Chapter 242

"Alright, thank you." Joseph elegantly accepts the fruit plate in both hands, thanking her. He picks up a rosy apple from the plate, about to use the fruit knife to peel it, only to hear Melissa speak again. "Hey, when are you leaving?" Melissa checks the time on the dial and now it is 9:37 in the evening. She cannot possibly let Joseph stay here, so she asks this question out of concern for his rest. Joseph pauses, puts down the apple and stares, asking "I just arrived and you want me to leave?" "No, it's just that there's nothing going on, I don't want to delay your rest." Melissa explains honestly as she draws the living room curtains - by ten o'clock the kids should be in bed. Joseph looks down at the half-peeled apple in his hand, speaking to himself in a dejected tone. "This woman’s heart, it’s too harsh isn't it, Alvina?" Joseph nudges Alvin with his eyes, Alvin thinks of their secret pact and immediately nods in agreement. "Isn’t it? But mom's heart is still very kind, it's suc