What Separates Me and You

Their eyes met, and Lewis' silence cut through Josephine's heart like a sharp blade.

It made her feel that all her previous efforts to hide the truth, and her subconscious belief that he didn't know anything, were laughable.

She wanted to say something but realized there was nothing left to say between them. Before she could speak, tears welled up in her eyes. After a prolonged silence, Lewis suddenly let go of her and lay beside her.

"It's only natural if you hate me."

Josephine turned her back to him. "Hate is an emotion too. I don't hate you. I blame myself for being too naive."

She was devastated. She didn't hate Lewis. She simply didn't want to waste any emotion on him.

Without saying anything, Lewis sat up.

He stared at the curled-up figure beside him, his gaze complicated.

After a long while, he spoke, "You can't do it."

Josephine was stunned.

She clenched the pillow as she stared at the reflection in the window.

Slowly, she released her grip, her voice calm, "I can."

Lewis chuckled. "Then let's see."

Josephine sensed the danger in his words and turned her head abruptly. "What are you trying to do?"

Lewis' fingers touched her face. He gently tucked strands of hair behind her ear. "It's not that hard to make someone hate you. Don't you think so?"

His tone was casual, as if they were exchanging small talk. Yet his words sent shivers down Josephine's spine.

She stared at him intently, her breath becoming rapid.

She tried to calm herself down. Suddenly, she realized this man was a lunatic.

He was erratic. Whenever Josephine tried to hurt him emotionally, he would only mock her. It was as if the wounds she inflicted weren't deep enough. With this thought in mind, Josephine changed the subject.

She diverted the topic. "I've met Sierra."

Lewis leaned against the headboard, retrieved a cigarette, and lit it. He didn't seem interested in pursuing this topic either.

"I know."

Josephine gazed at the swirling smoke before her. The man's expression became even more inscrutable.

She continued, "She told me you agreed to be in a relationship with her to repay her for saving your life. I know you're not that kind of person. So, why did you agree?" Lewis quietly smoked and spaced out. He remained silent for a long time.

When Josephine began to think he wouldn't answer, he suddenly spoke.

"I wanted to fall in love with someone else."

Josephine's heart skipped a beat at his words. She didn't want to hear the rest of his answer. She even regretted asking the question.

However, it was too late.

Lewis continued, "Whether it's Sierra, Sienna, Sarah, or Sydney, it's all the same. She just happened to be the person."

He reached out and flicked the cigarette ash onto the bedside table before saying casually, "It seems like I failed."

He stared at the half-smoked cigarette in his hand. The spark glowed intermittently.

His gaze seemed distant. He felt like he saw a scene from seven years ago through the smoke.

"I heard you went to race for Josie. You even got yourself injured. Lewis, this is outrageous."

Leaning against the headboard, he chuckled. "But I'm not dead yet. Where's Josie? Why haven't I seen her? Did Mom punish her again? It has nothing to do with her..." "Shut up!"

Alan interrupted him fiercely. His aging face displayed both anger and helplessness.

After a long pause, Alan suppressed his emotions and said, "Lewis, it seems you have become overly attached to that girl."

A hint of confusion flashed across Lewis' eyes. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. I was joking when I said I would let Josephine marry you when I brought her back. I didn't mean it seriously. You didn't take it seriously, did you?" Lewis furrowed his brows slightly and looked away. "I didn't know."

Sitting down beside him, Alan let out a sigh. "I've seen how well you treat her. I owe it to her, so it's only right that you treat her well. There's nothing wrong with liking someone, but you must control yourself and not get too deeply involved.

"Remember, there's no one more important than yourself in this world. You're the heir of the Alvarez family. The future of the entire family will rest in your hands. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment. "Otherwise, you'll end up with nothing, including her."

Lewis looked at Alan. "Grandfather, I don't understand. Is there any secret about her?"

Alan sighed, a rare hint of sadness appearing on his imposing face.

"When I was young, I made some mistakes. Now it's too late to regret them. I found that girl under her mother's corpse. I killed her mother."

The words hit Lewis like a thunderbolt, leaving him stunned and overwhelmed.

"W-What?"

Alan looked at Lewis. "Yes, you heard it right. I don't know if Josephine really lost her memories or if she's only pretending. But we can't just kill her after raising her for so long.

"So, Lewis, you should think carefully. Even if she really lost her memories, there will come a day when she remembers. Imagine how you'll face her then.

"The outcome between you two is almost predictable. You're intelligent. You must have thought about this, right? Instead of ending up with an empty basket in the end, it's better to take decisive action now. Don't let yourself be defeated in the end."

Alan gazed at him deeply. "You know what I admire most about you? You're strong, ruthless, and you have the same demeanor as I did in my youth. Despite your usual modesty and politeness, I know you carry a wild beast within.

"I don't believe you're completely indifferent to those rumors and gossip. I also don't believe that your desperate efforts to gain our approval are only for the sake of shutting up those who talk behind your back. "And I never believed that you're willing to remain in the shadows, content with being an illegitimate child hidden from public view.

"I don't care about one's background. I only look at one's strengths and abilities. It's precisely because of this that I think you're stronger than your father. So, Lewis, don't let me down.

"So many people are waiting to see you fail, and you know that. With that said, you need to weigh your options yourself."

As Lewis listened to his grandfather's words, his faze flickered.

His fingers slowly clenched, and the tendons on the back of his hand stood out. Blood seeped from the wound on his arm, but he couldn't feel the pain.

Alan noticed his reaction and remained silent for a moment. He patted his shoulder and got up to leave.

"The doctor said you need at least a month of rest in the hospital for your injuries. There's plenty of time, so think carefully about what you really want." When Alan reached the door, Lewis asked, "Why did you do that?"