Chapter 19 For Her

• Josephine sat in her room. Her body ached and hurt so terribly that she could only lean there, unmoving. A bottle of medication was placed on the bedside table. How much longer do I have to live like this?
• Maverick sat inside the room, smoking. Did I act impulsively again after consuming alcohol? Just what kind of a woman is Jasmine? For the past few days, he had been wondering that question, and if it weren't for Flynn's appearance, he would've investigated her. However, Flynn's arrival had put a stop to those thoughts.
• Josephine took out her phone. Maverick had given the device to her. Apart from his contact, there wasn't anyone else's number saved in it. He truly wants to sever all my connections. It's been a week, so Flynn must be worried since he can't find me. I need to meet with him and clarify matters with him. I don't want Flynn to risk his promising future because of me, nor do I want him to lose his beautiful fiancée.
• Although Josephine had only caught a brief glimpse of Flynn's fiancée from afar, she could tell the latter was gorgeous and possessed an outstanding temperament and mature charm. She's a good match for Flynn, unlike me. I've been nothing but a burden that weighed Flynn down since childhood.
• Flynn had skipped classes for Josephine, fought with others for her, and worked to buy her delicious food. Hence, members of the Cheswick family despised her, and she had always known that.
• However, she was only an adopted daughter of the Quillen family. Josephine couldn't understand why Cliff had adopted her yet chose to neglect her. If he didn't want an extra daughter, why did he take her in? That had been something that baffled Josephine all along.
• She had never even addressed him as “Dad.” After her eighteenth birthday, Josephine thought she could finally leave the Quillen residence, a place that could hardly be called a home, but she ended up being caught up in the current circumstances because of Cliff.
• She couldn't refuse his request as she was soft-hearted and couldn't withstand Cliff's pleas. To repay the so-called favor of raising her, Josephine had to sell the rest of her life to Maverick – the leader of a Mafia group, a man no different from the devil.
• Maverick hadn't returned for three consecutive days. Josephine left her room and stood in the garden. Apart from the servants at the mansion, Maverick didn't arrange for bodyguards to restrict her freedom.
• Hence, she didn't have to leave the house discreetly either. She told Rosa she had to go out to attend to some matters and would return soon. This time, Josephine didn't ask Gordon to drive her. Instead, she went to a nearby bus stop and took a bus to the city center. As soon as she reached school, she ran into Connie and Lynette. “Josephine, you've finally shown up! Don't tell me you're quitting school just because you're being sponsored by a rich man? The homeroom teacher has been looking for you but couldn't reach you.” Lynette bombarded Josephine with a flurry of words as soon as she saw the latter.
• Connie tugged at Lynette. “Josephine, I'll speak to the homeroom teacher, and it'll be fine. Although, during your absence, a man named Flynn Cheswick came looking for you many times.”
• “Flynn came to school? What did he say?” If Flynn had come here, does that mean he went to the Quillen residence too and is now aware of what happened to the Quillen family?
• “That man was quite fine. From his branded suits, it looks like he's an elite of society. Don't tell me he's also your patron?” Lynette had never liked Josephine, especially since Josephine was good at her studies and was always praised by the teachers. In Lynette's opinion, Josephine was asocial, either spending her time cooped up in the library at school or working part-time jobs. Yet, a girl from an insignificant family like Josephine could still receive so much attention and affection from others.
• Lynette thought she wasn't that bad either, but Josephine had constantly outshone her and stole her limelight. Hence, she couldn't help but be displeased.
• Connie looked at Lynette. “Lynette, didn't that mister give you his business card?”
• Josephine received the card. Thank god! I didn't manage to save Flynn's number the other day before Maverick smashed my phone.
• “Thank you. I have something else to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave first. Can you help me request a few days off from the school?” Josephine couldn't attend her classes before she gained Maverick's permission.
• Connie nodded. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Josephine was facing some trouble. Still, since Josephine didn't mention it, Connie felt it was inappropriate for her to probe. After all, Josephine had always been a taciturn person.
• Josephine sat inside the coffee shop, clutching the business card in her hand. After pondering for a long time, she dialed the number.
• “Hello.” Flynn's voice sounded very professional, not as excited and worried as Josephine was expecting.
• “Flynn, it's me,” Josephine uttered in an undertone.
• He fell silent for a few moments as he glanced at Blossom, who was sitting on the couch, before replying, “What's the matter?”
• “Are you busy?” Josephine didn't want to disturb him during work, but she had to clear things up with Flynn that day. Otherwise, she might not get the chance to do so in the future.
• “Go on.” Flynn might've appeared calm, but complex emotions were actually churning in his chest.
• “Is it all right if I wish to meet with you? If you're busy, I can wait. I'll wait until you come.” Josephine could tell he might be busy at the moment as it sounded like he was facing inconveniences even talking to her on the phone.
• She told him the location of the coffee shop she was in and that she would wait there until he arrived. Josephine firmly believed Flynn would show up.
• Flynn's face seemed somewhat pale after he hung up the call. He was overwhelmed by the urge to meet with Josephine at once. What exactly happened over these past few days? He was worried sick. Josephine held a significant spot in his heart, and he could only rest assured when she was by his side.
• Blossom could sense something was amiss with Flynn after he received the phone call.
• “Flynn, what's the matter? Did something happen?” She walked up to him and scrutinized his distraught demeanor.
• He held her hand. “It's nothing, Blossom. If you feel bored sitting here, you can go shopping.”
• Blossom could tell he was trying to get rid of her. Is he doing this so he can go meet up with another woman? I won't let him get his way. This man can only be mine.
• “I don't find shopping alone fun. If you were to accompany me, then I might be interested.” Blossom nestled into his arms.
• Flynn put his arms around her slender waist. Blossom is a good woman, but Jojo has already won my heart long ago.
• “I'm working,” he answered, constantly making excuses to maintain a distance between them.
• She leaned forward to kiss his lips with her arms wrapped around his neck. The sensation of her lips was irresistible to any man, and Flynn was no exception.
• “Flynn, let's stay together in the mansion tonight, okay?” Although they were officially engaged, Flynn had insisted they live separately until they were married.
• He didn't respond. Instead, he gently ran his fingers through her hair and said, “Let me accompany you shopping, then.”
• Flynn was in no mood to work as all he could think about at that moment was Josephine.