Chapter 141

"I don't want it," Marguerite refused again.

Joshua forcefully pushed the fruit into her hands. "If you don't eat it, I'll just throw it away. You wouldn't want to waste food, would you?"

Marguerite fell silent.

He always used to say that. Back when he first started pursuing her, she'd refused

all his gifts-perfumes, jewelry, you name it. He even tried giving her top-secret

study guides when he saw how much she loved to learn.

Eventually, he switched to bringing her food, all sorts of delicious treats.

And if she didn't eat them, he'd throw them away.

She couldn't stand seeing food wasted, so after reluctantly accepting a few times, she discovered that everything he brought was actually incredible. Her inner foodie found it hard to say no after that.

"It's all your favorite fruit. Just keep it." Joshua took off his mask, revealing his handsome face. "I've missed you all these years, Marguerite. I've always loved you."

Marguerite's brow furrowed slightly.

Constantly declaring his affection for her-that was another one of Joshua's habits. During the three years he chased her in high school, he'd tell her he liked her at least ten times a day. They were in the same class, and he frequently scrawled confessions on the chalkboard for everyone to see. There wasn't a single person in the entire school, student or teacher, who didn't know he was in love with her.

The teachers told him to tone it down.

Joshua would just shake his head. "Impossible. My feelings for Marguerite can't be contained."

Calling his parents was useless; they just said they couldn't control him. The teachers were helpless. It wasn't like the school could expel him for it.

His final grand confession had been a spectacle. He'd set up hundreds of fireworks on Northpine's largest beach, each one designed to explode into words that lit up the night sky: Marguerite, I love you — Joshua.

That night, nearly half of Northpine saw the magnificent display. Everyone knew how Joshua felt about Marguerite.

Back then, she had been sure he loved her.

Now, she wasn't so sure, and frankly, she didn't care. She had absolutely no interest in him anymore.

"I love myself, too," Marguerite said, her eyes curving into a smile.

Seeing her finally smile at him, Joshua's heart leaped. "Then does that mean we're..."

"Rivals," Marguerite finished for him.

Marguerite turned and took the fruit back to her hospital room.

A devilish grin spread across Joshua's face. If she can accept the first gesture, she'll accept the second.

He was about to press his advantage and take a step inside when Marguerite emerged again, a bill in her hand. She stuffed it into his.

It was the same bill she'd found near Anna's feet earlier. She'd suggested they split it three ways, but Anna had pointed out that a hundred dollars does divide evenly So, Anna had pulled out another two hundred, giving Nancy and Aaron a hundred each, sending all three of them into a joyful dance.

"This is for the fruit," Marguerite said with a smile. "And if you're going to throw this hundred dollars av

me where. I'll go pick it up. ContentTM

Some people might throw away cake, flowers, or even diamond rings, but very few

would toss cold, hard cash into a trash can.

Joshua, of course, was no fool. He

frowned, clutching the bill.

"Marguerite; I know you're angry about all the scandals over the years but that was all for show, manufactured by the company. I never meant any of it."

He pleaded, "Just tell me what you're thinking! Don't shut me out."

Marguerite looked at him, her expression serious. "I don't like you anymore."

"I don't believe you!"

A sudden, crushing sense of futility washed over Marguerite, like she'd just spent hours arguing with a brick wall.

Ding!

The elevator down the hall chimed.

Marguerite's heart sank. That could be George. She really didn't want him to witness another mark on her already questionable record.

"Then I have nothing else to say to you. You should go."

Joshua tipped the brim of his hat up. "Marguerite, I'll show you my heart again, I'll show you—"

"Shut up and leave!" Marguerite cut him off.

He just shook his head and continued to ramble. "I won't leave. My heart will always be with you, I-"

Suddenly, a brand-new toilet plunger shot out from the room and suctioned itself squarely over Joshua's mouth.

Marguerite stared, dumbfounded. Her eyes widened as she turned to see Jenny grinning in the doorway.

"Look, Maggie," Jenny chirped. "He's quiet now."