What Separates Me and You

Chapter 1 Afraid of Being Forgotten

Josephine Vance stared at the clock on the wall. By the time it struck 12, the food on the table had gone cold again.

She took the dishes into the kitchen and reheated them once more.

At 12.50 am, the doorknob turned, and she turned to see that Lewis Alvarez had returned.

His face showed subtle signs of drunkenness as he walked toward her, his suit jacket slung on his arm.

Josephine stood up and poured him a glass of water to help him sober up, but he knocked it over the minute she reached out. Then, he grabbed her chin and kissed her on the lips.

The smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of a woman’s perfume hit her as he approached. She tried to push him away, but he ended up carrying her straight into the bedroom.

The man carelessly threw her onto the bed and leaned over without saying a word.

Josephine bit her lip and silently endured the act, turning her head to stare at the potted plant in the corner of the room.

There was no emotion, only lust and take.

The man grabbed her face and gazed deeply into her eyes, lightly stroking her face with his fingers. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” he asked.

Josephine stared straight at him with watery eyes. He knew she wouldn’t speak. She was mute.

ask her every time.

he was

nuzzle it against his palm like a

was the only way she could comply with him in these

man’s pupils darkened as if a surging undercurrent was about to wash them over. He grabbed her hand and pinned it above her head before kissing

…

to her in bed was empty, but there was

Just as she was putting on the last garment, the phone on the bedside table

bathroom door and then at the phone

text from Sierra

this every time, looking

Josephine froze.

door opened, and Lewis walked out with a towel wrapped around his

were still droplets of water on his body. His wet hair was hanging down, dripping. Drops of water

looked away and lowered her head to button her clothes.

his phone, and glanced at the woman who was dressing with her

“You saw it?”

curled into a smile,

me. We’ll be like how we used to be, and I will take care of you for a lifetime like a brother.”

fall in love with him.

she saw

would probably care, but not about whether she was jealous, hurt, or upset.

were not cared for had no right to be angry.

contrary, her love and emotions would only

he, too, would stomp on her