Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 201: Stay with Me for Three More Days

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Stay with Me for Three More Days

Nathaniel Gallagher’s kiss was overwhelming, as if he wanted to consume her whole.

"Mmm..."

Josephine Thompson’s struggle gradually weakened, oxygen deprivation clouding her mind.

Just as she was about to lose consciousness.

He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers, breathing heavily.

"Nathaniel Gallagher, you bastard, please let me go..."

Nathaniel’s voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of fatigue and helplessness, "Stay with me for three more days."

Josephine looked at him bitterly, tears silently slipping down, "Nathaniel, I’m at a loss for words with you. Where is my grandfather now? What have you done to him?"

"...Stay with me for three more days, and I will let you go." Nathaniel avoided the question, loosening his grip a little.

He then gently caressed the tear stains on her cheek, his eyes lined with red bloodshot streaks.

"Do you think I still believe you?" Josephine finally spoke, her voice cracking with sobs, yet each word sharp, "Nathaniel, your promises have never meant anything."

Each time he claimed it would be the last.

But in the end...

There was always another time.

Nathaniel was silent for a moment, the emotions roiling in his eyes gradually settling, leaving only an almost pathological obsession: "This time... it absolutely counts."

"Stay with me for three more days, just as... a final farewell between us."

Josephine felt a chill in her heart, utterly speechless towards him, "Ha~, Nathaniel, you’re truly shameless. Even now, you make such a request?"

"What do I owe you for you to treat me this way?"

She mustered all her strength to hit him, wanting to lash out hysterically!

Alas.

Her frail body and shattered heart rendered her gradually numb and dazed.

More red blood vessels appeared in Nathaniel’s eyes, his heart aching as if cut by a knife.

He gazed at her broken state, lost for words.

"...You owe me nothing, it’s I who wronged you."

"For us to come to this point, I have no words left. I just want to say one last thing to you, perhaps I didn’t love you enough in the beginning. But later on..."

Nathaniel choked, closing his eyes to hide the mist of tears welling up.

The script of life is hard to write.

Always veering off from the original intent and outline.

Fate loves to toy with people.

Love unrequited.

Feelings unavoidable.

Actions beyond one’s control.

Helplessness.

All words describing regret and a broken ending fit them so aptly.

The atmosphere in the room was stagnant.

Josephine’s eyes stung fiercely, a torrent of tears she couldn’t control cascading down.

All the hatred and anger left only endless sighs.

"...Don’t say any more, we’ve come to a full stop between us. There’s no need for further entanglement, nor any need to force it."

"I just want to end this all thoroughly, not be trapped within anymore!"

She didn’t want to hate him!

Adults need to own up quickly to their mistakes.

Blame whom?

Blame it on being too young back then, too inexperienced, shortsighted, easily swept away by love.

Nathaniel sniffled, wrapping her frail body in his arms.

"I’m sorry!"

"No matter what I say, I can’t make up for the harm I’ve caused you. So, I don’t want to say anything more."

"I just want us to temporarily forget all the worries and grievances. Spend three last days together, just like... just like when we first got married."

Josephine, hearing this, began to cry silently.

The more beautiful it once was, the more cruel the ending.

"Please, after three days, I will let you go." Nathaniel tightened his embrace, holding her firmly against him, as if wanting to merge her thin body into his bones and blood.

He rested his chin on the crown of her head, inhaling shallowly her lingering scent mixed with the smell of disinfectant, stinging his nostrils.

"Where is my grandfather now?"

Nathaniel paused a few seconds, "You’re so silly."

"Grandfather is the person dearest to you, how could I possibly do anything to harm him?"

"He’s at a resort hotel, taken care of by a professional medical team."

After hearing this, Josephine felt slightly eased.

However, this couldn’t absolve his sins.

"Nathaniel, if you still care for the four years of our marriage, please let me go, don’t make it harder for me."

Nathaniel felt a sharp pain in his heart, his tone carrying a hint of lament and lingering affection, "Just three days, I won’t force you, I just want..."

His throat caught, tears finally broke the dam, uncontrollably falling down.

He was quite satisfied with the marriage they once had.

Those were the most peaceful and happiest four years of his life.

Time passed peacefully.

Just like any ordinary and happy couple.

Josephine trembled violently in his arms, her sobs stifled in her throat.

Those forcibly sealed memories were easily unearthed by his single remark.

During the newlywed days.

