What Separates Me and You
Chapter 455 Born Heartless

After who knew how long, Josephine slowly lowered her hands and panted weakly. She was exhausted. She slouched in her seat and stared at the ceiling, spaced out.

Suddenly, she caught a whiff of a familiar scent. She turned to look and saw Lewis sitting beside her. She was too worn out to speak. She merely glanced at him before looking away.

"Are you full?" asked Lewis. He held her hands and helped her wipe the residue of the concoction off them.

Josephine took a while before replying, "Are you going to keep me locked up here forever?"

Lewis paused. He resumed his actions as he said, "I'm not locking you up. You can leave whenever you like." Before Josephine could say anything, he continued, "But someone must be by your side."

The corners of Josephine's lips turned down. What was the difference?

However, she recalled what Seth had said and swallowed her retort. The best she could do now was to earn Lewis' trust and lower his guard. Then, she could escape with less effort. "Can I visit Avery every day?"

"Yes, you can. But not Quintin."

Josephine cast him a glance.

He still bore a grudge toward Quintin. He was the one who shoved her toward Quintin in the first place. Now, he wouldn't let her visit Quintin even

once.

Josephine pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes. "Got it."

Lewis studied her. Suddenly, something flashed in his eyes when he realized she was obedient. "When did you wake up?"

"Not long ago."

Lewis abruptly tugged her up and caressed her cheeks. He said in a low voice, "If you aren't sleepy, let's go somewhere." Josephine was stunned. She looked up at him. "Where to?"

"Just come with me."

He pulled her along, and she followed him closely. He took his coat from Mrs. Larson and put it on Josephine. His actions oozed gentleness and consideration.

It was somehow different now. Josephine had always felt he was treating her like his sister when he had shown such consideration for her. Now, he was behaving like her husband.

Analyzing it further, she felt it might be because he was trying to please her when he cared for her. She would have been moved to the core if she were who she used to be.

But now, try as he might, nothing could compensate for the pain he inflicted on her. And his reasons for doing what he did didn't matter anymore. They got into the car, and Lewis drove her to the suburbs. They entered a remote area. As they went on, they could no longer see the streetlights. Only the road right before them was visible, illuminated by the headlamps.

Josephine wasn't afraid in the least. Perhaps it was because she knew Lewis wouldn't abandon her in the middle of nowhere.

That was likely the sense of security she yearned for in the past and wished to get rid of in the present.

Suddenly, a lamp lit up the path ahead. As they drew nearer, Josephine realized where they were a graveyard.

Josephine turned to look at Lewis. "Why did you bring me here?"

Lewis parked the car and glanced at her. "Let's go."

Josephine frowned and followed him out. She felt a trace of fear as the darkness was blinding, not to mention they were somewhere spooky.

She subconsciously leaned closer to Lewis. He noticed her actions and smiled. He held her hand. Her first instinct was to shake him off, but she resisted it.

The breeze was cold at night. It left pins and needles on their faces as it passed. Josephine intuitively wrapped the coat tighter around herself. It belonged to Lewis and had the faint scent of gardenia. It was as familiar as it could be.

They followed the bluestone path to a singled-out tombstone. Under the streetlamp, Josephine saw the photo on the tombstone-it was Mrs. Jinkins. Josephine's eyes flickered. She immediately broke free of Lewis' grasp and ran over to it. When she saw the photo, all her fear dispersed; endless sorrow and guilt filled its place.

She raised her hand and gently stroked the photo. She felt the urge to cry.

The tomb's owner gave her the warmth and courage to keep on living when she hit rock bottom. But she couldn't ensure her peace during her final days.

She was the reason Mrs. Jinkins was lying beneath this tombstone. It was all because of her. Overwhelming grief washed over her. She wobbled and slowly knelt, supporting herself against the tombstone.

If it weren't for her, Mrs. Jinkins could still be alive.

Lewis stood behind her. He lit a cigarette as his gaze fell on her forlorn silhouette.

The night breeze rustled the grass beside the path.

They were at the priciest graveyard in Elysium. The location was great, and it cost a hefty sum. But all that was for nothing. Those who dwelled here could never enjoy any of that. It was only something the living sought after in search of solace.

Josephine had so many things to say, but the only word she could utter was "sorry" amid sobs.

She shouldn't have reconciled with Mrs. Jinkins. She shouldn't have craved the warmth she gave. Her actions were what prevented this elderly woman from finding peace in her final days.

Josephine's back hunched, and she lay nearly flat before the tombstone. She was sincerely begging for forgiveness.

Lewis cast his cigarette aside and squatted beside her. He grabbed her arm and helped her up. "She's in a better place now. Cheer up."

Upon hearing that, Josephine looked at Lewis with reddened eyes.

The dim light from the streetlamp shone on them. It gave Lewis' emotionless face a touch of tenderness and hid his sharp features. There was an instance when Josephine thought she saw the Lewis she knew from ten years ago.

"Lewis," called Josephine. Her voice was soft and distant. "Have you ever known grief?" She looked straight into his eyes and continued, "Do you know the meaning of grief?"

After knowing him for 20 years, it dawned on Josephine that she had never seen Lewis express anything related to grief.

He was like an emotionless robot, incapable of feeling sad over anyone's death or departure. It was like he was born heartless.

Lewis returned her gaze. Their gazes met as silence enshrouded them.

Josephine broke the silence. "Were you sad when your father died? Did you feel regret when Lily and her two young children died?

"What about those innocent lives who died under the wheels of Avery's ride? Have you ever thought about the broken families they left behind? "And the strays Quintin adopted ... What have they done to deserve their fate?

"Mrs. Jinkins..." Josephine's voice trembled as she counted Lewis' sins. "Have it crossed your mind how sad I would be? You knew how important Mrs. Jinkins was to me ..."

Lewis squatted before her. He neither said nor expressed anything, as though everything Josephine said was unrelated to him. He acted like a good listener.

Josephine rolled up her sleeves. A faint scar circled her wrist. The mark the dog bite left on her leg was still visible too.