The conference hall was dimly lit, but Jonathan could still see the glimmer of tears
in Marina’s eyes.
“…Alright.”
He stood up from his seat.
Marina rose as well, following his lead.
They left the hall one after the other. There was nothing overtly intimate between them, but to an outsider, their closeness was unmistakable.
A staff member led Jonathan and Marina to a private meeting room.
The room was nearly empty–just the two of them, alone.
“Jonathan, did you know Niamh hurt her hand?”
“I did.”
Jonathan’s brow furrowed slightly.
“I heard it from people at the Solmaris Museum.”
“Solmaris Museum?” he echoed, sounding surprised.
Marina let out a sigh, pretending to be helpless. “It’s a job Niamh took on for them–a project restoring antique jewelry. But now that she’s injured, the museum asked me to take over. Niamh refused. So, to force her hand, they arranged a live restoration challenge–just the two of us. Whoever does a better job gets the contract…”
She looked down, as if genuinely troubled.
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“Jonathan, could you talk to Niamh for me? Try to convince her to step aside?”
Jonathan arched an eyebrow.
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“I just don’t want her to embarrass herself in front of all those industry people. I heard her hand is seriously hurt–why put herself through that, just to end up humiliated? It’d be better for her to withdraw early. She won’t listen to me, I know that. But you’re different–you’re her ex–husband. Maybe she’d actually take your advice…”
Marina’s words sounded sincere, almost pleading.
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She’d considered the possibility that Niamh might give up the job. If that happened, she’d simply tell everyone Niamh was too timid to face her head–on. But honestly, it would be much more satisfying to see Niamh lose in front of the entire field. That’s why she made sure the museum let Niamh know who her competitor would be.
Sure enough, Niamh had agreed to the head–to–head restoration.
Marina could tell–no matter how badly Niamh’s hand was hurt, she’d rather grit her teeth and push through than let Marina take this from her.
So Marina wanted Jonathan to talk Niamh into giving up. It would make her look generous in his eyes, and if Niamh found out, she’d only be more convinced Jonathan was taking Marina’s side.
“Is this what you wanted to talk about?”
Jonathan’s voice cut through Marina’s scheming thoughts.
“…Yes.”
She nodded.
“Then let’s go.”
His tone was flat, his expression cool and distant.
That was Jonathan’s usual demeanor.
But it hadn’t always been how he treated Marina.
Just as he was about to leave, Jonathan heard the sound of muffled sobs behind him.
He stopped and turned. Marina stood there, tears slipping down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked up, hastily wiping her tears away, caught off guard that he’d noticed.
“It’s nothing… really…”
Her voice was hoarse, her face the picture of fragile sorrow.
“It’s just… I don’t understand…”
Jonathan frowned. “You don’t understand what?”
“I don’t understand.., why you’ve suddenly become so cold to me.”
Her words rang in Jonathan’s mind like a bell.
“I haven’t…” he lied.
“You’re lying!” Marina burst out, her eyes brimming with fresh tears.
“You have. You told me–after you divorced Niamh, you’d finally give us a real chance. You are divorced now, aren’t you? So why are you treating me like this?”
