She tried to stand, wanting to get out of the room, but as soon as she put weight on her legs, they gave out beneath her. Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed Jonathan’s arm for support.
The moment her hand touched him, it was as if she’d been stung by a wasp. She jerked her hand away instantly.
Jonathan’s eyes darkened, and a cold, almost amused smile played at the corner of his lips.
Without another word, he scooped Niamh up and carried her back to the bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed and handed her a bottle of sports drink and a chocolate bar.
Niamh stared blankly as she took the snacks from his hand.
Three years of marriage, and this seemed to be the first time Jonathan had ever so openly shown her such care and consideration.
Whether it was the long soak in the hot spring or something else entirely, Niamh felt a strange warmth spreading through her body.
“Feeling any better?” Jonathan asked.
Niamh avoided his gaze, uncomfortable with the unexpected softness in his eyes.
She wasn’t used to this.
“Yeah… much better,” she murmured.
As soon as she spoke, Jonathan picked up his phone and started a new video call with Marina.
On screen, Marina asked, “What happened? Why did you hang up so suddenly?”
Jonathan replied casually, “Nothing–just rescued a stray cat from the pool.”
He spoke as he left the room, not even glancing back at Niamh.
Lying on the bed, Niamh felt the warmth that had just filled her ebbing away, replaced by a familiar chill.
Clifford had hoped Niamh and Jonathan would stay at the resort for a few more days, secretly wishing they might rekindle their relationship if given the chance.
He knew how deeply Niamh loved Jonathan.
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But since Niamh insisted on leaving, he couldn’t force her to stay.
After leaving the hot spring resort, Niamh went straight to The Thomas Group to begin her resignation process.
HR handled her departure by the book–an exit interview, some paperwork, and a quick financial settlement. It shouldn’t take long.
But when it came to transitioning her workload, Marina insisted she stay until the end of the month.
Niamh couldn’t fathom why Marina wanted her to stay. Wouldn’t her early departure mean less entanglement with Jonathan?
Then again, her current role in the Design Division didn’t have her crossing paths with Jonathan nearly as much as before, when she’d been his assistant. In fact,
Marina interacted with him far more often than she did.
Maybe Marina just wanted an audience for her happy relationship with Jonathan–a few more days to flaunt it in front of Niamh.
The weekend arrived.
The Design Division was throwing a department party–a full–blown house party.
Even though Niamh hadn’t officially left yet, Marina insisted she attend.
She recognized the address immediately: Jade Peak Pavilion.
Once, it had been her and Jonathan’s marital home.
Now, it was the place where Marina and Jonathan lived together.
When Marina posted the address in the department group chat, Niamh finally understood why Marina had been so attentive and friendly se past few days.
This party was just for the Design Division–a little perk Jonathan had agreed to, for Marina’s sake.
Niamh didn’t want to offend Marina right on the eve of her departure. If anything went wrong, it could complicate her resignation.
So, she arrived at Jade Peak Pavilion right on time.
“Everyone’s waiting for you! Come in!” Marina greeted her warmly, the perfect hostess.
Niamh sighed inwardly and forced herself to step inside.
14:01
Chapter 128
A wave of floral fragrance hit her–the whole house was filled with pink roses, Marina’s favorite.
The curtains, the sofa, even the dinnerware–everything was pink, just the way Marina liked it.
Compared to the last time she’d been here, the place felt completely foreign.
Her colleagues from the Design Division were scattered around: some playing games, others singing karaoke, snacking, scrolling on their phones-
No one, in fact, was waiting for her.
Niamh just wanted to find a quiet corner to hide in, but ended up nearly bumping
into someone.
He was coming out of the kitchen with a plate of freshly made fried pork cutlets, an apron still tied around his waist.
Niamh froze, caught off guard.
