Niamh hadn’t expected to spend five days in the hospital.
The police had visited during that time, taking her statement and investigating the incident. Since the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center held only minors, and Niamh hadn’t suffered any physical harm, all Dylan and his friends got was an extended stay.
Through it all, Jonathan never showed up.
She wasn’t surprised–after all, when she’d miscarried before, Jonathan hadn’t bothered to visit her then, either.
Not only had he stayed away, he’d gone off on a fishing trip with Marina.
Niamh blew on her mug of warm water, took a sip, and grimaced at the bitter taste.
Prescott, however, had dutifully delivered Jonathan’s usual token of concern-
A bouquet of pink roses.
She’d received the same when she’d been hospitalized after her miscarriage. Back then, she hadn’t even had the heart to throw them away.
“Lana, can you do me a favor?”
“Of course.” Lana walked over.
“Could you toss these flowers in the trash for me?” Niamh hand without a second thought.
er the roses
“I was waiting for you to ask!” Lana scooped up the bouquet and headed straight for the hallway.
She knew Niamh was allergic to pollen–but she also knew that Niamh had once been hopelessly in love with Jonathan. If it came from him, she would’ve treasured anything, no matter what it was.
With the flowers gone, the room felt fresher, the air easier to breathe.
But the peace didn’t last.
Jonathan finally appeared-
And he brought Marina with him.
As they walked down the corridor, Marina caught sight of the pink roses stuffed in
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Chapter 27
the trash can. The wrapping and the flowers made it obvious who had sent them.
She stopped, looking genuinely disappointed. “What a waste to throw away such beautiful flowers!”
Only then did Jonathan notice the discarded bouquet.
Whenever he gave flowers to Marina, he always picked them out himself, down to the ribbon and the card. The ones for Niamh, though, he simply left to Prescott, trusting his assistant’s taste after years of working together. One glance at the trash and Jonathan immediately recognized his own handiwork–by way of
Prescott.
He said nothing, but something darkened in his eyes, the color deepening with an inky intensity.
He stepped ahead of Marina and entered the hospital room–only to find Julian sitting by Niamh’s bedside, expertly peeling an apple.
Julian’s hands were deft; he’d shaped the slices into little rabbit shapes. When he spotted Jonathan, he quickly speared a piece with a fork and held it out to Niamh.
In truth, before Jonathan arrived, Niamh had been eating the apple herself, not letting Julian feed her.
She opened her mouth and took a bite. The apple was crisp and sweet.
“So, your hand’s the one that’s injured?” Jonathan’s voice was icy.
Niamh shook her head. “No.”
“Then why aren’t you eating by yourself?”
His cold interrogation made the room feel several degrees colder.
Julian looked ready to snap back, but Niamh waved him off.
“Maybe I just want to be taken care of for once. Just like you always are.” She met Jonathan’s gaze, her eyes unflinching.
Jonathan was silent for a moment, then curved his lips in a faint, mocking smile.
Niamh had to admit, he really was handsome–especially when he wore that enigmatic half–smile, equal parts charm and mystery.
“Trying to remind me how dutiful and selfless you’ve been all these years?”
That hadn’t been her intention, but Niamh couldn’t be bothered to correct Jonathan’s assumptions.
Marina chose that moment to chime in. “Jonathan works so hard to provide for the family. As his wife, isn’t it your duty to take care of him without complaint?”
Niamh turned to Marina and flashed a toothy grin. “You understand him so well. Too bad he won’t even give you the chance to take care of him. That’s what’s really sad‘
Chapter 30
Chapte
