Niamh’s steps felt heavier than lead as she crossed the threshold. Suddenly, she wondered if she’d been reckless to come at all–maybe things would be better if she simply disappeared.
She turned to leave, but Jonathan seized her wrist, his grip harsh and unyielding.
“Jonathan, you’re hurting me…” she managed, wincing as her face twisted in pain.
Only then did Jonathan loosen his hold a little. “So you know what pain feels like, Niamh? My mother’s in the hospital because of you-”
“I’m sorry.” The apology slipped out before she could stop herself.
Niamh truly hadn’t imagined things would turn out like this.
Jonathan’s glare was razor–sharp, his eyes boring into her as if he might tear her apart with sheer force of will. “If anything happens to my mother, I’ll make sure you pay for it.”
He didn’t raise his voice, but the threat landed on her chest like a weight, making it
hard to breathe.
“Jonathan!” A breathless voice called out.
Marina rushed in, clearly in a hurry. Her makeup was lighter than usual, her hair slightly mussed. Instead of slinging her designer bag over her shoulder, she clutched it in her hand, the strap swinging as she hurried across the room.
Jonathan instantly let go of Niamh. The hand that had just imprisoned Niamh’s wrist was now wrapped firmly in Marina’s.
“Jonathan, how’s Marigold? The moment I heard she’d fainted, I took the first chance I got and came straight here.”
“She’s alright. The doctor said it was just a bit of stress–she needs a few days‘ rest, that’s all. Don’t worry.” Jonathan gave Marina’s shoulder a reassuring pat.
Niamh watched from the sidelines, silent, seeing how Jonathan was a different man with Marina–his tone, his face, everything changed. Quietly, she turned away.
“Who said you could leave?” Jonathan’s voice, low and cold, stopped her in her tracks.
She looked back, their gazes meeting–both eyes full of disappointment.
“You just said I upset your mother so much she ended up in the hospital, and that if
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anything happened, I’d pay for it. If I stay, aren’t you worried I’ll make things worse?” “She’s your mother too.”
The words caught Niamh off guard.
“Niamh, did you really upset Marigold so much she fainted?” Marina gasped. “You should be more careful–she’s your mother–in–law after all. As her daughter–in–law, you ought to be considerate. Don’t be so selfish…”
“I don’t need a lecture from you.” Niamh shot Marina a glare. Marina’s eyes instantly filled with tears.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have said anything. I just hoped you two could make up…” Marina’s voice trembled as she pressed herself into Jonathan’s arms. He wrapped an arm around her and, still glaring at Niamh, spat out, “You’ve managed to make my mother faint and now you’re making Marina cry. I never realized you were so talented, Niamh.“
Niamh opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came.
What could she say? In Jonathan’s eyes, everything was her fault; every mess was hers to own.
Soon enough, the rest of the Thomas clan began to arrive–uncles, aunts, cousins, the whole extended family. Marina ordered delivery, and soon the hospital room was overflowing with fresh fruit and pastries. The family couldn’t stop singing Marina’s praises.
Niamh stood on the sidelines, invisible, unneeded–an outsider in her own life.
But when it came time to decide who would stay at the hospital for the night, suddenly everyone remembered her.
“I know Jonathan’s a good son, but really, it’s a daughter–in–law’s job to take care of her mother–in–law at a time like this.”
“Exactly, what’s the point of having a daughter–in–law if she can’t step up when it counts?”
“Marigold is sick because of her–she should be the one to take care of her, it’s only right.”
The room buzzed with chatter as Marigold lay in bed, quietly eating apple slices that Marina offered her. She didn’t say a word–her silence said enough.
“Marigold, maybe…I should stay and look after you tonight,” Marina offered gently.
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Chapter 51
Tears welled up in Marigold’s eyes at Marina’s words. “See how thoughtful Marina is–so caring, so considerate… Some people could stand to learn a thing or two.”
Even with Niamh all but invisible, Marigold’s scornful glance found her. There was no escaping it.
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