Chapter 1537 - 1529: Wherever the Gaze Falls, There Lies Eternity: Intimate Gestures

"Why did you bring it here?" Violet Zimmerman asked, puzzled, looking at the tape recorder in Joseph Lancaster’s hand.

"Afraid you’d be bored alone, so I brought it to play some music to lift your spirits."

Joseph was already by the bedside, sitting on the nearby caregiver chair, fiddling with the recorder with his head bowed, then he stood up and placed the earphones into Violet Zimmerman’s ears.

"Sis, listening with earphones is much more intense, sounds better than playing it out loud!"

The soothing songs seeped into her mind; unlike the pop songs Joseph listened to that day, listening to an unfamiliar tune, Violet’s restless heart calmed considerably.

Leaving the recorder by Violet’s side, Joseph stood up again, looked around, and didn’t see anyone else.

"Where’s Auntie? Isn’t she here to take care of you?"

With earphones in both ears, Violet couldn’t hear what Joseph was saying; she just saw the young man’s lips moving and took off the right earphone, looking at him puzzled.

Joseph smiled, "Where’s Auntie? Why isn’t she here?"

"My mom went back; there’s a lot at home she can’t leave." Violet lowered her eyes, hoping for some consolation when her mother arrived, but the outcome remained unchanged.

No divorce, live life well—that was her mother’s advice before leaving. If she really divorced Daxton Lancaster, she feared she’d be kicked out of the family.

Seeing Violet unhappy, Joseph thought it was because there was no one to take care of her, casually grabbed an apple, and said with a smile, "Don’t worry, sis. Everyone’s away on business, but you still have me. I’ve already taken leave from school and will be here at the hospital looking after you for the next few days."

Violet suddenly raised her eyes, staring at Joseph in a daze, as he had already walked out with the apple.

A few minutes later, Joseph returned, now carrying a washed apple, seated himself in the caregiver chair in front of the bed, and focused on peeling the apple.

Violet leaned against the bed, propped up by blankets and pillows behind her, eyes closed as if resting or asleep.

Soon, Joseph finished peeling half the apple, sliced it with a fruit knife, and brought it to Violet, softly calling, "Sis."

Violet opened her eyes, glanced at the half apple offered by the youth, hesitated for a moment, but accepted it.

Joseph placed the remaining half apple and knife on the nearby cabinet, then sat on the bed, removed the earphone from Violet’s right ear, placing it into his own ear.

He mimicked Violet’s posture, leaning against a pillow, his school-uniformed long legs casually crossed on the hospital bed.

Being in close proximity to her young uncle, Violet instinctively moved to the side, but with the limited width of the hospital bed, as soon as she shifted, Joseph moved closer again.

The youth’s slender fingers pressed the earphones, listening to the soothing music while a smile played at his lips, "Sis, I borrowed this tape from a classmate; isn’t it nice?"

Joseph’s behavior and words were utterly natural, with no deliberate attempt to get closer, as if everything was so organic, because in his heart, he always respected Violet as an elder.

"Mm," Violet replied faintly; though she should avoid suspicion, recalling the promise she made to her husband Daxton, she lowered her gaze and silently took a bite of the apple.

Seeing Violet eating without much appetite, the youth’s hand reached over to grab her wrist, and before Violet could react, Joseph had already pulled her hand to his mouth, taking a bite of the apple.