Marina pouted, lips pursed in irritation.
Of course she knew Susy wasn’t happy with her.
“Fine, then. I’ll take the lead this time. Got any bright ideas? As long as we can trample Niamh underfoot, I’m in.”
A sly, wicked grin twisted across Marina’s face.
1
Outside the hospital, Niamh found a cozy little diner, where she and Elmer sat down for a late–night bite.
Elmer hadn’t said much all evening, and that silence made it painfully obvious to Niamh that something was wrong.
“Elmer… Jonathan got hurt because of me. I’m just staying at the hospital to look after him for a few days, that’s all.”
She spoke softly, testing the waters as she watched Elmer’s expression.
“I know. I’m not mad at you,” he replied. His voice was gentle, but Niamh could hear
the chill in it no matter how he tried to hide it.
Truth was, Elmer was angry–just not at her.
He was angry at himself.
Why hadn’t he been there for Niamh when she was in danger and needed someone most? If he’d been around, he would have done exactly what Jonathan did–put himself in harm’s way for her.
But instead, that chance had fallen to Jonathan.
Elmer’s neat brows drew together, tense with frustration.
Sometimes he thanked God for letting him wake up, for bringing him back healthy to Niamh’s side. But sometimes, resentment crept in; he couldn’t help feeling it still wasn’t enough.
He was back by Niamh’s side now. She was divorced from Jonathan. So why couldn’t they just break free of the past once and for all?
“Nia, the guy who stabbed Jonathan has been caught. He confessed–said he hated Jonathan for laying him off… Jonathan wasn’t hurt because of you.”
1/3
08:05
“…I know.”
Niamh lowered her gaze.
Jonathan had told her the same thing.
But no matter what anyone else said, Niamh trusted her own judgment most. She’d lived through that terrifying moment herself. She’d seen it as clear as day: if Jonathan hadn’t stepped in, that knife would’ve plunged straight into her stomach.
They finished their meal in heavy silence.
When they left, Elmer didn’t say a word about not wanting her to stay at the hospital with Jonathan, but the cold air radiating from him said more than words ever
could.
It was the first time she and Elmer had parted on such unhappy terms.
Late at night, with the halls quiet and still, Niamh returned to Jonathan’s hospital
room.
She hadn’t told Elmer, but she hadn’t originally planned to stay by Jonathan’s side at all. It was Preston who’d told her that Jonathan had refused help from anyone else. Niamh immediately sensed what Jonathan was up to–he was forcing her hand.
Either she stayed, or she’d have to watch him recover alone, with no one by his side. If she told Elmer the truth, he’d see right through Jonathan’s little scheme and do everything in his power to stop her from staying.
Jonathan was awake when she entered, reading over some company documents.
“Finished dinner with your knight in shining armor?” he asked casually, not even bothering to look up.
“Yeah. I brought you some soup,” Niamh replied, holding up the takeout bag.
At that, Jonathan finally glanced up, his eyes meeting hers.
His gaze was deep as midnight, flecked with a strange light, like distant stars.
“You know I turned everyone else away just to force you to stay with me…”
“I know,” Niamh said with a nod, noticing the storm of conflicting emoti flickering in his eyes.
08:05
Chapter 418
“And you’re still willing to stay?”
