When Love Breaks (Josephine) novel Chapter 2

"What's wrong, honey? Are you cold?"

Zayn was quick to notice her subtle reaction.

He leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers to check her temperature.

"You seem to be down with a fever."

A fever?

Josephine had a slight headache, but she simply assumed that it was due to mental exhaustion and didn't pay much attention to it.

Now that Zayn pointed it out, she realized that it was likely due to spending too much time at the seaside and being exposed to the chilly breeze.

Before she could respond, Zayn was already on the phone with his assistant, Shawn Middleton.

"Shawn, call the specialists from last time and have them come over immediately. Josephine seems to have caught a cold again."

Upon ending the call, he immediately carried her to the bed and said gently, "Honey, just lie down for a bit. I'll have the housekeepers bring some food for you."

He kissed her gently and was about to make his way downstairs when his phone rang again.

Upon seeing the caller ID, his expression stiffened.

"Just give me a second. I'll be right back," Zayn said as he shut the door gently behind him.

After a while, the housekeepers brought the food in, but Zayn was nowhere to be seen.

Josephine didn't bother to ask.

"Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Forbes has asked me to tell you that there's an urgent matter at the company that he needs to attend to."

"I see. Just leave the food on the table."

"Yes, Mrs. Forbes," the housekeeper replied and headed back downstairs.

Shortly after, Josephine received a message from Zayn.

It read, "Honey, there's an urgent matter at the company, so I can't make it home to feed you.

"Also, the specialists just called and said that they are in the middle of treating a critical patient and won't be able to come until tomorrow morning. But don't worry, I've already asked the housekeepers to get some medicine for you. Promise you'll take it, okay?"

This was how Zayn always acted. While he wasn't by her side, he would always make sure to show he cared for her.

As expected, the housekeeper soon returned with the medicine.

"Mrs. Forbes, it's time for you to take your medicine."

"Alright. Just leave it there."

However, the housekeeper persisted, "But Mr. Forbes insists that I watch you take it."

Josephine smiled. Zayn still cared so deeply for her.

As she took the medicine, the housekeeper couldn't help but remark in envy, "Mrs. Forbes, you truly are so lucky to have a husband like Mr. Forbes. He's so considerate and caring."

She was right. Everyone knew how lucky she was, except for her.

After seeing Josephine take the medicine, the housekeeper left.

Josephine was just about to drift off to sleep when her phone suddenly buzzed with a message notification. It was another message from Nadine.

"Josephine, Zayn told me that you're sick. Are you feeling better? By the way, the specialists he called for you are here with me."

Attached with the message was a video. It showed ten specialists surrounding Nadine, all with smiles on their faces.

Meanwhile, Zayn was seen to be lovingly holding Nadine in his arms. The intimacy and affection he displayed were no less than what he had shown her.

Josephine's heart clenched painfully at the sight and she couldn't help but clutch her chest tightly.

Was she the critical patient Zayn was talking about?

Why did he have to lie to her?

Nothing infuriated her more than lies. It reminded her too much of her parents' marriage.

In their case, it was her mother, Sarah Ferk, who had been unfaithful. She cheated on her father, Benjamin Dunn, yet continued to treat him with such care when she was at home. Therefore, Josephine had grown up believing that her parents had a strong and loving relationship.

It wasn't until one day that Benjamin found out about her affair, and in a rage, he kicked her out of the house.

From that moment on, she was forced to grow up without a mother by her side.

Fortunately, Benjamin's business prospered over time, allowing her to live a life of luxury from a young age.

That said, no amount of wealth could fill the emotional void of not having a mother.

Since then, Josephine had come to despise lies and betrayal and never thought that such a thing would befall her.