Niamh’s eyes flickered upward at the sight of her name and Julian’s, embossed in silver on the invitation.
Julian was really getting married…
“Congratulations,” she said, taking the invitation without a trace of emotion.
She couldn’t say for sure if this marriage would bring Julian happiness, but people in wealthy families rarely had a choice. Maybe, for Julian, Susy really was the best option. She was certainly a better fit than Niamh could ever be.
“The wedding’s set for three months from now. You have to promise you’ll come!” Susy reminded her with a bright smile.
“Don’t worry–I’ll be there,” Niamh replied.
Susy stood up, smoothing her skirt. “Well, I should let you get some rest. Take care of yourself, okay?”
After Susy left, Lana slipped back into the hospital room, having stood guard outside during the visit.
“Nia, what did Ms. Fraser want with you?” Lana asked, glancing suspiciously at the tightly closed door. “I don’t trust her one bit.”
Niamh shrugged. “Nothing much. She just gave me a wedding invitation.”
“A wedding invitation?!” Lana’s eyes widened. “Who’s getting married?”
“Julian and Susy, of course.”
“Are you kidding me?” Lana’s outburst made Niamh crack a wry smile.
The next day, another visitor showed up at Niamh’s hospital room–one who barely escaped being chased down the hall by Lana wielding a broom. Prescott managed to intervene just in time.
When Niamh saw Marina arrive on Prescott’s arm, she knew at once Jonathan must have put her up to it.
“How are you feeling, Niamh? Is your recovery going well?” Marina’s tone was all concern, sweet as honey, but it made Niamh’s skin crawl.
The room grew uncomfortably quiet. When Niamh didn’t answer, Marina didn’t seem the least bit bothered. Instead, she offered a gentle, almost pitying smile.
1/2
17:23
Chapter 24
“You have no idea, the day you had your accident, I was actually in the car with Jonathan. When we heard you’d been taken to the ICU, I was terrified and wanted to rush to the hospital with him. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Jonathan. But then…” Her voice trailed off as she lowered her eyes, voice softening for effect. “Jonathan said he didn’t want to go to the hospital yet. He insisted on finishing his business first…”
Niamh’s fingers unconsciously clenched the bedsheet. Marina’s story matched what Lana had told her. Apparently, from the moment she’d been rushed to the ICU, through surgery and all her hospital recovery, Jonathan hadn’t come to see her–not even once.
“I know you two are getting divorced, but even so, Jonathan really shouldn’t have acted like this. I’m sorry for him. I actually wanted to come visit you with him, but he’s been busy with business deals with my parents, spending all his time with
them. So, I had no choice but to come with Prescott.”
As Marina spoke, she shot Prescott a meaningful look, and he quickly presented Niamh with a bouquet.
“These are for you,” he said awkwardly, holding out a large bunch of pink roses. “I wasn’t sure what flowers you liked–pink roses are my favorite, and Jonathan always gives them to me. I hope you don’t mind.”
As Prescott stepped forward, Niamh couldn’t help but sneeze.
“Sorry, Prescott, I’m allergic to pollen,” she explained.
Prescott froze, bouquet still in his hands.
Marina let out a dramatic sigh. “See? You really don’t like my gift after all.”
Niamh didn’t bother to explain. If Marina wanted to believe that, she could suit
herself.
In the end, Prescott left with the same bouquet he’d brought in.
Outside the hospital, Marina called Jonathan.
“Jonathan, I went to visit Niamh and even brought her a gift, but she refused to accept it–she made up some excuse. Isn’t that right, Prescott?” She held her phone out for him to confirm.
