Chapter 285
Jonathan’s expression barely changed, but his ink–black eyes grew even darker.
“Isn’t Marina the one you’re in love with?”
Michael set down his glass and adjusted his gold–rimmed glasses, not rushing to
answer.
He poured himself another drink, adding more ice cubes this time.
It was already winter. With no heat on in the apartment, drinking vodka on the rocks was a surefire way to wreck your stomach.
At least, Jonathan–whose stomach was notoriously sensitive–would never do something like that.
Michael sipped his icy vodka, speaking in a slow, almost lazy drawl.
“I used to be into Marina…
A memory flickered in Michael’s mind: Marina in high school, dressed in soft pastels, all sweetness and innocence.
Back then, his own moods were wild and unpredictable, swinging from rage to restlessness with no warning. But somehow, just seeing Marina had always calmed him down.
“But not anymore.”
Behind the glint of his glasses, Michael’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
Jonathan just smirked, unfazed.
“Sounds to me like you’re just fickle–chasing after every pretty face you see.”
Michael’s expression soured at that.
“I never dated more than one person at a time, never cheated, so how does that make me fickle? And as for being shallow…”
He nudged his glasses up a crooked smile playing at his lips.
“Niamh is gorgeous. I’m a red–blooded man, aren’t I allowed to notice?”
Despite his words, Michael didn’t really believe he was that superficial. Not at first,
at least–when he’d just met Niamh, he hadn’t felt anything like that.
So when had it started? Maybe it was the day she’d flipped him right over her
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shoulder…
The memory made Michael chuckle again.
Jonathan watched him, noting the faint, faraway look on Michael’s face. It made something in Jonathan’s eyes go cold.
Snapping back to the present, Michael realized Jonathan was glaring.
“Oh, come on. Niamh practically throws herself at you and you still keep your distance. If you’re having… performance issues, I can recommend a good doctor.”
Michael’s barb was deliberate, and Jonathan shot him a cold, humorless smile.
“If you’re so curious about my performance, just ask Niamh. We’ve been married for over three years.”
It wasn’t that he avoided Niamh.
He just refused to let himself lose control–he’d never allow himself to give in to desire when he wasn’t fully himself.
The thought of being at the mercy of medication, of losing his mind, was unbearable.
Silence settled over the living room, the tension nearly tangible.
After a moment, Michael swirled the ice in his glass. The cubes clinked together with a cheerful little sound, oddly out of place.
“I always figured you loved Marina so much you’d stay loyal to her forever. Still, I get it–we’re all men, after all…”
“Don’t lump me in with you.”
Jonathan’s tone was flat, cutting.
“Are we so different? Honestly, I think I come out ahead. At least I never went on and on about loving Marina, then married Niamh, slept with her for three years, and now want to get back together with Marina.”
“When did I ever say I was getting back with Marina?”
Jonathan’s offhand reply made Michael arch an eyebrow.
“Oh? Then what exactly are you and Marina these days?”
Jonathan fell silent.
He’d already said more to Michael tonight than he’d intended.
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Chapter 285
“I’m just keeping a promise I made a long time ago,” Jonathan murmured, almost as if reminding himself.
Michael let out a disbelieving laugh.
“What a load of crap. You’re a married man playing the martyr–don’t tell me you’ve never felt anything for Niamh…”
“Never.”
This time, Jonathan’s answer was swift and absolute.
Michael studied his stony face, searching for any sign of doubt, but found none.
“Well, that works out for me. I like Niamh–just stay out of my way.”
Jonathan strode over to the bar, ignored the bandaged hand he’d injured earlier, and poured himself a drink, tossing it back in one go.
“I won’t get in your way. Niamh and I are getting divorced anyway. You don’t need my permission–pick something else to complain about.”
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