Tears welled up in Johanna’s eyes again <b>as </b>she choked out, “I missed you too… Archie.
After their moment of tenderness, Johanna seemed to recall something. Grabbing the man before her, she asked anxiously, “Archie, weren’t you on that ship when the ident happened? I thought you were really <b>dead</b>…. I <b>almost </b>wanted to give up on living!” She then started sobbing
“You silly girl. Aren’t I standing right here in front of you now?” The man gently wiped away her tears and said softly, “Time is tight. I’ll exin everything to youter.”
“Johanna, you must return to that old woman’s side and ensure her child is born safely!”
Johanna pouted, a flicker of jealousy and resentment shing in her eyes as she snorted, “Are you more concerned about the baby in her belly or that old woman, huh? Hmph!TM
“My darling, don’t you already know who I care about most?” Archie chuckled indulgently while he continued his intimate actions. “T told you, I missed you so much that I was about to go crazy!”
<b>Johanna </b>gasped softly, her heart filling with joy and sweetness from their reunion. The jealousy and resentment melted away quickly. She replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve been taking good care of her and the baby. They’re both fine and healthy.”
“That’s good. My ns are almostplete.”
Archie smiled, but a ruthless glint shed in his eyes. “Once Stephan is dead, Imogen will have no one else to rely on but me, and the child in her belly
“Johanna, it won’t be long before the Russell family is ours. I’ll protect you, and we’ll never have to be at anyone’s mercy or bullied again! I promised you that I’ll always protect you, <b>love </b>you, and be your rock,” <b>Archie </b>said as he nted a kiss on her forehead. “Trust me, Johanna ”
“Of course, I trust you. In my life, no one will ever be more important <b>than </b>you.”
The two of them embraced tightly, savoring the fleeting joy of their reunion.
Elsewhere, Andy, who had finished his patrol, was heading toward them. When he didn’t immediately spot Johanna by the stream, he panicked and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Ms. Rosario! Ms. Rosario! Where <b>are </b>you?”
His voice startled the pair hiding in the bushes.
Archie quickly zipped up his jacket and said to <b>Johanna</b>, “Time is running out. I need to finish what I started<b>. </b>Johanna, wait for me to
“Okay. Be careful. Stay <b>safe</b>!”
Johanna watched him leave with a heavy heart. Her longing was palpable, but she quicklyposed herself as Andy’s voice grew closer. She hurriedly got dressed and stepped out from the bushes.
Andy was startled to see her and immediately scanned her flushed <b>face</b>. He asked, “Ms. Rosario, what were <b>you </b>doing in the bushes<b>? </b>You scared me! I thought something happened to you!”
“…I just washed my face and feet and needed to answer nature’s call, okay? If not here, where else<b>?</b>”
Johanna rolled her eyes at him, then turned and walked away <b>as </b>if nothing had happened. Her <b>usual </b>high–and–mighty demeanor remained intact.
<b>Andy </b>scratched his head, confused. Who would hide in the bushes to answer <b>nature’s </b>call ande out blushing like that?
Still, it made sense. Solving such “problems” outdoors could be embarrassing for anyone.
Satisfied with that exnation, Andy nced briefly at the bushes again. Seeing nothing but thick <b>grass </b>and calm surroundings, he thought nothing more <b>and </b>followed Johanna back to camp.
Perhaps it was the coolness of the stream or the beauty of the scenery, but Johanna’s mood visibly improved. She even became noticeably more attentive and cheerful toward Imogen.
Imogen, smiling, teased her, “You should take a break too. Aren’t you tired from all this running around? Come, sit here. Let me <b>wipe </b>your sweat.”
Johanna replied with a grin, “I’m not tired. How could I be? The baby in your belly is my little precious too. Taking <b>care </b>of you is only natural!”
“Oh? So I’m no longer your sister–inw now?” Imogen raised her eyebrows yfully, her unfocused eyes glinting as she teased.