He would thoughtfully peel shrimp for her, accompany her on evening walks, and stay by her bedside without leaving when she was sick.

In those four years.

He never socialized at night, transforming all his past bad habits, becoming a completely different person.

Every day at 5:30, he would return home punctually.

"Is this okay?"

"It’s not..." Josephine shook her head, choking, her nails digging deep into his back, "Nathaniel, we can’t go back anymore... we haven’t been able to for a long time."

He held her tighter, as if fighting against the finality in her words.

"I know we can’t go back."

He closed his eyes, his voice thick with nasal resonance, "I just... want to hold onto a little more hope. Once you’re gone, at least this hope can help me... endure a little longer."

Josephine’s sobbing gradually ceased, leaving only silent tears.

She could clearly feel the vibrations in his chest, sense his suppressed shaking.

This man.

Once her whole world, now the one dragging her into the abyss.

Yet at this moment, the pain and obsession in his eyes stirred an indescribable ache in her heart.

Josephine sniffled, her voice so hoarse it was nearly inaudible, "In three days, you must let me go, and my grandfather..."

"Okay." Nathaniel immediately responded, as if afraid she would change her mind, "I promise, after three days, you and your grandfather will leave safely."

He finally released her, holding her shoulders and looking into her eyes earnestly.

Those deep eyes, streaked with red, held a pain and longing she couldn’t comprehend.

The atmosphere grew tense again.

For quite a while.

Nathaniel forced a stiff smile, as if trying to recapture the past state.

"...Then... I’ll cook dinner tonight. What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone prepare the ingredients."

Josephine gazed at the fake relief in his eyes, feeling like her heart was submerged in icy water, cold and heavy.

He used to always say his hands were clumsy.

Yet he would spend an afternoon in the kitchen for her one remark of "I want to eat your sweet and sour ribs."

Finally, he would bring out a plate of charred, but lovingly made dish, grinning foolishly for her tolerance.

Of course, he knew nothing about cooking.

But now, those scenes were coated with a layer of grime, impossible to wipe clean.

She turned her face away, avoiding his gaze, her voice as light as a feather, "Whatever."

Nathaniel chuckled indulgently, offering, "Then I’ll make your old favorites—squirrel fish and jade tofu,"

He continued talking to himself, a note of caution in his tone, "Remember? You always said the sweet and sour squirrel fish I made was even more to your liking than the restaurant’s."

Josephine did not respond, merely staring blankly at the minute crack on the wall.

Sunlight spilled through the window lattice.

The elongated patch of light on the floor resembled an impassable chasm.

Nathaniel Gallagher stopped speaking, simply watching her quietly.

The room returned to a deathly silence, interrupted only by their slightly hurried breathing interweaving in the air.

He knew she hadn’t forgiven him and understood that these three days were merely a temporary solace.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

Even if it was just a second longer, it was better than the endless emptiness that would follow.

After a while.

He finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "You rest for a bit, I’ll go check on the ingredients. If there’s anything you want to eat, just let me know, and I’ll have someone prepare it."

"Anything’s fine, whatever." Josephine Thompson replied coldly.

She was just playing along, revisiting old memories with him.

Whatever he wanted to do, he could go ahead.

As long as he let her leave after three days.

Of course.

She had no idea that Julian Grant had imposed significant pressure on him.

Even if she had refused to stay with him.

Three days later, he would let her go out of necessity.

"Alright, I’ll go prepare."

As he turned around.

His steps paused, as if he wanted to say something else, but finally, he just gently closed the door.

As the door clicked shut, Josephine Thompson’s tense shoulders collapsed.

She slowly sat on the bed, hugging her knees.

Three days.

She didn’t know what demeanor to adopt to get through these three days. Should she remain indifferent, or occasionally soften?

Perhaps, none of it was necessary.

After all, three days later, they would completely become strangers again.

As if they had never known each other.

...

By evening.

The familiar sweet and sour aroma wafted from the villa’s kitchen.

Josephine Thompson sat on the living room sofa, her fingers unconsciously tracing the texture of the sofa armrest.

It was a style she had personally chosen earlier—a light beige linen cloth.

Now, in Zarathos’s villa, the décor was everywhere similar to Mooncove Bay.

"Dinner’s ready." Nathaniel Gallagher emerged with two plates, wearing a blue checkered apron.

Just like before.

Josephine Thompson silently walked over and took her seat at the dining table.

On the table.

Were squirrel fish, jade tofu, and a bowl of light mushroom soup. The vibrant colors showed his careful effort.

