Chapter 268
“You really should go to the hospital.”
“The doctors probably wouldn’t do as good a job as you.”
Jonathan’s tone was calm, almost dismissive.
Niamh gave a disbelieving laugh. “Come on, that can’t be true…”
Once she finished bandaging his wound, she stood up. Jonathan remained seated on the couch, and a strange, palpable awkwardness settled between them.
Unable to help herself, Niamh let her gaze wander around Jonathan’s suite. For such a spacious room, there wasn’t much luggage–just enough for one person.
“Marina doesn’t stay with me,” Jonathan said suddenly.
Niamh’s heart skipped. Had she been that obvious?
Seeing the flicker in her eyes, Jonathan gave a faint, careless smile. “Niamh, after the divorce, will you miss me?”
It felt like someone had reached right in and squeezed her heart.
“…No.”
“You hesitated.”
His offhand comment was enough to set her off.
She spun to face him, her voice sharp and unwavering. “Jonathan, if you love Marina, then love her and stop dragging me back into this. If I really wanted to hold onto you, I wouldn’t be rushing through this divorce. Once it’s over, I’ll finally be free, and honestly, I can’t wait to put as much distance between us as possible!”
Jonathan hadn’t expected her outburst. He simply replied, “Alright.”
The penthouse fell utterly silent.
Niamh took a deep breath. She didn’t even know what she was angry about. Maybe it was because Jonathan always seemed so composed and unbothered, while she was the one left floundering and exposed.
All because Jonathan had been her first love–someone she had once adored–while to him, she was just another face, never someone he cared for, never someone he remembered.
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Chapter 268
She had always been destined to lose in this relationship.
“You really ought to get yourself checked out. I’m leaving.”
Niamh tried to sound cold as she started for the door.
“Wait.”
Jonathan stood, his voice still even. “It’s already dark. Let me drive you back.”
Niamh glanced at his arm, now tightly swathed in bandages. He’d gotten hurt because of her.
She couldn’t understand how Elaine had dared to attack her in public–and she understood even less why Jonathan had stepped in to shield her.
“You should rest and take care of your injury. I’ll just call a cab. Solterra isn’t exactly dangerous.”
“At least let my
“…Fine.”
driver take
you.
Deal?”
As soon as Niamh left the suite, Jonathan’s phone rang. It was Marina.
“Jonathan, where are you right now? Are you at the hospital?”
Her voice was anxious.
“No, I’m still at the hotel,” he answered, then added, “Where are you? I didn’t see you at the gala earlier.”
“A reporter wanted an interview, so I stepped out. I only heard what happened to
later. I’m in a cab now–should be at the hotel soon.”
you
“Alright. Take care coming back.”
After hanging up, Marina exhaled in relief. It seemed Jonathan hadn’t realized she was behind the acid attack.
It was only after leaving the ballroom that she realized how suspicious her behavior would look to Jonathan. He was the one hurt tonight, and as his date, she should’ve been the first by his side. But she ran–because her conscience wasn’t clear.
By the time she’d gathered herself and returned, both Jonathan and Niamh had already vanished.
The city lights of Solterra sparkled against the night sky.
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The driver responsibly waited until Niamh was inside the hotel before driving away.
But Niamh didn’t go straight to her room. The moment she stepped inside the lobby, someone she never expected was waiting for her–blocking her path.
Chapter 269
Chapter 269
