Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 225: Slipped Up

The moment the door closed.

Josephine Thompson leaned her back against the cold wall, lifting her hand to touch her cheek, which was hot enough to fry an egg.

She took a few deep breaths.

The muffled grunt of Julian Grant kept echoing in her ears, her heart pounding as if it would jump out of her throat.

Besides Nathaniel Gallagher.

She really hadn’t had such a close encounter with another man.

"My face is so hot, I’ll wash it to cool down."

She hurriedly walked to the sink, turned on the faucet, and splashed some cold water on her face.

She looked in the mirror.

Her face was as red as if it had been painted with rouge, the blush lingering for a long time.

In the bathroom.

Julian Grant looked at his own uncontrollable reaction and chuckled helplessly.

The pain from the wound was still piercing.

But thinking of the cool touch of Josephine Thompson’s fingertips when they brushed against his belt...

It was like an electric current running through his body, making him forget most of the pain.

He gritted his teeth, using his uninjured hand to slowly adjust his position, trying not to strain the wound, but his movements were still clumsy, a layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

Outside, Josephine Thompson listened intently for any sound, afraid of hearing a noise indicating he’d fallen.

She waited about five minutes.

Finally, she heard Julian Grant’s voice, "Josephine, I’m ready."

"Oh, then... then I’m coming in."

She cautiously pushed open the door.

"Ah..."

"How did you..."

She quickly closed her eyes.

"I can’t pull my pants up, could you lend a hand?"

Josephine Thompson hesitated for a few seconds but still forced herself to step forward.

Bending down.

She grabbed his pants and tugged them up with force.

She kept her eyes shut the entire time, not daring to look at his... privacy. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Ow... murder! Could you be a bit gentler?"

"...Did I touch the wound?"

Julian Grant looked pained, "It hurts more than touching the wound, the zipper caught my skin."

Josephine Thompson was dumbfounded, "Oh... I... I didn’t mean to."

Julian Grant’s situation worsened, the pain bringing cold sweat all over, "Who pulls up the pants without pulling up the underwear first?"

"Ow... it really hurts!"

"Then, then..." Josephine Thompson was flustered, wanting to fix it but not daring to touch him.

"Murder! You’ll ruin it for me, and you’d be left with nothing useful in the future."

"Shut up." Josephine Thompson was so anxious her palms were sweating, reaching out blindly trying to help him adjust.

Her fingertip accidentally brushed against his waist, and she pulled back as if burned.

Julian Grant took a sharp breath, half from pain, half from being amused by her flustered state, "Open your eyes, how can you do it with your eyes closed? I won’t eat you."

Josephine Thompson bit her lip and slowly opened her eyes.

Her gaze fixed on his waistband, not daring to glance downward even a bit.

Her fingertips trembled, as she carefully helped him lower his pants slightly.

She then gently moved aside the fabric caught by the zipper, handling it as if unpacking something fragile.

"Is it... okay now?" her voice tight, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Julian Grant looked at her reddened ears and tense profile, holding back his laughter, intentionally lowering his voice, "Not yet, move it a bit more to the left, don’t touch the wound."

Josephine held her breath, adjusting slowly as he instructed, only releasing her grip with a sigh of relief when she heard him hum softly, stepping back as if avoiding something, "Can you pull it up now?"

"Wait." Julian Grant stopped her, a teasing glint in his eyes, "The underwear needs to be pulled up properly too, or it’ll get caught again later."

"Julian Grant!" Josephine was both angry and embarrassed, her cheeks red enough to drip blood, "Can’t you do it yourself?"

"One hand’s got stitches, the other is on a drip, how should I do it?" Julian Grant feigned grievance, furrowing his brow, "Or are you despising me?"

Looking at him, clearly in pain.

Yet still teasing her.

Josephine was exasperated and felt helpless.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and when she opened them again, her gaze held a resigned determination.

Since she helped once, might as well help again.

She stepped forward quickly, helping him adjust his underwear, and quickly pulled up his pants.

Her hands shook as she buckled the belt.

She dared not lift her eyes to look at him the whole time, focused only on her fingertips, as if completing a daunting task, "All done! Go back to bed now!"

Julian Grant watched her embarrassed state, finally unable to hold back his laughter, but when he laughed, it pulled at the wound on his back, the pain made him gasp, his laughter changing tone, "Ow... alright, going back to bed."

Josephine ignored him, supporting his arm to help him out of the bathroom.

Julian Grant lowered his head, taking a step closer.

"What are you doing?"

Julian Grant said nothing, just leaned down to kiss her.

The warm breath suddenly covered her.

Josephine’s body stiffened, instinctively wanting to retreat, but her back pressed against the bathroom’s tile wall, no room to back away.

