Chapter <b>396 </b>
The moment their lips met, he let out a heartfelt sigh.
Indeed, what belonged to him felt the best.
They kissed with urgency<b>, </bpletely unaware that deep inside<b>, </b>Judy felt nothing but disgust.
Joseph hadn’t introduced Judy to his parents<b>, </b>but he had <b>still </b>brought her home discreetly<b>, </b>sneaking her into his room behind their backs.
In broad daylight, the two of them reverted to their most primal state.
Judy found it ridiculous, but at this point, she had no other choice.
And during their earlier conversation, she had already mapped out her next <b>steps</b>.
Dealing with Aurora was one part of it, but more importantly<b>, </b>she needed to elevate her own capabilities.
And <b>Joseph</b>? He made for a perfect stepping stone.
<b>With </b>that in mind, Judy became <b>even </b>more devoted.
After it ended, Joseph held her in his arms<b>, </b>thoroughly content, lost in the bliss of the moment.
He hadn’t realized until now just how suitable Judy was <b>as </b>a partner–how had he not seen it before?
Especially whenpared to Aurora<b>, </b>Judy fit him in every way.
She clung to him sweetly<b>, </b>curled against his chest<b>. </b>
The two looked utterly harmonious<b>, </b>with no trace of their former distance.<ul><li>?? ??? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ? ??</li></ul>
Judy traced circles on his chest with her finger. “Joseph, wouldn’t it be nice <b>if </b>we could stay this happy forever?”
<b>Joseph </b>sighed again, genuinely moved. <b>“</b>Yeah… I <b>was </b>blind before. I didn’t know what I had. That was my fault.”
Judy shook her head, smiling <b>softly </b>with her lips pressed together. <b>“</b><b>No. </b>We’re together now<b>, </b><b>aren’t </b>we? As long <b>as </b>we’re united<b>, </b>
<b>Her </b>words struck Joseph <b>deeply</b><b>, </b>wrapping him in a wave of emotion<b>. </b>
<b>Hearing </b><b>Judy’s </b><b>words</b><b>, </b><b>Joseph </b>felt an overwhelming urge <b>to </b><b>go </b>back in time and p himself <b>across </b>the <b>face</b>.
Why hadn’t he <b>understood </b>her <b>feelings </b>back then?
Why <b>did </b><b>it </b>take him this long <b>to </b>finally <b>realize </b>who truly cared for him and who didn’t?
<b>“</b><b>Don’t </b><b>worry</b>. I <b>promise </b><b>I’ll </b>make <b>our </b>rtionship official <b>as </b>soon as <b>I </b>can<b>,</b>” <b>Joseph </b><b>assured </b>her again and <b>again</b>.
no one can <be </b><b>between </b><b>us</b><b>.</b><b>‘ </b>
“I believe <b>you</b><b>, </b><b>Joseph</b><b>,</b><b>” </b>Judy replied in a <b>syrupy </b><b>voice</b><b>. </b><b>If </b><b>one </b><b>only </b>listened to her <b>tone</b><b>, </b><b>it </b>sounded like she waspletely devoted to the man. But a closer look would reveal she was actually rolling her <b>eyes</b>.
She <b>couldn’t </b>care less <b>about </b>Joseph Hunt anymore.
<b>As </b>long as he was willing <b>to </b><b>give </b>her money<b>, </b>that was all that mattered.
1
“Joseph, what about Aurora… <b>What </b><b>are </b><b>your </b>thoughts on her right now?<b>” </b>
Though she hesitated<b>, </b>Judy finally asked the question.
She knew <b>that </b>if she didn’t bring <b>it </b><b>up</b><b>, </b><b>Joseph </b>might <b>never </b>make <b>a </b><b>decision </b><b>on </b>his own.
Sometimes, she had to push herself to confront him<b>, </b>so he could confront his own feelings, and she could help him <b>grow </b>faster.
Joseph hesitated <b>again</b>.
After everything he had been through with Aurora, and with his father’s warnings ringing in his <b>ears</b><b>, </b>he couldn’t even clearly define his feelings toward her anymore.
He could say he liked <b>Judy</b><b>, </b>but <b>the </b><b>truth </b>was, he <b>had </b><b>never </b>liked Judy as much <b>as </b>he had liked Aurora.
But <b>if </b>it <b>was </b>hate…
Even though Aurora had sent him to jail twice<b>, </b>he had never truly <b>felt </b>hatred for her.