Chapter 242
Both groups finished their meals at almost the exact same moment and ran into each other just outside the restaurant’s doors.
“Preston Winslow, Niamh…” Marina was the first to speak, her smile bright and
eager.
“Jonathan and I were about to go shopping. Why don’t you two join us? A little walk is the perfect way to work off lunch.”
The invitation sounded harmless enough, but Niamh had no interest in spending more time with Marina and Jonathan.
“I’ll pass,” she replied, shaking her head.
“Oh, come on! My parents and Jonathan’s parents have finished their business talk, so they won’t be tagging along. It’s not often we run into each other like this–shopping together could be a nice way to get to know each other better…” Marina’s tone was warm, almost pleading.
But her real motive was obvious: she wanted Niamh to witness Jonathan’s
extravagant generosity firsthand. And she was just waiting for the right moment to drop the news that Jonathan now referred to Niamh as his “ex–wife.”
When Niamh ignored her and turned to leave, Marina suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Niamh immediately shook her off. She didn’t use much force, but Marina had gripped her tightly–and then, taking advantage of the moment, she feigned a stumble, landing directly in Jonathan’s arms.
Jonathan caught her without missing a beat.
Meanwhile, Preston Winslow noticed the red mark on Niamh’s wrist. Without thinking, he gently took her hand in his, concern etched on his face.
Niamh froze in surprise, missing the way Jonathan’s expression darkened.
“Are you alright?” Preston asked softly.
“I’m fine,” Niamh replied, quietly pulling her hand back.
“Marina, isn’t that a bit much? Niamh’s wrist is all red,” Preston said, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
Marina hadn’t expected Preston to call her out in front of everyone. Tears welled up
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in her eyes instantly. “I didn’t-” she started, her voice trembling.
Preston’s resolve faltered; ever since high school, he’d had a weakness for Marina’s
tears.
Niamh, on the other hand, just wanted to get away from this mess. Every encounter with Jonathan and Marina left her with a pounding headache.
She’d barely taken a step when two more people approached from the opposite direction, making her pause again.
Julian Neville hadn’t expected to run into Niamh here. The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up like twin lanterns.
At his side, Susy Fraser clung to his arm. In all the time they’d been together, she’d never seen Julian’s eyes shine like that.
“What a small world,” Susy remarked coolly.
Even as she spoke, Julian’s gaze was fixed solely on Niamh, as if no one else existed.
Niamh found her own eyes drawn to Julian’s face. He was dressed in a crisp white wool coat over a tailored black suit, the contrast making him look even more
striking.
Gone was the awkward, fresh–faced college student she’d met during her internship at the juvenile rehab center. In less than a year, Julian had changed so much.
Niamh’s heart swelled with bittersweet memories.
Lana had once told her that after her car accident, Julian was the first person to rush to the hospital. Although he’d left soon after, it was probably not by choice. Niamh had always wanted to thank him properly.
But she couldn’t reach out to Julian. She’d deleted and blocked him on WhatsApp, erased his number from her phone. Even if she still remembered it by heart, she’d promised Julian’s mother she wouldn’t contact him again–and she intended to keep her word.
Still, fate had given her this unexpected chance to see him.
“Julian, thanks for visiting me while I was in the hospital,” Niamh said politely, her tone distant.
Julian’s brow furrowed at her formality.
She was only thanking him out of courtesy. She didn’t want him to read too much
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into it.
“Niamh, 1-” Julian stepped forward, but before he could finish, a tall figure suddenly appeared behind Niamh.
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