Julian Grant’s kiss was gentle, tinged with cautious exploration. It was like a feather brushing across her lips, still carrying the slight coolness from just breaking a fever.

Josephine’s mind was in turmoil, her body trembling slightly, yet she didn’t push him away.

The image of him protecting her the previous night.

And the murmurs of her name during his fever’s delirium.

All wandered in her mind, leaving her with no strength to refuse.

The kiss deepened gradually.

Julian Grant dared not exert too much force, fearing to strain the wound, only kissing her lips lightly, as his breath gradually grew warmer.

Josephine kept her eyes closed, clearly feeling his uninjured hand gently wrapping around her waist, with a touch of trembling tenderness.

Until the wound on his back tugged with pain.

Julian Grant seemed unaware, lost in kissing her.

Five minutes later.

Josephine’s cheeks burned hotter, her mind more flustered.

Mm...

Men seemed to have an innate talent for this sort of thing.

Nathaniel Gallagher kissed well.

And Julian Grant was surprisingly skilled too.

Or perhaps... all men were?

"Uh... don’t stand anymore, quickly lie back on the bed."

"Haha~, sorry, I couldn’t hold back."

"You need to have your wound dressed, let me help you back."

Julian Grant didn’t move, instead grasping her hand, gently rubbing her palm with his fingertips, his gaze intensely warm, "Josephine, I love you, I really want to be with you."

Josephine’s heart skipped a beat, her fingertips trembling slightly, "Let’s talk after you recover."

Julian Grant couldn’t help but smile, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing, "Okay, I’ll listen to you. Once I’m better, let’s go see Eagle’s Beak Cliff, and also visit the night market on Dawnveil Dynasty Street."

"Mm." Josephine responded softly, supporting his arm as they walked out, her steps now slower than before, her fingertips quietly curling into his hand.

Back at the hospital bed.

Josephine settled him and went to order food for him.

The entire time, she carefully tended to him.

...

In Audenburg.

The runaway criminals reported back to Vivian Shaw.

Vivian Shaw, after listening to the call, was so angry her lungs were about to explode, "Failed again?"

"You’re truly useless, can’t even handle such a small matter."

"Next time it’ll definitely succeed."

Vivian Shaw was even more infuriated hearing this, "Now we’ve stirred up the hornet’s nest, where will there be such a good opportunity again?"

Josephine Thompson and Julian Grant went to Opengate.

Neither of them brought bodyguards or assistants.

It’s indeed a good chance to make a move!

Now they’re surely going to be more cautious, no chance to strike again.

"Fine, I’ll give you another chance. If you mess it up again, forget about getting the rest of the payment."

Hung up the phone.

Vivian Shaw took a few heavy breaths, gritting her teeth in anger.

"Damn it, am I destined not to become Mrs. Gallagher in this life?"

"That damn Josephine Thompson hasn’t been dealt with, and now my aunt has come out of nowhere. Ha~ My aunt was almost dying, and suddenly there’s Evelyn Thorne."

"You despicable wretches, why do you all have to target brother? Damn it, damn it, you all deserve to die..."

Vivian Shaw smashed things in anger, tears uncontrollably streaming down.

She had dreams and goals since she was very young.

Which was to marry brother, to become Mrs. Gallagher.

Yet...

The goal has always been unreachable.

Josephine Thompson, Evelyn Thorne, and Eleanor Churchill are like mountains blocking her way.

"You all should just die."

Vivian Shaw smashed the vase on the table.

Fragments scattered everywhere, but she didn’t realize it, just crouched in the corner hugging her knees crying.

Tears mixed with grievance and venom, soaking the hem of her skirt.

Since she was young, she regarded Nathaniel Gallagher as her only target.

In order to be Mrs. Gallagher.

She worked hard to make herself more outstanding.

But no matter how hard she tried, brother wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

"Why?" She clenched her fists, her nails dug deep into her palms, "Why would Josephine Thompson have Julian Grant desperately protecting her? Why would Evelyn Thorne, after just returning, catch brother’s eye?"

Cried for quite a while.

Only then did she wipe away her tears, her gaze gradually turning vicious.

She got up, walked to the desk, and opened the drawer where a stack of photos was kept.

With the backs of Josephine Thompson and Julian Grant wandering the night market in Opengate, with Evelyn Thorne entering and exiting the Gallagher Family villa, and Eleanor Churchill’s hospital check-up report.

She picked up Eleanor Churchill’s report, her fingertips tracing the words "condition stable, no signs of deterioration," a cold smile curled at her lips: "Auntie, you’re living long enough. But do you think this way, brother will always stay by your side?"

"Beep beep beep!"

The phone rang.

The name "Nathaniel Gallagher" appeared on the screen.

Vivian Shaw immediately restrained her anger, took a deep breath, and when she picked up, her voice turned weak and pitiful: "Brother..."

