Chapter 9

Josephine remembered—it had already been a week. Julian had said he was busy, that they'd talk about the dog next week.

A few days ago, Josephine had spoken with Stella about it, mentioning she was thinking of getting a puppy.

Stella agreed right away.

There was a terrace just outside the attic, enough space for a dog to stretch its legs. If Josephine was going to take one in, she'd do it right: proper training, making sure it wouldn't bark too much or disturb the neighbors. And when she got busy, the dog could keep Julie company.

She'd been thinking a lot this past week. Not just because Julian had a girlfriend now. Even if he didn't, there was no future between them.

She'd just avoid his consultation room when she had to go to the hospital for Julie's checkups.

Fleuris City was a big city. She wouldn't run into him again. Not often, anyway.

Carrie glanced over at her, catching the faint furrow in her brows. "What's up? Something happened?"

"You free tomorrow?" Josephine asked. "I want to go to the pet shop. Get Julie a puppy."

"Done. See you in the morning."

The next morning, Carrie drove them to the pet shop.

A round, chubby beige puppy licked Josephine's fingers. It had tiny eyes, and it looked real sharp and clever.

She bought it and brought it home.

Julie was thrilled. She held it gingerly in her arms.

But Josephine noticed something else too. In her daughter's eyes, beneath the joy, was the faintest shade of disappointment. Because this wasn't the little stray she'd saved.

Some things couldn't be replaced.

"Julie, let's give it a name," Josephine said softly, brushing the hair off her daughter's forehead.

"Hmm…" Julie thought long and hard.

After tossing around a dozen ideas, they settled on Flossy.

Flossy was well-behaved. It adjusted to its new home right away.

Josephine bought supplies, and together, they set everything up.

Flossy was adorable. It liked curling up in her slippers at night. Every morning, before stepping out of bed, Josephine would instinctively feel around with her foot. Honestly, she was afraid of stepping on it.

That week, aside from one call she missed because she was busy, Julian never phoned again.

Life, with all its small obligations, pushed the thought to the back of her mind.

Until Wednesday.

Carrie clutched her stomach and pleaded her in desperation.

"Josephine, you free at lunch? My cramps are killing me. Can you do me a favor? This is the lunch Myra asked me to deliver to the cardiac clinic at Glenmarie Hospital, Room 2. It's for her boyfriend."

Carrie's face had gone pale from the pain, so Josephine nodded and agreed.

Carrie was Myra's assistant. Errands like this were part of the job.

When Josephine arrived at the outpatient wing of Glenmarie Hospital, it was almost 11:50 a.m. The door to Consultation Room 2 stood open. A few patients were still inside.

She walked up to the door, intending to leave the lunch and go.

What she didn't expect to learn was that Myra's boyfriend… was Julian.

Golden sunlight spilled through the windows, casting a gentle glow across his crisp white coat. He sat focused at the desk, quietly typing out a prescription, explaining the details to a patient at his side.

Josephine tightened her grip around the lunch container, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The moment stretched. Her own small movements felt magnified—too loud, too visible. She took a step back.

And just then, Julian looked up.

Josephine froze mid-step.

Julian frowned slightly, tapping the desk once with a curled finger.

"Come in."

The last patient exited, leaving just Josephine and Julian in the consultation room.

She steadied herself and walked over slowly, then placed the thermal lunch container down on the desk.

"This is from your girlfriend, Myra," she said. "The Moore family's housekeeper prepared it. Drink it while it's still hot."

She sounded mechanical, like someone wired for a task, executing instructions. As soon as the words left her mouth, she turned to leave.

His voice came low, tinged with a faint, cool indifference.

"My girlfriend? First I've heard of it."

"Myra Moore is my boss," Josephine replied flatly. "She's been talking about her new boyfriend. Everyone at the company knows."

Suddenly, she remembered the voice she'd heard through the phone that night, a woman's voice in Julian's background. Could it have been Myra's?

"This seems like a personal issue. I've delivered the lunch. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

She wasn't going to argue. There was no point.

But just as she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist.

Before she could react, he yanked her forward, and she stumbled, landing squarely in his arms.

In that split second, he had one hand wrapped tightly around her waist. The other lifted her chin as his thumb pressed softly against her lips.

"Do me a favor," he murmured.

His thumb was rough, the texture of his skin grazing hers in the smallest friction. Her lashes fluttered.

From the corner of his eye, Julian caught a figure entering the room. His gaze sharpened. His grip on her waist tightened, and with a swift pull, he drew her fully onto his lap.

Then he leaned in.

His lips descended… but not on hers. Instead, he pressed a kiss to the pad of his own thumb that was still resting on her lips. They didn't technically kiss.

But the distance between them…

It was nothing. Barely even air.

Josephine was stiff as stone. Her eyes went wide, locked on the sharp, handsome lines of his face—his brow, his nose, his skin, brushing against hers.

Their breaths tangled.

His presence overwhelmed her. She felt as if she were drowning in it.

Her whole body trembled. Nerves sparked under her skin. Her mind went blank, a low buzz sounding behind her ears.

She tried to push him away, but his hand only held her tighter.

She was completely unprepared for what came next.

A woman's voice rang out, shrill at the doorway.

"What are you two doing?!"

The scream cut through the tension like a blade, snapping Josephine out of her haze. But before she could move, his palm slid up to the back of her head, pressing her face into his chest.

Julian looked up toward the door. "Audrey, it's after work hours. What I do now is none of your business."

"Julian!" Audrey's voice cracked. "Is this why you turned me down? Because of her? What does she have that I don't? Our families have known each other for years. I'm better for you than she is!"

His fingers moved lightly down Josephine's spine.

He didn't look at her. His dark eyes remained trained on Audrey.

"Close the door on your way out," he said.

Audrey stood frozen, eyes locked onto Josephine's back. Her teeth clenched and her whole face twisted in silent fury, as if she were trying to burn a hole through Josephine's spine with sheer will.

Josephine turned her gaze back toward Julian, slowly realizing what had just happened.

His eyes shimmered with amusement. That look made everything clear.

He had staged the scene.

He'd used her to fend off an overly persistent admirer.

From Audrey's perspective, they'd just kissed.

In truth, his lips hadn't touched hers. But they had been too close.

Their bodies were practically pressed together.

"Josephine," he said, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Planning to stay on my lap much longer?"

His tone was deep and magnetic. He gazed into her dazed, wide eyes, that faint smirk still curling at his lips.