Chapter 146
“A perfect match–made for each other, really. He’s charming, she’s beautiful, what more could you ask for?”
Niamh stood by, silently enduring the idle gossip. Not even her carefully applied makeup could mask the pallor of her face.
In love, she had lost to Marina.
In her career, too.
A wave of self–loathing washed over her, sharp and bitter.
Now Julian was leading his fiancée onto the dance floor. Though they’d exchanged the expected pleasantries, Niamh could feel the distance he put between them. She couldn’t blame him. After all, she was the one who had cut him off so completely.
In his eyes, she was just a gold–digger who’d sacrificed a friendship for five million dollars.
“Niamh, would you like to dance?”
Peter’s offer was gentle, but when he saw the wounded look on her face, regret flickered across his features. He realized he’d put his foot in it.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
Niamh shook her head.
She understood why Peter had brought her here–it was to introduce her to new people, to help her find her footing in this crowd.
“I’d like a moment alone, if you don’t mind. Go ahead, enjoy the party.”
“Alright…”
Peter was clearly worried, but he didn’t want to press her further.
Niamh slipped away to the balcony, letting the cool night air clear her head. She needed a moment to regain her composure.
“Devon chose Marina’s design in the end. I assume you’ve already heard.”
A subtle hint of men’s cologne drifted over, and with it, a voice she knew all too well.
Jonathan appeared at her side, a glass of tequila on the rocks in his hand.
Niamh ignored him.
Jonathan never loved her. He only ever had eyes for Marina.
Her decade–long infatuation suddenly felt like a cruel joke.
Their marriage was over now. She’d come to terms with that.
Feelings couldn’t be forced.
But losing to Marina again–this time in her work–was a blow she couldn’t ignore.
She had to admit: it hurt.
“Did you come out here just to gloat?” Niamh’s voice was icy.
“I warned you ages ago. You’re not on Marina’s level. Why humiliate yourself?”
Jonathan’s tone was as indifferent as ever, his words cold and devoid of emotion.
Niamh turned, eyes fixed on the sharp planes of his face. In the lamplight, he looked almost unreal–like a sculpture chiseled to perfection. It was enough to make anyone jealous of fate’s unfairness.
“So… I should just shut down my company, go home, and keep playing housekeeper for you?”
He shot her a sideways glance, catching the anger and stubbornness in her expression.
He didn’t respond.
That silence was answer enough.
Niamh clenched her teeth in frustration.
“If you love Marina so much, Jonathan, why don’t you just marry her?”
She tried to keep her voice steady, emotionless.
Jonathan let out a low, humorless laugh. His gaze was tinged with impatience, as if her question was utterly pointless.
“I already told you, didn’t I? I won’t ask Marina to give up her career for me.”
“Right. You won’t ask Marina to play housekeeper, but I guess there are plenty of others around. It doesn’t have to be me, does it?”
The bitterness in her words only made his cold smile deepen.
Suddenly, Jonathan stepped closer, looming over her. His shadow fell across her,
Chapter 146
his tall, broad–shouldered frame making her feel small and boxed in.
Niamh froze.
Warm breath brushed her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Instinctively, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Then his deep, magnetic voice slid into her ear.
“There are plenty of housekeepers, but not all of them love me the way you do.”
