was not unaware of his feelings.

But...

Her mind was a jumbled mess, not at all prepared to start a new relationship.

Moreover.

Although she studied abroad, her thoughts were extremely traditional and conservative. Even when with Nathaniel Gallagher, it was only on their wedding night that they had their first sexual encounter.

Even though she was now divorced.

It didn’t mean she would lower her principles and boundaries.

"I..."

Julian wanted to say something to explain, opened his mouth but found his throat tight, only able to awkwardly avert his gaze, "I’ll... I’ll go get you some water."

He almost fled to the outside lounge.

Grabbing the cold kettle on the table, he downed more than half a bottle, the icy water sliding down his throat, finally quenching the burning agitation within him.

Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and cursed himself a bastard.

She had just come back from the brink of death, still weak, and he almost took advantage of her.

...

In the hospital room.

Josephine sat up wrapped in the towel, her fingertips trailing over the spot on her neck where he had kissed, the skin still tingling with warmth.

She wasn’t unmoved.

From the cave at Mount Aethel to the watchful care at the hospital.

She saw everything he did.

But the shadow Nathaniel had left remained, and she was terrified of such loss of control, more afraid of being dragged into the abyss again.

Julian stood outside for almost ten minutes.

He went to the bathroom to douse his head with cold water.

Only then did he manage to suppress the turmoil and lack of control within him.

Twenty minutes later.

Julian steadied his emotions, holding a cup of water, and re-entered the hospital room.

He placed the cup on the bedside table, speaking softly, with a careful hint of apology, "I’ve left the water here, if you get thirsty... call me."

Josephine didn’t turn her head, nor did she respond.

Standing by the bed, looking at her frail figure, his heart felt blocked, both sour and bitter.

He knew he couldn’t rush it.

But at that moment, the resistance in her eyes pricked his heart like needles.

She still didn’t trust him.

Or perhaps, she wasn’t ready to accept him, or she was still thinking about that bastard Nathaniel Gallagher.

"Josephine, I... I didn’t mean it."

He wanted to say "I won’t do it again," but feared speaking too definitively might make her even more anxious.

"Rest well, I’ll be right outside watching over you."

"..." Josephine’s face turned red, even more silent.

She wanted to say something, but couldn’t utter a word.

"Rest well, give yourself a break."

He gently pulled the partition curtain between the room and the lounge. Leaving just a gap, so he could see her figure, but not make her feel watched.

Inside the curtain.

Josephine listened to his footsteps fade away, then slowly turned, looking at the cup of warm water on the bedside table.

The vapor blurred the fingerprints on the cup wall, just like the complex emotions in his eyes earlier—panic, guilt, and an unmistakable hint of loss.

She reached out, her fingertips barely touching the rim, and her eyes quietly reddened.

Maybe.

She should try... to take a step forward?

But that step was so difficult.

She suddenly remembered Mrs. Grant’s mocking sarcasm, her face full of disdain.

A fleeting emotion surged in her heart, only to be extinguished quickly.

Even if she accepted Julian Grant.

His family would never agree to them being together.

So, perhaps she should let it go!

...

"Buzz... buzz... buzz..."

Julian Grant’s phone kept vibrating.

He glanced at his phone.

There were already hundreds of missed calls.

Calls from parents, grandparents, company shareholders, and executives...

"Ugh, this is so annoying," he muttered, not bothering to look at the phone again.

Josephine Thompson heard him and gently drew the curtain aside, "What did you say?"

Julian Grant: "Oh, not talking about you, I’m referring to my family."

Josephine Thompson: "You’ve been missing for so many days, your parents must be very worried. I’m mostly fine here now, you should go home and see them, don’t let them worry."

Julian Grant: "It’s fine, don’t worry about them. We’ll discuss it once you’re better."

Josephine Thompson: "I’m practically fine now. There’s actually no need for the trouble of bringing me to Caldwen for treatment."

"But, I still appreciate it."

Julian Grant: "Josephine, there you go again. Please, stop being so polite with me, and stop saying thanks."

"Besides, your safety is the priority. Work and everything else are secondary. You don’t need to push yourself so hard."

"I’m really okay now, book me a flight, I need to return to the team tomorrow."

"No way, the doctor said you need to stay in the hospital for at least a week. Also, the remnants of toxins in your body haven’t been fully cleared."

Josephine Thompson pursed her lips, her tone somewhat insistent: "The archaeological team can’t spare anyone..."

Julian Grant moved to the bedside, squatted down to eye level with her, speaking gently: "Josephine, consider giving yourself a break, alright?"

"Look at you, you’ve already become so skinny. Your body is already at its limit."

