Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 190: You Are Treated Better Than a Pet
Julian Grant rushed out of the hospital doors and immediately flagged down a taxi, "To the airport."
"Okay."
The scenery outside the car window sped by swiftly.
His fingertips were ice-cold, repeatedly rubbing Josephine Thompson’s number on the phone screen.
"Driver, please go faster." He urged a few times, with urgency almost spilling from his voice.
The taxi weaved through the traffic.
But Julian Grant’s heart felt like a stone suspended in mid-air, unable to come down.
He took out another spare phone and dialed a friend in Zarathos.
This was a friend he had met during his early years studying abroad, Harry, the son of a Zarathos oil tycoon.
He loved making friends.
One could say his friends are scattered all over the world.
"Hey, it’s me, Julian Grant." He spoke rapidly,
"Help me find someone, Josephine Thompson. She probably arrived in Zarathos yesterday afternoon. She flew from Caldwen; the flight number is..."
After providing the information.
He added, "She might be under the control of some bad people, you must find her whereabouts quickly, money is not a problem."
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by Harry’s calm voice, "OKOK, I’ll inform you as soon as I have news."
"Good, make sure it’s quick."
"Alright, I’ll try. As soon as there’s news, I’ll call you."
Hung up the phone.
Julian Grant leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.
"...Damn, I had foreseen something would happen, I should have gone with her!"
...
Arecace Island, Villa 9.
Josephine Thompson had been unconscious for over ten hours before finally waking groggily.
"Cough cough..."
The dryness in her throat pulled her back to consciousness.
Her eyelids felt heavy, as if glued shut, she exerted great effort to lift them a crack.
The room was very quiet.
Only the occasional sound of air flowing from the air conditioning vent, and... the faint sound of water from outside.
She moved her body.
Aching and heavy all over.
Struggling to sit up, the IV drip had been removed, leaving only a shallow needle hole on the back of her hand.
She uncovered the blanket and got out of bed, her feet touching the chilly floor. Only then did she realize her clothes had been changed into a soft silk nightgown, the fabric as slippery as water, but unable to warm the coldness in her heart.
"Cough cough... cough cough..."
Step by step, she moved to the window.
Her gaze passed through the thick curtains.
Outside was a large open-air swimming pool, the clear blue water shimmering under the sunlight, the edges bordered with dazzling white tiles.
Several bikini-clad maids were cleaning by the poolside, and in the distance, a man wearing sunglasses reclined on a deck chair, seemingly sunbathing.
A white lion rested at his feet, squinting its eyes as if dozing.
She extended her hand, her fingertips pressing against the cold glass, the chill from her palm instantly permeating to her limbs.
This was the cage Nathaniel Gallagher had built for her.
Even to catch a glimpse of the world outside, there must be such a cold barrier.
"...Nathaniel Gallagher, I was truly blind."
All past memories became mockery and falsehoods.
This was his true self.
And she, in the past, was really too naive. Actually believing Nathaniel Gallagher was a simple and upright good man.
She stood dazed at the window, as if in a dream.
Not knowing how long she had been standing there.
"Awake?"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her.
Josephine Thompson’s entire body stiffened, her fingertips popping off the glass, yanking her hand back as if scalded.
Nathaniel Gallagher, having appeared at the doorway somehow, wore a black bathrobe, his hair still damp, as if he had just come out of the pool.
He walked over to her, following her gaze to the pool outside, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and jest, "What are you looking at? Me or the scenery?"
Josephine Thompson did not turn around, her voice as cold as frost on glass, "...What exactly do you want."
"Nothing."
Nathaniel Gallagher’s gaze fell on her pale profile, "Just want you to stay by my side. Once you’ve had enough of this pool, I’ll build you a bigger one."
Josephine Thompson finally turned her head, hatred almost pouring from her eyes, "Nathaniel Gallagher, you think you can trap me like this?"
"Otherwise?" He chuckled lightly, reached out to grip her chin, forcing her to look at him, "You, your life, are in my hands now. Josephine Thompson, stop thinking about escaping, it’s useless."
Her chin hurt from the grip.
But Josephine Thompson bit her lip hard, refusing to make any sound.
Her gaze passed over Nathaniel Gallagher’s shoulder, returning to that glass wall, fixing on the dazzling blue beyond.
There was sunlight, freedom, but it seemed separated by an insurmountable chasm.
Yet a voice inside her shouted: Do not give up.
Even if confined here, even if he tortured her till she was broken, she couldn’t let herself be manipulated like a puppet.
At least, she still had hate.
Still had the desire to escape.
That was enough.
"Hungry? Come eat something!"
"I won’t eat, let me go..."
Nathaniel Gallagher, seeing this, furrowed his brows slightly.
A shadow flashed across his face, but quickly returned to a mocking smile, "Don’t be so stubborn, if you starve yourself, I’ll be the one who’s hurt."
His voice carried false gentleness as he reached out wanting to touch Josephine Thompson’s cheek, but she turned away to evade.
"Put away your hypocrisy, Nathaniel Gallagher, I’m disgusted." Josephine Thompson gritted her teeth, speaking word by word, her eyes undisguisedly loathing.
Nathaniel Gallagher withdrew his hand, not angry, but laughed softly, "Hate me all you want, Josephine. Hate is also a profound emotion; it means you still have me in your heart."
He spoke while bringing a delicately crafted pastry from the table, slowly walking toward Josephine Thompson, "Here, try a bite, it used to be your favorite."
Josephine Thompson turned her head away, unwilling to look at him, "As I said, I won’t eat, don’t waste your effort."
Nathaniel Gallagher’s eyes darkened and he returned the pastry to the table.
"Don’t force me, Josephine Thompson. My patience is limited, be obedient, it’s good for you, and your grandfather."
At the mention of her grandfather.
Josephine Thompson’s body suddenly went rigid, panic flashing in her eyes.
"What have you done to my grandfather?"
Nathaniel Gallagher’s mouth curled into a smug smile, "Seems you haven’t forgotten your grandfather. As long as you stay with me, I assure his safety. But if you continue to disobey..."
He deliberately paused, without continuing, but the threat was clear.
Josephine Thompson bit down on her lip, filled with anger and helplessness.
She knew Nathaniel Gallagher was capable of anything.
And her grandfather was her only weakness."
What do you actually want?"
"It’s simple, stay with me, like before." Nathaniel Gallagher released her shoulder, lightly brushing the hair by her ear, "Forget about Julian Grant, forget the thought of leaving me; once you do, I’ll spoil you as before."
Josephine Thompson sneered, "Spoil me? You really see me as a pet?"
Nathaniel Gallagher gave a wicked smile, stepping forward, encircling her waist with his arm, "Ha~ No, no, no, you have treatment better than a pet."
"At the very least, I’ll spoil you more."
After speaking.
He couldn’t resist forcibly lifting her up, his breath becoming uncontrollably heavy...
