Terence pursed his lips, clearly annoyed.
He thought Jonathan was unbelievably full of himself.
Maybe it was because he’d already quit, or maybe he’d just held it in for too long. but this time, Terence let the words tumble out.
“Mr. Thomas, if you really don’t want a divorce, you should just tell her directly Women respond to a bit of reassurance, you know. You’ve got so much going for you–she’d be crazy to let you go.”
The moment Jonathan looked up, eyes cold and sharp as knives, Terence bolted
from the office.
Jonathan called Prescott in.
“Mr. Thomas, you wanted to see me?”
Prescott stood respectfully at Jonathan’s desk, hands folded.
“Yes.” Jonathan nodded, barely glancing up. “Terence has resigned. Have HR take care of his paperwork.”
“Of course, Mr. Thomas.”
Jonathan paused, then asked, “Do you think Niamh would really want to lose me?”
Prescott blinked, caught completely off guard.
Was there any connection at all between the last instruction and this bizarre new
question?
He fumbled for words, struggling to find a safe answer as Jonathan’s expression grew steadily darker.
It dawned on Prescott that Jonathan wanted him to say, “Yes, absolutely.”
He hesitated, torn between honesty and trying to please his boss. He opened his mouth, ready to say what he thought Jonathan wanted to hear.
“Just go.”
Jonathan cut him off before he could get a word out.
Today was the winter solstice.
Niamh had spent the afternoon baking savory pies, packing one up for Clifford
20:19
Chapter ZOO
Thomas and dropping by to chat with him for a while before heading out.
Next, she drove to Harmony Senior Residence to bring a pie to Gemma.
As always, Gemma’s first and last questions were all about Jonathan.
Niamh remembered that years ago, Gemma had genuinely liked Jonathan as a son–in–law, but back then, she always cared more about her own daughter.
Recently, though, every time Gemma was lucid, Jonathan was the first person she
asked about.
At first, Niamh found it a little hard to swallow–she couldn’t understand why Gemma seemed more invested in Jonathan than her.
But slowly, she realized that maybe Gemma sensed something was wrong–maybe she’d guessed, somehow, that she and Jonathan were heading for a divorce.
Maybe, deep down, Gemma was just afraid–afraid that she and Jonathan might really split up, so she clung to every scrap of news about him.
That was why Niamh still hadn’t had the heart to tell her mother that the divorce was almost finalized.
“Mom, slow down. Don’t choke,” Niamh said, half–laughing, half–exasperated, as Gemma devoured the pie.
The food at the senior residence was excellent–healthy and delicious. Niamh had eaten here before and knew it was far better than anything she could make herself. Still, she could tell that Gemma preferred her cooking.
Gemma was halfway through her pie when someone knocked on the door.
Niamh assumed it was one of the caregivers, but instead, Jonathan walked in.
“Jonathan! You’re here!” Gemma’s face lit up with delight. “Nia was just saying how busy you’ve been lately!”
Niamh watched Jonathan, surprised to see him. He hadn’t brought anything with him, and didn’t look like he’d come specifically to visit Gemma.
Gemma called him over and insisted he share the meal. Jonathan didn’t hesitate to join in.
Niamh thought to herself, thankful she’d made plenty–otherwise, there wouldn’t have been enough.
20:19 2
Chapter 256
After they finished eating, Gemma settled down for a nap, and Niamh and Jonathan stepped out into the hallway together.
“So, what brings you here today?” Niamh asked quietly as they walked side by side.
Jonathan was silent for a moment.
In the hush of the corridor, their footsteps echoed softly. After a pause, Jonathan’s voice was low and clear.
“I was craving your pie.”
