87. Can I Leave For a Moment?

Josh was true to his word to Sharon. That he would stay near her all the time.

He didn't dare to go anywhere at all. Even when he needed to take a shower, he would choose a time when Sharon was sleeping. Even so, he still couldn't leave the girl for too long as he cleaned up as quickly as he could. Guilt and regret gnawed at his heart fiercely. Until his subconscious seemed to make him feel guilty if he relaxed his supervision of Sharon.

His days during Sharon's stay in the hospital were spent only accompanying and caring for the girl. Josh left all work matters to his deputy and secretary completely without wanting to be disturbed or bothered. He didn't even think of contacting Ashley. His communication with Ashley completely stopped after the conversation on the phone when he asked for that girl’s help to pack his clothes.

Anyone who knew this would definitely think that Josh was crazy. But the truth is that he was crazy. He couldn't forgive himself for almost taking the life of his beloved one for granted. So other matters at that time seemed like completely unimportant things in his eyes.

His attention was only devoted to Sharon. The contents of his head were preoccupied with how to heal the physical wounds and wounds in Sharon's heart because of him. Josh followed the progress of Sharon's recovery without missing a beat until the doctor declared that the girl's condition was stable and she was finally allowed to go home.

The incident of Sharon's suicide attempt was probably a pit of hell for Josh that he could never crawl out of.

As for Sharon, the suffering and fear that Josh was experiencing at that time was a big victory for her because she had managed to carry out her plan very successfully.

Sharon enjoyed it very much. Especially when Josh became so frightened because she refused and pretended to be furious when the surgeon in charge referred her to a psychiatrist to check her mental state. 

She swore at everyone and insisted on convincing everyone that she didn't want to see a psychiatrist because she wasn't crazy. She deliberately shows unstable thoughts just to push Josh until the man really can't run away from his guilt. She had to get Josh to fall back into her trap somehow. And her plan works again.

Josh was getting gentler and seemed much more careful with her. It was as if he really didn't want to hurt her in the slightest.

A few days after her return home, Josh also stayed with her and didn't go back to his own house at all. He didn't even dare to mention anything that could potentially make her sad.

Until Josh’s mother called and talked about his mistake that had made Ashley's parents angry by breaking his promise. His mother gave him an ultimatum without accepting any excuses even though Josh said half-beggingly that he would solve it himself as soon as possible. But his mother suspected all sorts of things. At that time, his mother didn't talk about the accidental meeting at the cafe the previous afternoon. So Josh assumed that Ashley's mother was just venting her anger about the lunch promise he didn't keep. But, it still made Josh wary of all possibilities and not dare to be too rash. 

Finally Josh was forced to say yes when his mother said she had arranged dinner so that he could correct his mistake as soon as possible by apologizing. His mother even told him to take the gift she had prepared at home to give to Ashley's parents as a sign of regret.

Josh saw Sharon standing in the doorway of the room as he turned off his phone. Surprise struck him at that moment. He quickly approached Sharon and helped her to go inside and sit comfortably on the bed when she said she wanted to take a short nap.

From the expression hidden on Josh's face, Sharon knew that the man was thinking of ways to leave.

Sharon was amused and thoroughly enjoyed the man's indecision. Although there was some resentment in her heart for being so fed up with Josh’s mother's interruptions.

Josh adjusted the blanket to cover Sharon's lap, then cupped her hands as he smiled and looked at her lovingly. “How are you feeling? Is the pain still coming on?”

Sharon smiled back, “It doesn't hurt much today. It's been a while anyway, I'm sure it will heal soon.”

Josh nodded with relief. He gave a long pause and then tried to start a conversation that he felt would be very difficult. With Sharon in her current state, asking her permission to leave her for a while was clearly impossible. But Josh still had to try. He still had to convince Sharon to leave for a while, or else he would get a new one while his problem yesterday with Ashley's parents was still unresolved.

“Babe... I—” Josh's voice sounded weak and slightly trembled. His eyes were also unfocused and shaking.

“I know. I accidentally heard it earlier. I'm sorry...” Sharon cut off Josh's stammering voice, with a soft and understanding tone.

It was as if she didn't want to hear too much of Josh's pleasantries—she couldn't bear to pretend to be calm for too long because she was amused at the man's weak attitude towards her. Josh used to be tough and rigid but now he is submissive and didn't dare mess with her. It certainly felt very ticklish to Sharon's self-defense.

A heavy burden instantly crept into Josh's heart when he explained.

“I once broke an appointment with Ashley's parents. I think they took offense to that, and word got back to my mom,” Josh arranged his words one by one and spoke them slowly and carefully. Looking at Sharon, he gave a slight pause. He saw her looking at him and waited for him to finish. “Then my mom rearranged the meeting with Sharon's parents so that I could apologize and clear up the misunderstanding. So—”

Sharon quickly nodded, “Go on. When is the meeting?” her voice was still as soft as before.

“Tonight,” Josh answered with a heavy heart and a choked throat. “I'll come straight back here as soon as it's over.”

“Don't.”

Josh automatically frowned in confusion at Sharon's words.

“Go back to your own home. Because of me, you have to take care of me all the time and can't go anywhere. You don't work, and you don't go home either. I think you should at least explain to that girl why you're not going home. I'm worried that you'll get into more trouble because of me. I'm sorry... It's all my fault.” Sharon decorated her face with sadness and guilt.

“No, no. You're not at fault. I'm the one who's wronged you. How could I make you go through all this? I must have lost my mind.” Josh rubbed Sharon's gauze-wrapped wrist.

“No, Josh... I was wrong. I was too scared at the time. You didn't pick up my calls at all. Didn't read any of my messages. After that—” Sharon took a dramatic breath, ”I didn't know how else to explain that I really didn't do anything with Somun. I became so afraid that you wouldn't believe me. I thought... you'd completely dumped me. So, I—”

Sharon no longer continued her speech. Instead, she replaced it with a sobbing sound and a few tears that she forced down with all her might.

Josh immediately approached and rubbed Sharon's cheek. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for ignoring you back then. I promise I won't do it again. I promise I'll always be here for you.”

Sharon stopped sobbing, “So you trust me?”

Josh nodded solemnly, “Of course I do. You're the only thing in this world that matters to me. There's no reason for me not to trust you.”

Sharon smiled. “I love you, Josh.” Sharon rubbed Josh's hand that cupped her face. “You can come here tomorrow to take me to the hospital to have my wound checked. But, can you still call me? Hearing from you will give me some peace of mind.”

“Are you really okay alone?” Josh hesitated a little.

“I'm fine. It's only my hand that's hurt. I can take care of myself, Josh,” Sharon laughed lowly. “As long as you don't ignore me, I'm sure I'll be fine. But, I'm actually a bit curious. You... and that girl... when you were together... you didn't do anything did you?”

Josh laughed. “Of course not.”

“Hm. I believe you, Josh. Because I know you only love me. And I love only you. Between people who love each other, isn't it only natural to trust each other, right?” Sharon smiled with satisfaction.

She knew her words had hit home the doubts Josh had felt towards her because of the incident with Somun.

Josh smiled with all his might trying to cover his gaze that trembled from the blow of his guilt. “Thank you. You understand my situation very well. But all I can do is put you in danger.”

Sharon moved her face forward and kissed Josh's lips in the blink of an eye. Then let out a crisp laugh. “Can we stop blaming ourselves? I just want us both to love each other and be as happy as ever. That's all. Okay?”

Josh smiled. “Okay.”