He lightly touched her hand back with his finger, and seeing she didn’t recoil, continued, "The archaeological team has Professor Warren and other team members; missing you for a few days won’t cause collapse. But if you go back now stubbornly and wear yourself out, how will you excavate more sites or solve more mysteries in the future?"

"..." Josephine Thompson felt a knot in her throat, her brow furrowing.

He’s right.

For more than half a year, she’s been with the archaeological team non-stop, never taking a break.

And it’s been half a year since she visited Grandpa.

Taking this opportunity, perhaps visiting Grandpa abroad would be good too.

Julian Grant kept rambling, "I know you can’t let go of those relics, but you must take care of yourself first. Don’t you always say ’Relics need protection’? You too need to be well protected."

"Alright, alright, I understand."

Seeing her wavering, Julian quickly added: "I’ve already had the assistant send the team’s real-time updates every day for you to see. A professional security team is guarding the tunnel, the bronze cup has been sent to Caldwen’s best artifact restoration room, and Professor Warren said when you’re better, they’ll video call to discuss details, okay?"

He paused, his voice carrying a subtle plea: "Just... stay here with me for a few days. I want to really look at you, not just in the dusty archaeological sites, or as you appear weak in the hospital, just... quietly, like now."

Josephine Thompson looked up, meeting his serious gaze.

There was no coercion, only worry and a bit of cautious hope.

"But..." She still wanted to say something, but Julian Grant interrupted.

"No ’but’.

He stood up, his tone regaining a bit of authority, but carrying warmth: "I’ve already scheduled a detailed examination with the doctor tomorrow; before the results are out, you’re not going anywhere."

"What would you like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen make it or take you to the restaurant downstairs. Their fish porridge is very mild and suitable for you now."

Josephine Thompson watched him busy himself, feeling touched inside.

In the end, she nodded: " ... Fish porridge, I guess."

Julian Grant’s eyes lit up instantly and he hurried out: "I’ll arrange it right away!"

Watching his back.

Josephine Thompson subconsciously touched her neck.

The heat there had long dissipated.

Yet her heart inexplicably warmed.

Perhaps, sometimes stopping isn’t so bad.

...

A week later.

Josephine Thompson’s body had mostly recovered.

The doctor allowed her to be discharged.

During these days.

Julian Grant stayed with her in the hospital, not going anywhere.

More commendably.

He actually started making simple soups and porridge, eager to cook for her.

On the discharge day.

Julian Grant picked her up, "Be careful, your flight to Zarathos is booked."

"Mm, thank you."

Julian Grant looked helpless and worried, "Josephine, how about waiting for me for two days? I’ll accompany you to Zarathos to see Grandpa. In these two days, my grandmother is undergoing heart bypass surgery; she dotes on me so much, I must accompany her in the hospital."

"Once my grandmother finishes the surgery, I’ll join you for Zarathos."

Josephine Thompson heard and looked worried, "Your grandmother is undergoing such a major surgery?"

"No need to accompany me to Zarathos; stay here and take care of your grandmother."

"Besides, I’ll come back immediately after visiting Grandpa in Zarathos, at most four or five days."

Julian Grant: "But, I’m really worried."

Josephine Thompson: "Don’t worry, I’ll take off from Caldwen airport, and someone will be there to meet me after landing. When I’m back, I’ll call you in advance."

"..." Julian Grant listened and still felt uneasy.

He wanted to be by her side at all times.

But with Grandma’s surgery imminent, he really couldn’t leave.

Josephine Thompson smiled, "I’m not a child, what is there for you to worry about?"

"Don’t worry, I will take good care of myself."

"... Alright then, I’ll book you a private jet to Zarathos, and send a few people with you."

"No need; I just want to stay incognito now and be as low-key as possible. This way, no one will recognize me; I’m just an ordinary passerby..."

While speaking.

"Click, click!"

A burst of flashing lights furiously snapped photos of the two.

A crowd of reporters emerged from nowhere, frantically snapping shots of the two.

"Miss Thompson, you’ve finally surfaced. Can we have a brief interview?"

"We’ve all been very concerned about your whereabouts these past six months. Could you briefly share where you’ve been during this time?"

"Miss Thompson, do you still have contact with Mr. Nathaniel Gallagher after your divorce?"

"It’s been heard that at Mr. Gallagher’s wedding, you presented a very special gift. Mr. Gallagher fainted after viewing it. We’re all curious, what exactly did you gift?"

"Click, click."

The reporters relentlessly surrounded Josephine Thompson and Julian Grant.

After all.

Josephine Thompson was currently the talk of Caldwen and Macau.

Since she disappeared, everyone speculated about her potential mishap.

And now...

She unexpectedly appeared in Caldwen.

This was undoubtedly a major traffic bomb, with reporters vying to interview and probing for news.