Dexter reclined slowly as if sighing. âYouâre correct. He does care about you a lot.â
The rain painted streaks on the car windows, the outside lights gleamed in the darkness, and an older mant with a crutch stood patiently at the doorstep.
âOtherwise, he wouldnât be waiting specifically for you on a raining night like this.â
Moses stepped out of the car with an umbrella, opening the door for her. âMs. Olsen, weâve reached your home.â
At that moment, Leanne realized they had arrived at the Olsen Residence.
Josie tried to stand up, but her knees wavered, and she stumbled into Dexterâs arms. The sight of them embracing caught Markâs attention.
Dexter lifted his gaze slightly, his tone carrying more weight, âYou better go in now. Your father must be very worried about you.ââ
The car pulled away swiftly, unfazed by the pouring rain.
âMr. Russell, where to now?â Moses inquired.
Dexter again secured his rosary around his wrist, âBack to Mason Garden.â
Half an hour later, they arrived at Mason Garden.
The main bedroomâs light was illuminated.
The rain had dampened the cuffs of Dexterâs clothes. He pushed open the door and entered, spotting the woman who had just emerged from the bath.
Their eyes met, and in a split second, she seized a cushion from the sofa and flung it at him.
Unsatisfied with the cushion, she grabbed a table lamp and launched it in his direction.
Dexter didnât dodge; his demeanor was calm and relaxed.
As Josieâs barrage of items ended, she slumped onto the couch, breathing heavily. Then, he bent down, retrieving the table lamp and setting it back in place.
âFeeling better now?â
Turning her body away, Josie refused to engage with him.
âAre you willing to listen now?â
Josie wanted to leave the bedroom, but Dexter caught her wrist.
âYouâre really something, you know? Took Arnoldâs wine and slept with him. I havenât even brought this up yetâ
Dexter sat down, tugging her to sit beside him.
âI didnât sleep with anyone! Stop making baseless accusations.â Josieâs agitation was palpable.
Dexter ignited another cigarette, his gaze on her softening, turmoil simmering.
ââ¦He practically forced me to drink, and I only leaned on him for a moment.â Josie changed her phrasing. realizing that playing innocent wouldnât work.
âWhy did you meet him privately?â Dexter took a deep drag from his cigarette, the tips of his fingers.
catching the tobacco scent.
âFor Pop, of course!â
âIf the Russell family couldnât locate your father, what makes you think you could?â
It wasnât arrogance on Dexterâs part but a fundamental law in Wavery.
Josie was a step ahead.
âI didnât know Wyatt was hospitalized. If I had known, I wouldnât have bothered.â
Dexter let out a dry chuckle. âI canât blame you for that, I found out recently myself.â
Josieâs expression was a mixture of âyouâre misunderstanding me.â
âWe met privately a few times.â Dexter lifted his hand, brushing away the raindrops that fell onto his hand from her hair.
â¦Just once recently.â
His hand moved up to press on the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. Josie let out a soft involuntary sound, a reaction he often elicited. Whenever their emotions ran deep, he tended to touch that teardrop mole.
It had become something of a habit.
âI donât think youâre truly aiming to be Mrs. Russell. Dexter exerted more pressure. âDo you want to be Mrs. Carter?â
This was spiraling into absurdity. Josie suddenly pushed him away, frustration evident in her eyes.
âDexter, is it that Iâm not interested, or do you have a more suitable candidate?â
Pushed back, Dexter regarded her in silence.
âWhy didnât you tell me about Leanne joining Russell Group?â
âNow you know. So, are you going to interrogate me now?â
Arnold had a point; Josie would have been angry whether she was informed or not.
âYouâre fond of her.â Josieâs frustration grew as if she were searching for traces of it on him.
Dexter closed his eyes.
âYouâre actually fond of her!â Josieâs anxiety grew. She took a step forward, gripping his hands and making him open his eyes.
Her agitation was such that she practically leaned on him, her breath coming fast.
Dexter made a muffled sound, restraining her, âAre you trying to seduce me?â
âAnswer me!â