Niamh was still reeling from the fact that, out of all people, it just had to be Jonathan and Marina who caught her at her lowest. What were the odds of that?
“That Jonathan is such a jerk!” Lana spat, practically seething. “You’re hurt this bad and he just drives off? With that witch in tow, no less… He won’t divorce you, but he’ll cheat on you. Honestly, do you think he’s got some kind of split personality or what?”
Lana’s assessment of Jonathan drew a wry smile from Niamh.
If she put the Jonathan she remembered from the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center next to the one she knew now, she had to admit, Lana made a good point.
“Hey, promise you won’t get mad at me for insulting him, okay?”
Lana’s concern for her feelings was obvious, and Niamh let out a sigh.
“I’m divorcing him, Lana. I’m not about to start defending him again.”
“You?” Lana shot Niamh a sidelong glance, then shook her head. “I wouldn’t bet on it.”
Niamh knew that her soft spot for Jonathan had always driven Lana crazy.
“Ms. Rivers!”
Suddenly, the hospital room door swung open and Julian burst in.
Seeing Niamh lying in bed with Lana by her side, he immediately realized how rude
he’d been.
“Sorry, sorry, I should’ve knocked first!”
Niamh wasn’t about to scold Julian. She quickly introduced him and Lana, and of course, Lana wasted no time playing matchmaker, teasingly trying to set her up with Julian.
“I like this guy,” Lana declared, giving Julian a thumbs–up. “Just look at him–he nearly ran himself out of breath getting here because he was worried about you. He’s a thousand times better than your cheating husband.”
Julian blushed, scratching the back of his head, shy but undeniably pleased.
Niamh felt a bit awkward–she hoped Julian wouldn’t take Lana’s words too seriously.
1/3
11.30 1
υπαρισι 20
“Oh, right, Ms. Rivers. My buddy at the courthouse got back to me–your divorce will go through.”
Niamh’s eyes lit up, but the hope faded almost immediately.
“But…”
“Don’t worry,” Julian reassured her, “my friend’s a judge. He said it doesn’t matter how influential your husband is–as long as there’s solid evidence of infidelity, the divorce will happen.”
Julian’s words gave Niamh a much–needed boost, but the thought of gathering proof of Jonathan’s affair sent a dull ache through her chest, sharper than any of her physical wounds.
Later that day, her test results came in. Thankfully, her internal organs were fine, but her leg needed time to heal, and she’d picked up a nasty cold. The doctor recommended she stay in the hospital for further observation.
Meanwhile, Jonathan spent the day with Marina–first at an art exhibition, then at a meet–and–greet, and afterwards, shopping for clothes.
Marina had a thing for pink, and she looked great in it.
She tried on one pink outfit after another–dresses, suits, you name it.
Jonathan didn’t mind waiting. With endless patience, he watched her change, showering her with compliments every time she stepped out in something new.
Now and then, he’d glance at his phone, until a message popped from Prescott on WhatsApp:
Mr. Thomas, per your instructions, the doctor examined Miss Rivers. It’s mostly surface wounds, but the leg injury is serious and she’s caught a cold. She’ll need to stay at least another week. The VIP suite will be held for her as long as necessary.
“Jonathan, how does this dress look?” Marina called out, twirling in a new pink dress.
Jonathan put his phone away and flashed his most charming smile. “Looks great. Really suits you.”
In the end, Jonathan bought every single outfit Marina tried on. By the time he drove her home, it was late and rain still battered the city.
Whenever Jonathan took Marina home, he always walked her all the way upstairs–right to her front door.
2/3
11:30
Chapter 28
Tonight was no different.
“Get some rest. Good night,” he said, turning to leave.
But Marina caught his hand, stopping him.
“Jonathan…”
She pulled him inside, out of the storm and into her apartment.
“With the rain pouring out there, and you know how thunderstorms freak me out…”
Her voice was soft and sweet, like spun sugar, her perfectly made–up face tinted with the rosy glow of the dress.
“Why don’t you stay with me tonight? Just this once… please?”