"How is it?"

Josephine Thompson looked coldly and woodenly at the white porcelain bowl in front of her.

He, as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Habitually picked up a piece of fish, carefully removing the bones before placing it in her bowl.

The action was so natural it was as if they had never had arguments or inflicted those hysterical wounds.

Josephine Thompson tightened her grip on the chopsticks and finally put that piece of fish into her mouth.

The sweet and sour sauce spread over her tongue.

The taste was exactly as she remembered, yet her heart felt clogged up and restless.

"Is it good?" Nathaniel Gallagher watched her with eager eyes, like a child waiting for praise.

She didn’t speak, just nodded and continued eating her bowl of rice.

They ate the meal in silence and oppression.

Occasionally, Nathaniel would mention things from the past, like the first time she cooked for him and turned the eggs into charcoal.

Or their seaside vacations when she chased the waves and lost her shoes to the sea.

Josephine Thompson didn’t respond but didn’t interrupt him either.

Those forgotten fragments gradually pieced together with his words, clear enough to make one’s heart ache.

After the meal.

Nathaniel Gallagher went to wash the dishes, and Josephine Thompson stood in the kitchen doorway watching his back.

His actions weren’t very skilled, even a little clumsy, but they were earnest.

The sound of water gushing, reflecting off his lowered brows.

The servants quietly withdrew to the lounge, instinctively avoiding disturbing the couple’s time alone.

Of course.

Their cooking and washing were simply experiences of ordinary life.

Usually, he wouldn’t even bother to open the refrigerator.

"Let me do it."

Nathaniel Gallagher turned to look at her, surprise flashing in his eyes, soon replaced by a smile: "No need, just sit in the living room."

She didn’t move and just stood there. Until he washed the last plate, dried his hands with a cloth, and nearly bumped into her while turning around.

Their proximity was close, with a faint scent of cedar mixed with the lemon of the detergent emanating from him, inexplicably reassuring.

"Get some rest." Josephine Thompson stepped back first, her voice a bit unnatural.

"..." Nathaniel Gallagher didn’t speak, but watched her walk upstairs until her slender figure disappeared around the corner.

Only then did the smile on his face slowly fade, leaving nothing but deep sadness in his eyes.

The next morning.

Josephine Thompson was awoken by the sound of birdsong.

Walking out of her room, she saw Nathaniel Gallagher sitting on a wicker chair in the courtyard, holding a thick photo album.

Sunlight bathed him, encasing him in a soft, golden aura.

"Awake?" he looked up at her, gesturing for her to come over, "Come take a look at this."

The album contained their wedding photos.

She wore a pure white wedding dress, a radiant smile on her face, nestled by his side while he, in a crisp suit, gazed at her with tenderness so deep it could drip.

"Remember how you always said this photo made you look fat?" Nathaniel’s fingers traced over her face in the photo, his voice soft, "But I think it’s just right."

Josephine Thompson’s heart felt like it was stung, a faint ache spread.

She turned her face away, looking out to the distant sea: "The sun’s so bright, let’s go back in."

He didn’t argue, closing the album, and followed her back inside.

In the afternoon.

Nathaniel Gallagher brought out a chessboard, inviting her to play.

It was a pastime they used to enjoy, even though her chess skills were lacking, and she often cheated. Yet he always let her win.

"You don’t have to let me win this time." Josephine said sternly as she placed a piece.

"Alright." Nathaniel agreed, yet still intentionally made a wrong move when she was about to lose.

Josephine noticed but didn’t point it out, silently finishing the game.

Ultimately, she won, but felt no joy.

As the sun set, they sat on the terrace watching it sink below the horizon. The sunset painted the sky a vibrant red, the sea shimmering like a picture.

"We always said we’d move to the seaside when we’re old, watching the sunrise and sunset every day." Nathaniel said softly, "Now, it seems like a luxury."

Josephine didn’t reply, just stared off into the distance.

She understood.

These three days were nothing more than an illusion, once the time was up, they’d return to their separate paths, continuing their scarred lives.

Life was full of regrets.

In time, you’ll get used to them.

"Time to shower and sleep."

Tonight.

He hoped to share a room with her.

He didn’t want to force her.

He hoped it would be her choice, wishing she would remember him fondly.

"Nathaniel, there’s no need for us to share a room, we..."

"Don’t refuse me again, just three days. After that, I promise never to disturb you again, you can go to a place I’ll never find..."