Josiah Sutton received an invitation from Cloud Harbor City Hospital to conduct a lecture and academic exchange.
It happened that Julian Ford was also on a business trip here, so they set a ti to et at a café near the hospital.
The first thing Josiah said when they t was to tease, "Looks like soone will soon be like , back to being a lone wolf."
Julian glanced at him indifferently, sipping his coffee slowly, "Your relationship with Scarlett Shaw is really getting better. Both of you are acting as diators now."
"It’s all because we want you to hang on to your life,"
Josiah said with a smile.
"Scarlett is directly involved, she may not see the whole picture, but as an outsider, it’s different. If you’re really determined to break up with her, would you pretend nothing’s wrong and continue being good after revealing your illness?"
Julian put down his coffee, not denying Josiah’s words, "I really can’t bear to part with her."
That night at the villa, when she refused to reveal her wish, he had a premonition. Her quick acceptance of his pursuit and passionate expression of love may indeed an she’s found out about his illness.
Given her sharpness and attention, although unexpected, it was to be expected.
So, he deliberately revealed he would go find Josiah Sutton.
That premonition ca true.
Sitting on the hospital seat, he watched her from afar, wearing inconspicuous clothes with a mask on, only her beautiful almond eyes exposed, constantly worried yet vigilant.
But her gaze never left him.
Just being watched by her from a distance softened his heart, the impulse to go over and embrace her surged like a snowstorm rising up.
Every minute and second spent with Scarlett Shaw felt like grains of sand forming a sea. Julian Ford thought he could withdraw in ti, but he was already deeply trapped in the sea, unable to escape.
Scarlett was not wrong.
Previously, he chose to face his illness alone because he cared about nothing and needed nothing.
Now he still chooses to face it alone, not for any grand reason, but simply not to appear like a wreck in front of her, defeated by illness or, perhaps, at the brink of death, seeing her, overwheld by the despair of wanting to live but unable to recover.
"Julian, I know what you’re worried about."
Being both n and long-ti friends, Josiah Sutton could easily understand Julian Ford’s thoughts.
It’s just—
"Have you ever thought about if the person sick or injured was Scarlett Shaw, and she pushed you away like this, what if it was your last eting? How would you feel? Is this hopelessness what you hope for?"
Josiah Sutton had long endured many years of feeling lost and alone, left behind the sudden disappearance of the person he loved.
He was more qualified than anyone to ask this question.
"They all have the sa trait, where you think they love you enough, but when they leave, they do so decisively, without any nostalgia. And when you try to catch them again, they’ve already flown far away."
Josiah Sutton used the term "they."
Not just speaking to Julian Ford but also to himself.
Emotions surged in Julian Ford’s dark eyes as he gripped the coffee cup handle. Josiah saw and laughed:
"See, I only said a few words, and you’re already shaken. What if Scarlett really disappears, what would you do?"
Josiah Sutton didn’t get a response from Julian Ford, but he heard a bold and bright female voice the mont his words dropped, a voice impossible to forget in this lifeti:
"Boss, one latte, please!"
The man’s warm and gentle smile suddenly stiffened, and beneath the golden fras, his long and narrow eyes showed a rare coldness not often seen in public.
Julian Ford paused too, and the next second, at the sound, Josiah was already standing in front of Mia.
The woman with big wavy curls down to her waist lifted her eyelids lightly as she noticed Josiah Sutton, her radiant smile unchanged, waving her hand, charming yet not frivolous:
"Long ti no see, Dr. Sutton."
The man’s long and narrow eyes are no longer gentle.
Only the coldness remains.
"So, this is the first thing you say to after disappearing for three years."
The icy tone was filled with hatred only the two of them could detect.
Compared to Josiah Sutton’s obvious fluctuating emotions, Mia only smiled lightly, heartlessly:
"Why? My words are polite and gentle; others would want them but can’t have them. It’s because Dr. Sutton’s bedside skills are so good, and I’m giving you face."
Josiah Sutton heard this, his jawline increasingly tense, his voice low, almost grinding out through gritted teeth, "We need to talk."
"I don’t enjoy reminiscing with ex-boyfriends."
Mia’s beautiful eyes, filled with flirtation, casually remarked.
"Besides, Dr. Sutton, now you look so aggrieved, staring at like a vengeful wife. You make it seem like I’m very much at fault for you."
Josiah Sutton sneered, "Isn’t that the case?"
"We’re all adults; leaving ans not loving. Do you need to tell you this, big man? Don’t tell you think of every night until you can’t sleep, unable to move on until now."
Mia leaned against the coffee bar, her smile winding.
To others, breathtakingly beautiful.
Josiah Sutton only found this woman hateful.
"You’re overly confident."
The gentle Josiah Sutton had shed his gentleness, bristling like a porcupine. His gaze, breath, and words were all sharp.
"It’s you who vanished without a word; do you think I’ll co licking your boots? Mia, even if you died out there, I wouldn’t care anymore."
Mia propped her chin with one hand, and spoke indifferently with a smile, "But you did lick once, saying it tasted good~"
Josiah Sutton: "..."
eting an ex, especially one parted on bad terms, never brings forth a friendly and harmonious atmosphere.
Their tempers were like stars bursting, and their conversation grew increasingly unrestrained.
Both parties’ faces were tense, looking terrible.
But one acted as if nothing happened, smiling nonchalantly.
Both had thick skin.
The barista making coffee inside the bar grew red from hearing their exchange, hastily handed Mia her finished latte.
Mia took it, stood up straight, lightly waved at Josiah Sutton, "Goodbye then."
Josiah Sutton’s brows and eyes were somber, like a storm brewing.
As Mia’s gaze withdrew from his face, his hands clenched into fists inside his pockets, his feet moved from the fixed position on the floor.
Wanting to follow.
"Oh, by the way."
Mia suddenly turned around, smiling brightly at him.
"Don’t co looking for ; I don’t eat what’s been spat out."
Josiah Sutton’s steps halted, almost imdiately sneering, "Don’t worry, I won’t eat what’s been spat out either."
"That’s great, everyone wins."
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