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Chapter 96
“After he got out of the hospital, they kicked him out of school, and his family business took a hit, too. Before Hong, they went bankrupt and had to leave Oak Lake with their tails between their legs.
“Yeah, and Joshua got himself thrown in jail for a bit. His granddad was fuming and wanted him to stay there for a few days. But his grandma, bless her heart, couldn’t stand it and kept pleading with his granddad until he gave in. Eventually, Joshua was let out, but not before the Fisher family paid David’s family a huge sum to make things right. And boy, did Joshua get a talking–to from his granddad.”
Brian gave Allison a knowing look. “Allie, back then, I thought Joshua was just sticking up for you because you were being picked on. I didn’t realize until recently that he actually had a thing for you all along.”
Allison felt a storm of emotions. Her grip on the wine glass tightened until her knuckles turned white. She never imagined Joshua would go to such lengths for her, nearly landing himself in serious trouble. The thought shook her to her core, and she worried she was becoming a burden to him.
Joshua had always been the golden child in his parents‘ eyes, the model student to his teachers, and the star everyone else aspired to be. His future was so bright, and if he had to carry the weight of a crime because of her, she couldn’t bear it.
Allison blinked, her nose tingling with emotion.
By the time they got back to Lakeside Residences, it was way past midnight. The night air was crisp, and the moonlight felt distant and cold. Allison got out of the car and, with her head down, walked quietly ahead.
Joshua followed her into the complex. “Allie, please don’t be mad.”
Allison kept her silence.
At the apartment, Allison tried to close the door, but Joshua squeezed in, looking hurt. “Allie, are you afraid of
-me?”
He rushed to explain, “Please don’t be scared. I’m not violent, and I’d never hurt you. That day, he just… said things that pushed me over the edge. I can’t stand anyone talking about you that way…”
Allison looked up at him, letting out a soft sigh. “Joshua, I’m not afraid of you, and it’s not about getting hurt. I’m just worried about you…”
Joshua gently pulled her into his arms, “It’s all behind us now.”
Leaning against him, Allison felt her eyes sting and her voice breaking slightly, “Please, don’t be so reckless again. If you’d really hurt someone because of me, it could ruin everything… it’s not worth it, not for me…
Joshua’s voice was gentle. “But I didn’t seriously hurt anyone.”
Allison playfully punched him. “Don’t even say that!”
Joshua’s warm, steady hand rubbed her back soothingly like he was calming a child. “Okay, okay, I get it. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Allison’s voice was muffled. “How long were you in there?”
“Not too long.”
Her voice wavered, heavy with emotion. “Was it awful? I heard the food there is terrible. They just serve plain oatmeal and bread. How did you handle it?”
Joshua chuckled, “Yeah, it’s not exactly gourmet. I treated it like I was on a diet.”
Hearing this, Allison couldn’t help but smile through her tears, giving him another light punch. “You’re not even a bit overweight. What diet are you talking about? Are you trying to wind me up?”
14:57
Chapter 96
“Alright, let’s drop it, okay?”
Allison looked up at him, her eyes red. “Joshua, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry. This was something I chose to do. It wasn’t on you.”
Her nose tingled as tears pooled in her eyes and slowly rolled down her cheeks. Joshua gently cupped her face, wiping away the tears with his thumb. “Why are you crying? Seeing your teams breaks my heart, too.”
With that, Joshua leaned down, his warm, soft lips gently kissing away the tears from her cheeks.
