She had changed into the outfit Daisy bought, holding her old clothes in front of her, stained with Cassie's blood. Joseph looked down at her while she was wholly immersed in the light of the sunset, looking like a helpless bird, so lovely and pretty.
He sighed deeply.
Irish was surprised by the sound and slowly turned around. Seeing her biting her lips and with red eyes, Joseph lowered his hand to touch her face, saying softly, "You can cry if you want."
Irish's eyes soon filled with tears.
Joseph ached for her and lifted her up without hesitation, pulling her into his arms. Next, her tears fell down. The nervousness and concern she had been hiding had now turned into a flood of tears.
She finally burst out crying. She pressed her face in his bosom and embraced him tightly.
Joseph didn't say anything but kept one hand caressing her head, providing a silent spiritual comfort for her.
Irish cried sorrowfully as he comforted her silently.
The tears made his shirt wet and made his heart ache. As he saw her, he had an impulse to comfort her in his arms. He had a clear idea about the relationship between her and Cassie. He understood her desperation when she saw Cassie covered in blood as she rushed her to the hospital.
She was afraid of losing something, just like him.
Maybe because she had lost so much, she cherished everyone around her more.
After a while, Irish stopped crying and only sobbed lightly.
Joseph spoke with a strong and assuring voice, "Cassie will be okay because you are so concerned about her."
Irish gripped his shirt tightly, whimpering, "But Joseph, I'm so afraid. Cassie has already bled a lot…." And then her tears came out again, "You didn't see it. The whole bathtub was bloody...she was just limp in my arms as if she were asleep."
"Everything will be fine." Joseph didn't know how to comfort others very well and hated himself at this moment. He wished he was good at saying sweet words to comfort her, but he was mostly silent.
Irish raised her head and looked at him in tears, "Joseph. Tell me Cassie will be okay, alright?"
Her helplessness made his heart ache.
He caressed her forehead and said word by word, "She will be okay."
Irish was a little moved.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead lightly. She then closed her eyes as her tears fell down. His kiss slowly moved down to her eyes, nose, and finally to her red lips.
She cried even harder.
Time passed without either of them noticing.
Suddenly, someone opened the door. Jay's voice sounded out, "Irish..."
He stopped mid-sentence as he saw them embracing and kissing each other.
Irish responded immediately. The next moment, she pushed Joseph away. There were still tears in the corners of her eyes. She looked at the door, completely at a loss.
Joseph frowned and felt helpless because of the sudden intrusion.
As a police officer, Jay returned to his normal facial expression after several seconds of silence. He cleared his throat and said, "Cassie is out of the emergency room now."
Irish quickly ran out of the lounge. Joseph didn't follow her at once but stayed there. Jay shot a glance at him. He wanted to say something but stopped himself. After a while, he turned to leave.
However, as he stepped out, Joseph said to him in a low voice, "Irish was with me in Light Town, South Africa, and Hong Kong."
Jay stopped suddenly and turned to look at him. He felt surprised and frowned after a while, "Although I don't know you, I don't think you are someone who is willing to disclose your privacy to others."
Joseph looked at him with a placid expression, "I'm not trying to disclose anything to you. Instead, I hope you can protect Irish if it's necessary. You are very important to her."
"I think you should give up. It's impossible for you to be with her. You know that you two will face many difficulties." Jay said directly.
Joseph smiled lightly and asked, "Jay, do you think emotions are controllable?"
Jay looked at him questioningly.
"If they were, I don't think you would be in love with Lilith." He smiled again, but it made Jay feel cold.
"I will protect her." He stayed silent for two minutes, then turned to leave.
Joseph smiled lightly.
The dim light moved to his cheek. His eyes were cold.
****
Cassie was out of danger now. The doctors had saved her. However, her face was still pale. Lying in bed, she was still unconscious. There was gauze on her other hand, which was as white as her skin.
Irish sat beside the bed, looking at Cassie silently. Cassie's mother cried with happiness and joy, but Lilith kept silent. Fredrick was standing at the door, and he was exhausted. As he looked at Cassie, he felt full of regret.
The night was around the corner, but the hospital was brilliantly lit.
Joseph's phone rang again and again. Daisy was in a dilemma since she was acting as a mediator. It was too late, so he had to leave the hospital. Before leaving, he ordered Daisy to stay and bring Irish back home. Jay heard about it, and he walked forward and said to Joseph, "I will bring her back."
Joseph hesitated for a while and turned to look at Irish, who was still beside the bed. He could only see her back, tiny but strong. Although she had cried loudly and helplessly in the lounge, she nodded finally and asked whether Lilith would go.
Lilith did not want to go, but she had some work to deal with, so she had to ask Joseph to take her with him. As she said that, she shot a glance at Jay, and he gestured to her that he would call her later. She felt a little happier when she saw him.
Joseph told Cassie's parents that he had to leave. They felt very grateful for his presence, so they all stood up and extended their thanks to him.