Niamh froze.
Her long lashes fluttered upward, and in the depths of her eyes, Jonathan’s striking face was reflected back at her.
He looked utterly serious.
But for a moment, Niamh couldn’t understand why Jonathan had to say these words with such gravity.
She remembered the fireworks show Jonathan had arranged.
The hot air balloon, the cake, the fireworks bursting across the night sky-
It really had been the most romantic birthday party she’d ever had.
She’d been confused at the time, but also deeply moved.
And yet, the more she’d been touched, the more her heart had pounded with hope and happiness…
The worse it had hurt when the knife finally came. The deeper the wound.
Niamh was silent for a long time before forcing a faint smile.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said softly. “Those fireworks weren’t for me.”
4
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+
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Ms as my
2
4
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They were for Marina.
It had been charity–a consolation prize after he’d helped Marina snatch away the gemstone Niamh had reserved for herself.
Ex
Niamh tried to wrench her hand out of Jonathan’s grasp, but he held her arm in a vice–like grip, painfully tight.
B
”
W
”
“What are you doing?!”
+
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3 NA
Only when Elmer appeared did Jonathan finally let go.
.
2 #
He noticed the angry red marks blooming on Niamh’s pale arm and realized, belatedly, just how hard he’d been holding her.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but before he could get a word out, Elmer’s voice cut in.
“Are you all right? Does it hurt? Here, let me see.”
Elmer bent and gently blew on the marks on Niamh’s arm. The cool air soothed the sting a little.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” she managed, then glanced at Jonathan before turning and heading to the restroom.
Jonathan had the distinct feeling she’d just glared at him.
“Mr. Thomas, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop harassing your ex–wife. It’s not a good look.”
The word “ex–wife” coming from Elmer’s mouth was like salt in a fresh wound for Jonathan.
But instead of anger, he only managed a faint smile.
“Are you sure… she’s my ex–wife?”
Jonathan’s quiet reply caught Elmer off guard.
“What are you talking about?”
Jonathan’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “What if Niamh and I never actually divorced?” he said casually, then turned and strolled back to his seat.
His dinner had long grown cold, but Jonathan picked up his fork and knife and began eating as if nothing had happened. No one could tell if he actually tasted the food, or if he was just going through the motions.
When Niamh emerged from the restroom, she found Elmer still waiting for her.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked at him with concern. “Did Jonathan say something to upset you?”
“No…” Elmer shook his head, hesitating.
It wasn’t until they’d both sat down again that he finally blurted out, “Nia, you and Jonathan… you’re divorced, right?”
“Of course!” Niamh replied without hesitation, though she couldn’t quite figure out why Elmer was suddenly asking, or why he seemed so nervous about it.
“Good. That’s… good.”
Elmer didn’t press further, and soon they were chatting about other things.
But Jonathan’s words-“What if Niamh and I never actually divorced?“–stuck in Elmer’s mind like a splinter, impossible to ignore.
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Chapter 379
Jonathan, Niamh, and Elmer had all started eating at nearly the same time, but since Jonathan was dining alone, he finished more quickly.
After paying the bill, he stood and glanced towards the window.
Niamh and Elmer were still deep in conversation, laughing together as they finished
their meal.
Jonathan turned away, pulling two gift boxes from the pocket of his tailored
trousers.
He hesitated, then tucked one back inside.
That box–the one Sprague had handed him–he hadn’t even bothered to check what was inside.
Chapter 380
