Chapter 115
Niamh wasn’t exactly a golf pro, but even she knew that a hole–in–one was about the most thrilling thing that could happen on the course.
What she never expected was that the one to pull off this rare feat would be Marina.
“Jonathan!” Marina squealed, waving her club in the air, practically bouncing with excitement–though she didn’t actually take a step toward him.
Jonathan, smiling, was the one who walked over to her.
Marina stood on the lush hillside in a pink–and–white collared polo shirt and matching golf skirt, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She looked fresh, sweet, and radiantly athletic–the picture of youthful energy. And now, with that incredible hole–in–one, she was suddenly the star of the entire club.
Owen and Fiona joined Jonathan in congratulating her.
“Jonathan, do you know this lovely lady?” Owen asked, curiosity piqued.
Jonathan nodded. “Yeah, this is Marina. We went to high school together. She works at The Thomas Group now, heads up the Design Division.”
“So young, and already a department head?” Owen sounded genuinely impressed.
“She’s not just young, she just hit a hole–in–one!” Fiona grinned, nudging Owen playfully.
“Outstanding! Truly impressive!” Owen gave Marina a double thumbs–up.
Marina blushed, ducking her head a little. “Oh, I’m really just an amateur. That one was pure luck, honestly.”
Owen and Fiona, charmed by her humility, launched into a fresh round of compliments.
Niamh watched all this from a distance, not bothering to join the group. Ever since Marina showed up, Jonathan’s attention had been glued to her. Every time someone praised Marina, Jonathan’s face lit up with pride.
Standing there, Niamh suddenly wondered if she could just leave and no one would even notice.
Dinner that evening was now a party of five, with Marina joining them.
She claimed she’d come alone because she was desperate to play golf but couldn’t
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find anyone to join her.
Niamh didn’t care whether anyone else bought that story–she certainly didn’t. In a city as big as Aldenville, with golf clubs on every corner, what were the odds that Marina would “just happen” to show up at the same club where she and Jonathan
were?
And then there was her spectacular hole–in–one, right in front of everyone.
Of course, Marina’s shot was real–Niamh couldn’t deny that. But still, something about it all just seemed a bit too convenient.
During dinner, the conversation revolved entirely around golf. Niamh had nothing to contribute, so she played the part of silent decoration at the table. Whenever Marina launched into some enthusiastic monologue, Niamh caught the unmistakable look of admiration in Jonathan’s eyes.
For a moment, she remembered how Jonathan had once described Marina: “Too exceptional.”
Too exceptional, he’d said, to be a suitable wife for the Thomas family.
And the reason Niamh was suitable? Because she wasn’t exceptional.
The meal left a strange, bitter taste in her mouth.
That night, they were all staying over at the club. No matter how badly Niamh played, she was still Jonathan’s wife, so they were naturally assigned the same
room.
She didn’t want to share it with him.
She was still planning to use two years of living apart as grounds for divorce, after all. And besides, being alone together in a room was just asking for trouble. It wasn’t as if Jonathan hadn’t crossed that line before.
Niamh showered, changed into her pajamas, and lay in bed, her mind wandering restlessly.
What if Jonathan came back later…?
But somewhere between anxious thoughts and the ticking of t off to sleep.
Jonathan never came back that night.
lock, she drifted
In the morning, Niamh found out that Jonathan had spent the entire night in Marina’s room–with Owen and Fiona too, apparently–playing bridge until dawn.
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Sitting in her chair, Niamh couldn’t help but laugh at herself for how self–in she’d been the night before.
Now Jonathan, Marina, Owen, and Fiona had all gone off to play another round of golf, leaving her behind.
Jonathan had made a token offer for her to join, but with Marina’s skill on full display, Niamh knew she’d only embarrass herself, so there was no point.
So today, she didn’t even bother changing–she skipped the golf attire and wore the muted gray suit Jonathan had given her instead.
