A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 155

Chapter 155

“Dad, Natalie may not want you anymore, but I do! You’ll always be my father.” Selena carried a cup of hot chocolate into the study for Joseph while Cora was busy putting Kimberly to bed.

Joseph smiled warmly. “Selena, I’m happy you feel that way. Natalie is all grown up now. She has the right to make her own choices. I don’t blame her, and I support her decision. I’m an open-minded man. I respect each of your decisions.”

Selena crossed her arms. “Cora’s not a good woman. We don’t need her!”

Joseph shook his head. “Now you’re just going too far. At your age…”

Selena protested, “Dad, you’re about to start lecturing me again and treating me like a little kid, aren’t you? I may be young, but I know more than you think. Whatever. I don’t want to argue anymore. Rest early.”

Before Joseph could continue nagging, Selena turned around and left, heading upstairs to bed.

A wave of bitterness welled up in his heart.

Cora walked in and noticed that Joseph was just staring into space with an empty mug in his hand. She asked, ” What did Selena say to you?”

Joseph replied, “Nothing. She just came in to give me some hot chocolate.”

Cora asked, “Then why are you spacing out like that?”

Joseph shrugged. “I was thinking about a treatment plan. It’s a little aggressive, so I’m not sure how to explain it to the family.”

Joseph stood up and carried the mug out.

After reminding Kimberly to go to sleep, he returned to the bedroom and prepared to shower.

Cora soon pushed the door open, wearing an almost transparent nightgown.

Joseph’s emotions remained conflicted, but he didn’t chase her away.

Afterward, she pointed to a document resting on the bedside table, claiming that it was information on the project she’d been handling for Jason.

Joseph replied, “I believe you!”

Cora laughed helplessly. “You answered way too quickly. You’re obviously just saying it to make me happy. But since we’re talking about Yvonne, if I become someone’s target someday, would you save me?”

Joseph shrugged. “Would I even be able to save you?”

Cora retorted, “So just because you can’t, you won’t?”

Joseph replied, “How am I supposed to save you if I can’t? It’s not like I’m afraid of dying. If I needed to give my life to save you, I could. I’m just worried about sacrificing my life and still failing to save you. But how about you? Would you be okay if I threw my life away for you?”

Cora immediately answered, “Of course not!”

Joseph chuckled softly. “You answered way too quickly. You’re obviously just saying it to make me happy.”

Cora pouted. “Honey, you’re impossible!”