It was the first time she’d ever seen Jonathan in an apron.
Back when they’d depended on each other in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, or later when he’d waited for her outside the university gates, Jonathan had always seemed like someone who’d never set foot in a kitchen. In Niamh’s memory, he was simply not the cooking type.
Three years of marriage, and Jonathan had never cooked a single meal.
In fact, if it hadn’t been for that accidental run–in at the grocery store with Jonathan and Marina, Niamh wouldn’t have even known he could cook.
She couldn’t help but give him a once–over.
His apron wasn’t some cutesy pink thing, but a deep navy, made of sturdy canvas–worn, roomy, and clearly not new.
It was obviously picked out specifically for Jonathan.
Which meant he was the one who usually cooked, not just putting on a show for this party.
Niamh couldn’t quite put her finger on why, but the realization left an uncomfortable knot inside her.
“Niamh, you haven’t tried Jonathan’s cooking, have you? Go on, have a bite–it’s really good.”
Marina sauntered over, putting on a show as she handed Niamh a fork.
Niamh didn’t take it.
“Niamh, you’re leaving the company soon, but Marina still went out of her way to invite you. Don’t be ungracious!”
Jayne’s voice rang out from behind.
She technically wasn’t supposed to be at this Design Division party, but her friendship with Marina had been her ticket in.
Niamh finally accepted the fork and picked up a piece of fried pork cutlet.
It tasted good–almost as good as her own. But she realized she didn’t actually enjoy it.
When Niamh frowned, Marina asked with feigned concern, “What’s wrong, not to
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your taste? Maybe I’m just used to Jonathan’s cooking.”
Marina beamed and leaned her head against Jonathan’s shoulder, looking every inch the blissful partner. The cutlet in Niamh’s mouth suddenly turned bland and flavorless.
This party had been Marina’s idea–a favor she’d coaxed out of Jonathan.
After that trending topic online, too many people at work had gotten the wrong idea, thinking she’d come between Jonathan and Niamh’s marriage.
But as far as Marina was concerned, she was never “the other woman.”
She’d known Jonathan first.
She was his first love.
If she hadn’t insisted on going abroad back then, and if Jonathan hadn’t been trying to get back at her, would Niamh have even had a chance?
From the very beginning, Niamh was just a pawn in the game between her and Jonathan.
Now that she was back in the country–back by Jonathan’s side–even though he hadn’t divorced yet, what did a marriage certificate actually prove?
Jonathan had never once acknowledged Niamh as his wife in public.
Marina liked to think she understood Jonathan well enough.
She’d dumped him once, and now that she’d come back, Jonathan hadn’t exactly begged to marry her.
Likewise, now that Niamh was the one asking for a divorce–playing hard to get, trying to retreat in order to advance–Jonathan certainly wouldn’t make things easy for her either.
Marina was curious to see which of them would outlast t‘ other.
“Hey, when I saw that wedding photo of Mr. Thomas and Niamh online, I was shocked! I honestly thought you two tied the knot!”
One of the colleagues had drunk a little too much. Maybe it was the relaxed atmosphere, maybe it was seeing Jonathan in an apron, suddenly looking like the picture–perfect family man. Whatever the reason, he blurted out the question without thinking.
For a split second, the whole house went dead silent.
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Chapter 129
Everyone froze.
The awkwardness sobered the tipsy colleague almost instantly.
Jonathan said nothing. Marina was quiet, too.
All eyes
turned to Niamh, leaving her alone to shoulder the curiosity of the room.
After a moment, Niamh finally spoke:
“No… that photo isn’t real…”
Marina quietly let out a breath.
She’d known Niamh wouldn’t have the guts to admit the wedding photo was real.
Jonathan’s eyes lifted just a fraction.
Meeting his gaze, Niamh took a deep breath and lied with surprising conviction: “I’m single. But I do have a boyfriend.”
Her colleagues all murmured their agreement–couldn’t believe anything you read online these days.
“Then why not invite your boyfriend over to join the fun?”
Jonathan’s sudden suggestion made Niamh’s eyes go wide.
He smiled charmingly, lips curving as he looked straight at her. “What’s wrong–is there some reason he can’t make it?”
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