The Charming Ex-Wife

Chapter 8 Stored Resentment

with her.” Lysander held the keys and looked up at him. “Are you two truly friends?” Josiah’s breathing became heavy, with his chest rising and falling several times before nodding. “Yes.” Lysander gazed deeply into his eyes as if trying to peer into his soul. After a moment, Josiah was the first to look away. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back.” She assisted him to the back seat and fastened his seatbelt before getting in the driver’s seat to start the car. Through the rearview mirror, she saw Lysanne also getting into the back seat and gently covering Josiah with his suit jacket. “Aren’t you prone to motion sickness, Miss Thorne? Why aren’t you sitting in the front?” However, Lysanne remained composed while fastening her seatbelt effortlessly and stating, “I’m feeling fine today. I don’t feel motion sickness.” Lysander sneered and started the car. Upon returning to the Guerra residence, her mother-in-law, Susan McKay, was already asleep. Over the years, Susan had prioritized her health and always retired to bed by nine o’clock at night. Lysander helped Josiah into the house and headed straight upstairs to their room. But Lysanne followed behind while calling out, “Hey.” Lysander halted and turned to face her. Then, Lysanne remarked, “Don’t you need to take Josiah’s jacket? How can you be so neglectful as his wife?” “Place it on the living room sofa for now. I’ll clean up tomorrow.” “But you have an early start at work tomorrow, right? Will you have time to tidy up?” Lysander pursed her lips and said in a deep voice, “First, tidying up a coat doesn’t take long. A few minutes is enough, and it won’t delay me going to work. Second, Mom is already asleep. She doesn’t sleep well. Are you sure you want to stand there and argue with me loudly?” Lysanne smiled in surprise. “You may be a doctor, but you have a way with words too.” “Thanks for the compliment, Miss Thorne. But please keep your voice down. Don’t disrupt Mom’s rest.” Then, Lysanne raised her chin proudly. “Mrs. Guerra dotes on me the most. She won’t blame me—” “Enough, Lysanne!” Josiah interrupted her and sighed heavily. He straightened up against the railing and frowned at her. “You can place that jacket anywhere. It’s very late, and you’re pregnant. Go rest.” After being interrupted by him, Lysanne was feeling a bit annoyed and said with a hint of frustration, “I’m not sleepy.” “But I am, and Lysander is, too. She has to get up early tomorrow at six o’clock for the morning shift. We need to rest, too.” But Lysanne suddenly chuckled sarcastically, “Josiah, have you forgotten about me now that you’re married? I’ve been helping you all day, blocking drinks for you, and holding your jacket. Is this how you treat me?” “How should I treat you then? Am I spending my life with my buddy or with my wife?” She was speechless. Then, Josiah turned around and led Lysander upstairs. “Let’s go.” Perhaps it was the alcohol he had consumed, but the usually gentle Josiah had an unusually strong grip on her wrist as if there was a long-suppressed resentment deep inside him that was now struggling to burst out. Back in the room, Lysander went to take a shower. On her wrist, there were five visible red marks from his fingers. After soaking in the hot water, they had become slightly swollen. Fortunately, her long-sleeved pajamas could cover them up. When she came out of the bathroom, Josiah was not in the room. So she went to the balcony and saw him smoking. He hadn’t even changed his clothes and was still wearing the same suit from today. He held the cigarette delicately between his fingers and bit it with his teeth before taking a deep drag and exhaling white smoke. His movements were so smooth and practiced, indicating that he was already very skilled at it. “Josiah?” Josiah came to his senses and instinctively stubbed out the cigarette. He held the butt in his hand for a while before realizing he couldn’t find an ashtray, so he threw it directly into the trash can. “Done showering?” “Yes, what about you? What are you thinking about?” He shook his head. “Nothing. Just had a bit too much to drink and needed some fresh air on the balcony.” “Did you use to smoke?” “Yes…” “Then why did you quit?” Josiah smiled. “Smoking is harmful to health.” “True.” ‘Smoking is harmful to health.’ Such a