What Separates Me and You
Chapter 518 Pointless to Keep You Here

Lewis didn't know what to do. He wanted to call out to Yannis for help, but the latter had already fled. So, Lewis patted Josephine's back to help soothe her rapid breathing.

He waited until Josephine gradually calmed down before he sat beside her. Eyes locked on her, he asked, "Do you feel better now?"

His concerned gaze made Josephine more tired.

"Get out!" She glanced at him and realized he didn't move. "I want to sleep. Can you not sit here?"

"You can sleep if you want. I'll keep an eye on you."

"I can't sleep if you keep watching me!"

Lewis looked down at his watch. "It's still early. You can sleep later at night."

Josephine shut her eyes and tried hard to reel in her rage. She planned to ignore the former by then.

Seeing how she didn't want to deal with him anymore, Lewis watched her for a little longer before subtly sighing. He had quick enough wits to say, "Fine. Rest up. I won't take up any more of your time."

He gave one last look at Josephine, who still didn't react to him. Only then did he get up to leave.

Josephine opened her eyes once the door closed. Exhaustion weighed her down at once, and she leaned limply against the headboard.

Josephine had brain fog and heard a ringing in her ears. However, she wasn't sure if it was because she got angered by Lewis or if her dwindling health was the cause for it.

Lewis headed downstairs.

Lucy had brought a ball from somewhere and placed it near Lewis' foot. She then wagged her tail as if wanting him to play.

Lewis looked down, then kicked the ball far away.

Lucy ran after it but stopped after two steps when she realized the orange ball had landed beyond the fence in their yard. She couldn't go out there.

Mrs. Larson watched everything unfold from the side and rubbed her nose awkwardly. For a moment, she felt bad for Lucy.

As for Lewis, he loosened his tie while sitting on the couch. His expression was so grim that even Mrs. Larson dared not talk to him.

Conrad had already contacted Henry, who was still in Elysium. He asked the latter to deploy some men to apprehend Yannis in Qoigas.

In less than four hours, Yannis got sent back to Styx Mansion in a private jet. He stood stiffly before Lewis and would occasionally sneak glances at the latter. They had stood like that for ten minutes, yet Lewis never said a word.

A cartoon played on the television. Lewis watched it while fiddling with the remote. The cartoon's cheery background music jarringly stood out against the tense atmosphere.

Yannis couldn't stand feeling like a prisoner awaiting his sentence, so he squeaked, "Mr. Alvarez."

Lewis still ignored the former and leaned against the couch while focusing on the television.

Yannis gulped before speaking up again. "Mr. Alvarez, I merely went to Qoigas for a medical conference."

Lewis finally looked up at him.

Guilt shot throughout Yannis' body as he lowered his head. He blamed himself for attending the conference instead of purchasing flight tickets to flee the country. If he had left overnight, he would have settled abroad by now.

"Why did you flee?" Lewis asked.

Yannis stiffened yet quickly explained, "I wasn't fleeing. I swear it! I really was attending a medical conference."

"Is that so? What have you discussed at the said conference?"

"Well, you wouldn't know even if I told you." Yannis' sheepish laugh rang out.

"Why don't you update me on Josephine's situation."

All color drained from Yannis' face. He lowered his head and tried hard to conceal his pale expression. "M-Mrs. Alvarez lost too much blood and is weak ..."

"It seems you didn't learn much from that conference."

Yannis froze.

Before he could understand Lewis' words, the latter announced, "Then, it's pointless to keep you here."

Yannis' eyes snapped wide open while his legs gave in. He fell onto his knees beside Lewis. "No! Please, Mr. Alvarez! It's my fault!"

"I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me the truth."

Yannis wiped his head. Every muscle in his body trembled as he said, "Apart from Mrs. Alvarez's overall weaker health, she's also grown more depressed. Her body will only decline if her mental health doesn't improve anytime soon. She'll eventually ..."

"She'll eventually what?"

"Physical illnesses are easy to cure, but the same doesn't apply to mental illnesses. Mrs. Alvarez's health will worsen, and she'll succumb to depression ..."

An eerie glow appeared in Lewis' eyes. "Succumb to depression?"

"Y-Yes." Yannis peered at the former and secretly rejoiced for intelligently coming up with an explanation.

Lewis had nothing to rebuke with when it came to mental illnesses. After all, Josephine's declining health was indeed caused by her anger and frustration. Still, the main issue was her body had suffered severe blood loss. The two combined put Josephine's life in grave danger.

Why else would Yannis flee the city so quickly?

Lewis' brows furrowed. He no longer caused trouble for Yannis nor yelled at the latter.

As for Yannis, he continued to kneel earnestly. He was grateful enough that Lewis hadn't punished him. Plus, he knew there was no harm in kneeling. So, he remained in that position for however long Lewis stayed on the couch.

Lewis left the living room around dinner time.

Josephine napped all afternoon.

She was awoken by Lewis for dinner in the evening. She weakly glanced at the man beside her and didn't even have the strength to speak.

Lewis gingerly helped her sit upright and placed a pillow behind her back. He then brought some oatmeal porridge to her. "Here. Be careful. It's hot."

"I don't want to eat," Josephine said as she turned the other way.

Still, Lewis patiently cooed, "Come, now. Have a mouthful or two."

At the same time, he brought a spoonful of porridge to her lips and nudged her to eat it.

Josephine couldn't eat anymore after a few mouths. She clamped her lips shut and looked away.

Lewis didn't force her to continue. He set aside the porridge and then held her hand. "Josie, is there somewhere you wish to go?"

Josephine shook her head. She didn't want to go anywhere as she was too tired. In fact, she was so worn out that she didn't want to speak.

"Is there anything you want to eat?"

Josephine still shook her head.

Likewise, Lewis maintained a steady composure. "Are there any fun activities you want to do?"

"Lewis." Josephine willed her remaining strength to say, "I want to nap. Can you please stop talking?"

Lewis parted his lips but later resisted the urge to speak after seeing how exhausted the former looked. He helped her lay down again, tucked her into the blanket, and said, "Sleep well." Josephine shut her eyes and refused to pay him any attention.

That was when her phone rang.

Lewis picked it up from the nightstand. He unlocked it and saw that many people had texted her. Wendy had informed Josephine that work had started and asked when the latter was heading to work.

Then, there was a text from Avery, who asked about Seth. There was no hiding the issue since many had died in that situation. She mentioned that Seth had brought a mercenary, which she had nothing to say about. Plus, she raised how Seth was already deceased and that a dead person made a great scapegoat.

Lewis stared at Avery's profile picture for the longest time before dialing her number.

Avery excitedly answered the phone. "Hey, Josie! You haven't visited or contacted me in a long time. What have you been up to?"

"Avery."

Avery's smile faltered once she heard Lewis' hateful voice.