A bright smile blossomed across Marina’s face.
It was the first genuine smile she’d worn all day.
A sudden burst of cheers erupted from the golf course.
“Hole in one!”
“That’s incredible! I’ve been playing ten years and never managed that!”
“And it’s a real stunner who did it! Look, over there!”
Following the gawking crowd’s gaze, Marina spotted Niamh standing beside
Jonathan.
Niamh was Marina’s opposite in every way. Her outfit wasn’t particularly bold, yet the understated elegance suited her, giving her a quiet, refined charm.
Right now, Niamh’s expression was a mix of shock and delight, her bright eyes wide
with disbelief.
Jonathan stood close at her side, his arm wrapped casually around her waist.
Instantly, Marina felt a surge of jealousy burn behind her eyes, her teeth grinding together so hard she could almost hear it.
*
Night fell, and the Grand Celestia’s ballroom sparkled with laughter and clinking glasses.
As the evening’s hostess, Susy was the picture of opulence. She wore a shimmering gold silk gown that hugged her figure, her hair styled in loose, glamorous waves, adorned with a diamond–studded gold hairpiece.
She carried herself with the effortless grace of old money, looking every inch the
heiress she was.
Tonight, Susy was entertaining the guests alone–Julian was nowhere to be seen.
Her family held to tradition: the bride and groom weren’t to meet the night before the wedding.
From the edge of the room, Niamh watched Susy give her welcome speech, unable to stop her mind from wandering to Julian’s recent confession.
12-41
To this day, she couldn’t understand what Jullan saw in her.
If Susy was the classic white swan, Niamh felt like the ugly duckling.
Susy finished her speech, and the festivities began in earnest.
The wedding had drawn a crowd; the grand ballroom was so packed it was almost hard to move.
Prescott arrived fashionably late, handing two documents over to Jonathan.
Niamh noticed and walked over on her own.
“Is that the finalized divorce certificate?”
“Do you really have to bring this up right now?”
Jonathan’s expression remained unchanged, but there was a clear edge of irritation
in his voice.
Niamh glanced at Prescott.
He stayed silent.
“Yes,” Jonathan finally replied.
“Can I see it?”
“Do you really think I’d lie to you about this?”
Jonathan was smiling, but Niamh could sense his annoyance only deepening.
She took the divorce papers from his hand, eyes drawn to the clear seal of the Blackspire Family Court.
It was official. Her marriage to Jonathan was over–at least as far as Blackspire was concerned.
Holding the certificate, Niamh stood in silence for a long moment.
She wasn’t even sure what she was thinking. Her mind was blank, her heart oddly
hollow.
“Regretting it?” Jonathan’s voice cut into her thoughts, startling her. She shook her head and answered softly, “No.”
She didn’t regret it.
Divorcing Jonathan was what she wanted.
She was just dazed, as if the three years of marriage had been nothing but a dream.
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Chapter 319
Jonathan took the papers back quickly.
“If this certificate isn’t sent for consular legalization, it won’t be valid in Aldonia.”
“I know,” Niamh replied with a nod.
Jonathan had explained all of this before they’d even set foot in Blackspire.
She wasn’t in any rush to keep the divorce papers–for now, it made no difference.
“After Julian and Susy’s wedding tomorrow, I’ll have Prescott handle the consular process.”
“All right,” Niamh said, then turned and walked away.
Jonathan watched as she retreated, his irritation lingering in his eyes like a stubborn ink stain.
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