Chapter 8

Lysanne was taken aback for a moment but quickly redirected the conversation, “I’ve been friends with Josiah for over twenty years. Everyone knows that we’re just good buddies! Must you think of people’s relationships in such a negative way, Dr. Thorne? If that’s the case, everyone might as well only have same-gendered friends since one will get misunderstood if befriending the opposite sex.” However, Lysander immediately responded, “Of course, opposite-sex friends are allowed, but men and women are different. Both you and Josiah are married, respectively, so you should still be cautious.” Lysanne chuckled. “I didn’t expect you, a medical professional, to be so narrow-minded. During the surgery last week, a male doctor entered the operating room. I expressed my concerns, but what did you say to me? You said, ‘All doctors are professionals.’” “That male doctor was an anesthesiologist.” “So what? I’m a woman, he’s a man, and it was a gynecological surgery. Shouldn’t we consider the gender differences at that time? Aren’t you being double standard, Dr. Thorne?” Lysander took a deep breath, feeling somewhat helpless. “Miss Thorne, you’re changing the topic. You were losing a lot of blood at that time, and it was late at night. The only anesthesiologist on duty that day was a male doctor. If we didn’t proceed with the surgery immediately, your child might not have survived! What’s more important? The child’s life or concerns about gender?” Lysanne crossed her arms, looking disdainful. “In any case, you’re a doctor, so your decision prevails. Who knows what the situation was with my child at that time.” Having her professional skills questioned, Lysander finally lost her temper. “Miss Thorne, what are you implying?” “I’m not implying anything. I just want to ask. If you could be called in from home to perform surgery on me, then why couldn’t they get a female anesthetist?” “You…” “Since male anesthetists can enter my operating room, what’s the issue with me taking the keys from Josiah’s pocket?” “Enough!” Josiah stood up unsteadily, swaying for a moment before regaining his balance. Frowning and reeking of alcohol, he took out the keys from his pocket and placed them in Lysander’s hand while soothing her, “Lysanne is pregnant. It’s understandable for her to be emotional. Let’s not argue 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 noble reason. He walked into the room and said, “You should go to bed. I’m taking a shower.” “Okay.” Then, Josiah grabbed some home clothes and headed to the bathroom. As he walked past her, a whiff of tobacco scent lingered in the air. Buzz. Buzz. His phone vibrated with an incoming message on the coffee table. Lyss, ‘Josiah, are you asleep?’ Soon, a few more messages came in. Lyss, ‘Your wife is a doctor. Why is she so sharp-tongued? She could even argue back and forth with a lawyer like me.’ Lyss, ‘You’re in trouble for marrying such a formidable character. She’ll clutch you in her hands.’ Lyss, ‘I can’t sleep. Come down. Let’s go to the yard and look at the stars just like we did when we were kids.’ Lyss, ‘Why aren’t you responding? Are you really asleep?’ Lyss, ‘Did you fall asleep, or are you exercising with your wife? You can’t prioritize your wife over your friends. We’re the best of friends. If you don’t reply, we aren’t friends anymore. Think about it.’