Chapter 241
The cheerful chatter around the dinner table came to an abrupt halt, as if everyone. was waiting for Jonathan to define exactly who Niamh was.
After a moment of silence, Jonathan finally spoke, his tone mild and composed.
“Niamh isn’t Preston Winslow’s girlfriend… She’s-”
He paused, almost unconsciously, before finishing,
“She’s about to become my ex–wife.”
He said it as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, his expression calm and
unruffled.
Galloway and Edna couldn’t hide the awkwardness on their faces.
Edna quickly tried to steer the conversation back on track. “Come on, let’s eat, let’s eat. Now, where were we just now?” she said, feigning casualness.
Of course, she was only pretending to be surprised; it was crucial that Jonathan believed this was the first time she’d ever heard Niamh’s name. In reality, Marina had told her all about Jonathan’s marriage ages ago. His wife’s name was Niamh.
But in Marina’s telling, Niamh was just a stay–at–home wife–dutiful, quiet, who dropped out of college to marry Jonathan. Edna had even seen a picture of her, courtesy of Marina. Back then, Niamh was pretty but plain, the kind of woman who didn’t know how to dress herself, completely unlike the stunning, sophisticated woman sitting across from them tonight.
At first, Edna was sure her own daughter would marry into the Thomas family and become Jonathan’s wife. But then Marina broke up with him right after high school and moved abroad, and Jonathan didn’t chase after her. Edna had always regretted that Marina and Jonathan’s story ended before it really began.
She never expected that after Marina returned home, Jonathan would still treat her with the same warmth as before, and Edna’s old hopes rekindled. Maybe, just maybe, they could pick up where they left off.
That was when Edna finally learned Jonathan had been married for three years.
But Marina hadn’t given up.
Neither had Edna.
She knew Niamh and Jonathan were going through a divorce. She always felt that,
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now that her brilliant daughter was back in town, Jonathan would drop Niamh at the first opportunity.
But here they were, all this time later, and Jonathan still hadn’t divorced Niamh.
On the surface, Edna and Galloway were in Aldenville for business. In truth, Edna’s real purpose was to help Marina. She wanted nothing more than to see her daughter become the lady of the Thomas family.
Just now, Edna’s probing questions about Niamh had been intentional–a test for Jonathan.
Meeting Niamh in person tonight had genuinely surprised her. Marina had talked plenty about Niamh, but Edna had always pictured her as a timid housewife who barely left the house. She hadn’t expected to meet a woman who looked nothing like those old photos. With just a hint of makeup, Niamh looked like a movie star. No wonder Jonathan hadn’t finalized the divorce.
Edna understood men.
Every man, she thought, wants to have it all–the perfect wife at home, and a bit of excitement elsewhere.
But her daughter deserved to be the one at home, not the “bit of excitement” on the side. Being the other woman meant no status, no recognition–and Edna would never accept that.
Only as Jonathan’s lawful wife could Marina take her rightful place as lady of the Thomas Group. That would bring both prestige and advantage to their family.
As Edna picked at her dinner, she kept a close eye on Jonathan. Jonathan might not be divorced yet, but she could see it clearly-
He didn’t love Niamh.
Sure, maybe he was captivated by her beauty and reluctant to let go, but real love is impossible to fake. Jonathan hadn’t spared Niamh a single glance all evening.
Meanwhile, Preston Winslow, sitting across from Niamh, couldn’t take his eyes off her. His gaze shone with admiration; it was obvious he was completely smitten.
Jonathan really hadn’t looked at Niamh–not once.
And Niamh hadn’t looked at Jonathan, either–not once.
Everyone at both tables knew each other, and yet, they acted like complete strangers.
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Jonathan and his group had started their meal earlier, but because they kept
discussing business–specifically, the land at Northriver–they lingered at the table for quite a while.
