Chapter 4

Lysander recalled the examination report in her wallet, her knuckles slightly pale as she clenched her hands. “There’s no gift?” Josiah chuckled lightly. “Forget it then. I understand that you’re very busy, Dr. Thorne. It’s already a great birthday gift for me that you could spare some time to have a meal with me.” “Josiah, I’ve taken the next week off. Let’s go somewhere for a few days.” Josiah was somewhat surprised. “Aren’t you busy with your report recently? Do you have time?” “I can make it work.” After a moment of thought, Josiah nodded. “Alright, we didn’t have a honeymoon when we got married, so this is a good opportunity to make up for it.” “Okay.” Lysander asked, “Will it affect your work?” “I’m not leaving until next week. I’ll just get my work organized ahead of time this week.” “That’s good to hear.” Josiah inquired, “What shift do you have tomorrow?” “I swapped shifts with someone, so I have the day off tomorrow.” Josiah said, “We have a high school class reunion tomorrow. You should come with me.” Having been Josiah’s wife for three years, Lysander had never met his classmates and friends, mainly because she was busy with work and didn’t see the need. But this time, since she had broken her promise for the birthday gift, she agreed to go. “Okay.” … After working continuously for two days and one night, Lysander slept soundly that night. When she woke up, there was no one beside her. Such situations were actually not uncommon. She was a doctor, and whenever patients needed her, she had to stay at her post. Many times, it was like this. Although she slept in the same bed as Josiah, they hardly spoke to each other. After she washed up and went downstairs, she met Susan. Susan said, “You’re awake. Josiah is already waiting for you at the door.” Lysander quickly greeted Susan and hurried out the door, where she saw the familiar white Cayenne. She walked over and opened the passenger door to get in but was startled by what she saw. The person inside was also startled by her. “Dr. Thorne?” “Ms. Lysanne.” Lysanne seemed to have dressed up today on purpose. Although her pregnant belly was protruding slightly, she was wearing a long red dress, her black hair cascading down, and she had put on light makeup. However, something must have just happened, as her eyes were slightly red, and her voice sounded nasal. “Um, I also have a class reunion today, and Josiah happens to be giving me a ride.” It then occurred to Lysander that Josiah and Lysanne had been classmates from elementary school to high school. His class reunion was also Lysanne’s. However, while giving a ride was fine, the passenger seat in a car was usually assumed to be for the lady of the house. Lysander stood still and waited for a while but didn’t see any indication from Lysanne to move to the back seat. She gently reminded, “Ms. Lysanne, the back seat is more spacious, and you’ll be more comfortable sitting there.” Lysanne suddenly smiled brightly and tossed her hair. The Porsche Cayenne was an SUV with a high chassis. Lysanne sat in the passenger seat, looking down at her almost condescendingly. “I get motion sickness, so I can’t sit in the back.” For some reason, Lysanne seemed different today compared to yesterday. She seemed to be projecting some sort of hostility towards her. Lysander felt a slight ache in her heart but still maintained a smile on her face. “What do you mean by that, Ms. Lysanne?” “Dr. Thorne, why don’t you sit in the back for a while? Is that okay? Seeing that I’m pregnant and all…” “For a while?” “Yeah,” Lysanne said casually. “I haven’t been back in the country for several years. This time, I plan to stay for a while. I don’t want to give birth to the baby abroad either. It’s better for the baby to have citizenship here.” She was now six months pregnant. From full term to postpartum confinement, it meant she would be staying at the Guerra Residence for almost half a year. “Are you planning to have your postpartum confinement at the Guerra Residence, Ms. Lysanne?” “My parents are at a sanatorium in the mountains, so I can only stay at the Guerra Residence for now. But the old house is a bit far from the city center, which is inconvenient for prenatal checkups. I heard that you and Josiah are living in the city center now, which is very close to the hospital. I’m thinking of staying at your place for prenatal care and postpartum confinement.” This time, she didn’t ask, “Is it okay?” or “Can I?” Her tone was definite, as if the matter had already been decided, and she was just informing Lysander. Lysander tilted her head and looked at Josiah in the driver’s seat. “Josiah, what do you think?” Josiah, for some reason, looked a little remorseful. “Our place is indeed closer to the hospital.” “So, you have already discussed and agreed on this, right?” “Look, Lysander, Lysanne is pregnant, and she is my best friend…” Best friend. If you had called her once in these three years or mentioned her name once, I would have believed this “best friend” claim. You keep saying she is your best friend, but there has been no contact in three years. What is the reason behind this, that two “best friends” could be out of touch for over three years? And why, when you could have openly admitted to being friends, did you choose to hide it when you were in my office? Josiah urged, “Lysander, it’s time to go. We should leave.” He was urging her, not Lysanne. He didn’t even suggest that Lysanne should sit in the back seat. Lysander chuckled dryly, opened the back door, and got in. The class reunion venue was set at a sober bar called Mirage. During the day, there were not many people in the bar, and the place was spacious enough, perfect for a class reunion. Perhaps because there was a pregnant woman in the car, but Josiah drove very safely. Lysanne sat in the passenger seat, holding up a small mirror to touch up her makeup. “How do I look, Josiah?” Josiah glanced at her. “Looks good to me.” Lysanne pouted, seeming a bit displeased. “Now that I’m pregnant, I can’t even put on a full face of makeup. What’s the difference between me now and going makeup-free?” “You look good even without makeup.” “It’s not the same. For a class reunion, the key is to look stunning.” She put down the mirror and asked Josiah casually, “Where did I put my phone?” Josiah looked resigned. He nimbly took out her phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “You’re still the same as before, always forgetting your phone. And you only start looking for it when you need it. Here you go.” Lysanne took it and laughed. “You know, it feels like we’re back to when we were in school. You always have my phone with you.” Josiah began to reminisce, saying, “Yes, back in school, when those boys sent you love messages, I was the one who replied for you.” “Haha, those guys were so annoying. By the way, I think I just heard a notification. Can you help me check who texted me?” Without hesitation, Lysanne threw the phone into his lap, not caring that Josiah was driving, and continued to do her makeup. Josiah seemed to be used to this kind of thing, without a hint of complaint, willingly being bossed around by her. He reached into his lap with one hand, took out the phone, unlocked it, and asked, “What’s your phone’s password?” “It’s the same as before, you know it.” Lysander looked over from the back seat and saw Josiah tapping on the screen for a while, frowning as he did so. “Your password is like a Morse code. Why does it have to be so complicated?” “So what if it’s complicated? You remember it anyways.” Lysanne sounded like a spoiled child. “Aren’t you done yet?” “Just a moment, I’m almost done…” “Josiah!” Lysander suddenly looked up and saw the incoming traffic, shouting, “Watch out in front!”