9

This possibility was unbearable for Elijah. He had a severe headache as he dialed again: “Find the location of Josephine's first commercial shoot seven years ago.” During the waiting period, he recalled many things again. Recalling Josephine's passionate pursuit of him three years ago, she was so bold and bright at that time. When she confessed her love to him, she was straightforward and said she liked him and wanted to be with him. No one like her had ever entered Elijah's life—so candid, pure, and sincere. He could scarcely suppress his instinct to draw near her. When with her, he felt an unusual calm wash over him, free from irritability or anxiety. Josephine was like a pool of clear water, soothing all his turmoil. But then Winifred returned. Elijah kept catching Josephine “bullying” her, so he instinctively shielded Winifred, gradually distancing himself from Josephine without realizing it. Only now did Elijah finally grasp it. He had indeed begun valuing Winifred more than Jo