"Where are you?" Nathaniel Gallagher’s voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of fatigue.

"I’m at home."

Vivian Shaw rubbed her eyes, deliberately adding a nasal tone to her voice, "Brother, Aunt... how is Aunt doing today?"

"Same as usual." Nathaniel Gallagher paused.

"Have you noticed any extra medicine when you were preparing meds for Eleanor before?"

Vivian Shaw felt a chill in her heart and responded quickly: "Ah... No, I haven’t."

"What’s wrong? Did something happen?"

Nathaniel Gallagher’s voice was cold, hinting something intentionally, "Eleanor’s medicine is short, the servant said you’ve been taking care of Eleanor’s medication, so I called to ask you."

"Oh, maybe there was an accidental mistake. I’ll pay attention next time, brother."

"In the future, you don’t need to take care of Eleanor’s medication, and don’t go to The Rose Garden anymore."

"... Okay, I understand."

Hung up the phone.

The frailness on Vivian Shaw’s face vanished instantly, replaced by resentment.

"Brother must have caught on to something."

She walked to the window.

Uneasily gazing toward the distant Gallagher Family villa, her gaze becoming darker.

It appears she cannot act recklessly anymore.

Neither Josephine nor Auntie.

Are easy to deal with.

As for Evelyn Thorne, she’s even harder to handle.

"Am I really unable to fulfill my wishes in this lifetime?"

...

Opengate

In the hospital.

Josephine had just finished ordering food and returned.

And saw Julian Grant smiling at his phone screen.

She walked over and put down the lunch box, curiously asking, "What are you looking at, so happy?"

Julian Grant handed over the phone, the screen showed the photos taken at the night market last night.

She held a rabbit-shaped dough figurine, standing and smiling under the lantern, the light in her eyes even brighter than the lantern.

"Look, not bad shots, right?"

He reached out and rubbed her hair, "Once I recover, we’ll take more pictures, all over Eagle’s Beak Cliff, Dawnveil Dynasty Street."

Josephine looked at the photo of herself, her cheeks slightly blushing.

Remembering the kiss in the bathroom earlier, her heart raced a bit more.

She returned the phone to Julian Grant, bowing her head to open the lunch box: "Let’s eat first, the porridge will get cold."

Julian Grant looked at the reddened tip of her ears and took the porridge bowl with a smile.

Sunlight streamed through the window, warming the two, dissipating the previous tension in the ward.

Josephine opened the thermos, the scent of white porridge slowly wafting out.

She served a small half-bowl.

Stirred it with a spoon, blew on it, and made sure the temperature was right before bringing it to Julian Grant’s lips: "Drink slowly, it’s freshly made millet porridge, good for the stomach."

Julian Grant obediently opened his mouth, the warmth of the porridge soothingly sliding into his stomach, making him squint.

He watched Josephine focused on blowing the porridge, his eyes full of smile: "Better than the one my housemaid makes."

"You always know what to say." Josephine chided him lightly, but her hand didn’t stop, feeding him spoonful by spoonful.

When Julian Grant had drunk more than half the bowl, she put down the spoon and picked up a napkin to wipe the corner of his mouth, "Do you want more?"

"No, want to save some space for the dumplings you bought." Julian Grant pulled her hand, his fingertips lightly grazing her palm, "You haven’t eaten either? Go eat something."

Josephine hadn’t eaten anything since morning.

She picked up the remaining porridge, just drank two sips.

Julian Grant let out a sharp breath.

She immediately put down the bowl: "What’s wrong? Does the wound hurt?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to turn over, accidentally pulled it." Julian Grant smiled to assure her, but the sweat on his forehead betrayed him.

Josephine didn’t believe him, got up and walked around to the other side of the bed, carefully adjusting the pillow’s position, gently massaging his uninjured back: "Don’t move, lie properly, the nurse will come to change the dressing soon."

While speaking.

The nurse pushed the treatment cart in, seeing the two’s interaction, couldn’t help but laugh: "Mr. Grant, your girlfriend is so attentive, watched over you the whole night, now busy again today."

Josephine’s cheeks reddened, just about to explain.

Julian Grant spoke first: "Isn’t she? She’s worked hard."

He winked at Josephine, the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.

The nurse took off the bandage on Julian Grant’s left arm.

The fresh wound still showed redness, the stitches clear and visible.

Josephine looked at it, her heart clenched again, instinctively holding his uninjured hand.

Julian Grant felt her tension, held her back, softly saying: "It’s not painful, don’t worry."

After changing the dressing.

The nurse instructed on a few precautions and left.

The ward quieted down again.

Julian Grant looked at the exhaustion in Josephine’s eyes, painfully saying: "Go lie on the side bed for a while, I’m fine, I’ll call if I need you."

"No need, I’m staying with you."