What Separates Me and You

Curled inside the cabinet, Josephine buried her head in her knees. She was still wearing the same clothes as before, and the scent of dried blood created an unpleasant odor. Lewis slowly crouched down and placed his hand on her shoulder. He softly called out, "Josephine."

She didn't respond.

He nudged her a few times, and she collapsed to the ground.

Worry etched across his face. He immediately carried Josephine out of the closet.

"Chairman Alvarez, the doctor said you can't strain yourself!"

Lewis ignored him and carried Josephine to the bed. After placing her down, he asked someone to summon Dr. Halliday.

Dr. Halliday checked Josephine's pulse but couldn't feel anything, as usual. It took a while before he could occasionally feel a faint beat.

Finally, he resorted to an action that even he found ridiculous. He placed his fingers under Josephine's nose.

Although it looked ridiculous, it sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Conrad and Mrs. Larson stared in shock at the scene unfolding before them.

Lewis started coughing as he was too worked up. Blood slowly seeped from his hospital gown.

"Chairman Alvarez!" Conrad hurriedly approached and supported him. "Calm down. Mrs. Alvarez is going to be fine."

Lewis struggled to raise his head. He cast a deadly glare at Dr. Halliday.

Dr. Halliday felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly retracted his hand. "Sh-She's alive. She just fainted from hunger. I'll give her some saline solution."

"You..." Lewis was about to explode in anger, but the pain made his words falter.

Conrad glared at Dr. Halliday, "Go now!"

Trembling, Dr. Halliday scurried away to prepare the saline solution.

Conrad helped Lewis sit on the bed and consoled him, "Chairman Alvarez, you're too worked up. Take care of your injuries first. Otherwise, Mrs. Alvarez will be worried when she wakes up." Lewis sat there and panted heavily. The gunshot had really dealt him a severe blow.

Soon, Dr. Halliday returned to the room and started administering the saline solution to Josephine.

"It won't be long before she wakes up."

"Chairman Alvarez, you should go rest too."

Lewis raised his hand and gestured for them to leave.

Dr. Halliday wanted to re-bandage his wounds, but Conrad dragged him out of the room before he could speak.

The bedroom fell silent. Lewis sat by the bedside until the sun set.

When Josephine woke up, the room was dim. She stared at the familiar ceiling and closed her eyes weakly.

She was still alive.

A hunger strike was futile. Someone would just save her whenever she lost consciousness.

She closed her eyes, and images of what happened at the mountain filled her mind.

Seth aimed the gun at Lewis. She saved Lewis, and Lewis repaid Seth with a gunshot.

These scenes kept flashing through her mind. She felt ridiculous. She didn't know who exactly she was siding with.

Opening her eyes again, she turned her head and glanced at the needle on the back of her hand. With great effort, she lifted her hand and pulled the needle out.

While removing the needle, she saw the man beside her.

He was sitting right next to her with his head against the headboard. His eyes were closed. It seemed like he was asleep.

Josephine propped herself up. Although she was careful, she still managed to startle the man beside her.

A large hand grabbed her hand.

Slowly lifting her head, she locked eyes with the man's deep eyes. Without saying anything, he held onto her just like that. Once upon a time, Josephine had hoped he would stay and hold her like that.

But what did he do back then?

He forcefully shook her hand away.

Hence, Josephine tried to push him away, but she failed. Despite his injuries, he was still strong.

"Let go," she croaked weakly, her voice hoarse from hunger.

"Where are you going?"

"To the bathroom. Do you expect me to wet the bed?"

"Then wet the bed."

Josephine turned her head away, closed her eyes, and fell silent.

After a lengthy silence, she looked at him again. "Lewis, did you know I would save you? Was that why you approached us boldly?"

"I didn't know. I'll give you my life if you want to kill me."

He was also simply gambling. He could either bring Josephine back if he won or die in her hands if he lost. No matter what, it was worth it. Josephine let out a bitter laugh. "Will Alex come back to life if you give me your life?"

"His body hasn't been found yet. He might be alive."

Hearing this, Josephine struggled to break free from Lewis' grip. He wouldn't let go, so she used all her strength to free herself.

Eventually, Josephine broke down and cried in despair.

"Lewis, you liar! You always deceive me! I'll never trust you again!"

"All my loved ones died at the hands of your family. What am I supposed to do? Tell me, what should I do?"

Lewis remained silent. He refused to let go of his grip on her.

Josephine cried and laughed at the same time. "It's all my fault. I'm the one who deserves to die."

"I shouldn't have stayed alive. Why didn't your grandfather kill me back then?"

She grabbed Lewis tightly with her other hand, pouring all her strength and resentment into it as if she wanted to tear a piece of flesh from his arm.

"I should have died long ago. Just kill me, I beg you to kill me ..."

Lewis pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly.

She struggled frantically with her hands and feet.

Blood seeped from the man's chest. Josephine pressed her cheeks against Lewis' chest, and the smell of blood filled her nostrils again.

"Josephine, if I was the one who died, would you treat Seth the same way you're treating me now?" His hoarse voice came from above. It wasn't loud, but Josephine could hear him clearly. She gradually stopped struggling and broke down in his arms.

She dared not think about anything. She didn't know who was right or wrong now.

She felt extreme hatred when Seth jumped down. She hated Lewis and herself.

At this moment, she only felt like dying. She couldn't go on living. She wanted to escape from this world.

After crying for a long time, she had no strength left.

The smell of blood enveloped Josephine. The room was now completely dark, making it impossible for her to see anything.

"Lewis, you did it. I hate you."

Lewis gently ruffled her hair, his voice soft as he said, "It's okay, then hate me. I just want you to stay alive." Josephine smiled bitterly.

"Let go of me."

"I won't."

She was really exhausted. Her hand hung down weakly, and her heavy eyelids gradually closed.

Mrs. Larson knocked on the door. "Mr. Alvarez, the oatmeal is ready."

"Bring it in."

Mrs. Larson came in with the oatmeal. The room was too dark. She turned on the lights and almost dropped the tray at the sight of the bed.

Lewis was wearing the hospital gown he had returned in, and at the moment, half of his clothes were stained red with blood.

Despite that, he was still holding Josephine.

"Mr. Alvarez ..."

"Bring it here."

Mrs. Larson approached cautiously with the tray.

She watched as he gently laid the unconscious Josephine down. Josephine's newly changed clothes were dyed red with a large bloodstain.

Lewis seemed oblivious. He lifted the bowl of oatmeal and scooped a spoonful before feeding it into Josephine's mouth.

Some of the porridge dribbled from the corner of her mouth. Lewis took a tissue to wipe it away before continuing to feed her.

He put all his attention into feeding her until half of the bowl was empty.

He stood up to put the bowl on the tray. But before he could reach for the tray, the bowl slipped from his hand and shattered on the ground. He swayed and collapsed straight to the floor.