Jonathan’s opening left Niamh momentarily stunned.
She was still wearing the same outfit from earlier that day–a fact that only deepened her confusion. The last time they’d seen each other, things had ended on a decidedly sour note. She had no idea why Jonathan was suddenly inviting her out to dinner, let alone behaving like this.
“What do you want from me?” Niamh asked bluntly.
“No rush,” Jonathan replied, handing her the menu. “Let’s eat first. We can talk over dinner.”
The prices on the menu made Niamh pause, but she quickly reminded herself that Jonathan could afford it a thousand times over. So, without hesitation, she
selected the most expensive dishes.
Jonathan just smiled, an amused glint in his eyes. “You’ve changed…”
Niamh raised her eyebrows. “Changed as in–not bothering to save you money anymore?”
He shook his head. “I don’t need to save money,” he said quietly.
His calm tone only made his confidence more apparent.
“You’ve become more… captivating.”
The unexpected compliment caught Niamh off guard, leaving her at a rare loss for words.
Course after course arrived at the table, each dish as beautiful as it was delicious. The food was almost too lovely to eat, but tasted even better than it looked. Niamh ate in silence, her mind a tangled mess.
Jonathan’s behavior tonight was so out of character, she couldn’t begi O guess what he was after.
She was busy cracking open a king crab leg when Jonathan spoke again.
“We don’t have to get a divorce.”
The words startled her so much she jerked, and the crab shell sliced her finger, drawing blood.
Jonathan immediately stood and moved to her side, taking her hand in his. He pressed gently near the cut, coaxing the blood out.
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“It’s alright. The cut’s not deep,” he assured her.
Niamh tried to pull her hand away, but before she could, Jonathan brought her injured finger to his lips and held it in his mouth.
She stared at him in shock, her face burning as she watched him lick her finger.
She snatched her hand back, cheeks flushed. “W–what do you think you’re doing?”
“Disinfecting it,” Jonathan answered matter–of–factly.
Niamh knew, of course, that saliva could help clean a wound, but that didn’t mean Jonathan needed to do it for her. Her thoughts were spiraling in all directions.
Jonathan was acting so strangely tonight–especially after just announcing that they didn’t have to divorce.
“I remember you telling me once,” Jonathan said as he returned to his seat, his voice calm and measured, “that you needed to leave me… because I didn’t love you.”
Niamh’s nerves were a stark contrast to his composure; she felt like her heart was pounding in her throat.
“Well, I’ve decided I love you now. So there’s no need for a divorce.”
He said it so casually–as if declaring the weather.
Niamh stared at him, completely blindsided, unable to process what he’d just said.
Jonathan didn’t elaborate. He simply picked up his knife and fork, eating with practiced elegance.
The silence between them grew heavy until Niamh finally spoke.
“Let me guess… Your father told you not to divorce me, right?”
Jonathan looked up at her, surprise flickering in his eyes.
She’d only been speculating, but it made sense; ever since the news broke about her being Jonathan’s wife, the Thomas Group’s stock had skyrocketed. And then there was his behavior tonight…/
“So all that concern you just showed me–it was just for show, wasn’t it…”
“No,” Jonathan said, shaking his head. “It’s a transaction.”
Niamh felt a chill run through her.
“You’re valuable to the Thomas Group right now. As long as you remain my wife
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you’ll have my love.”
His voice was so calm it sounded almost cold.
He watched as Niamh’s expression darkened, then gave her a small, almost teasing smile.
“My love–isn’t that what you’ve always dreamed of? Now that I’m finally willing to give it, aren’t you happy?”
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