“You’ve got some nerve, Jonathan. Look at Nia–she’s lost weight. You must have been giving her a hard time at work.” Clifford spoke up on Niamh’s behalf, his tone half–joking, half–accusing.
Jonathan managed a rueful smile. “Grandpa, it’s really not like that.”
He set a bowl of nourishing chicken soup in front of Niamh.
Niamh murmured a quiet thank you.
It was only here, in the old family home, that she ever got to taste soup Jonathan had personally served her.
“Let the young couple sort things out themselves. Old man, stop meddling,” Clifford’s army buddy interjected with a chuckle.
“Exactly. See how attentive Jonathan is to his wife?”
“I’ve said it before–Jonathan and Nia are a perfect match. When they got married, I told everyone you could see they were made for each other.”
Niamh felt a blush creep up her cheeks at their praise.
A faint, charming smile played at Jonathan’s lips as well.
From the outside, no one would ever guess that the pair were actually in the middle
of a divorce and had already been living apart for some time.
Around the table, someone turned to Jonathan. “So, who’s Marina?”
Jonathan replied smoothly, “She’s a friend from high school.”
Ever since Marina returned to the country, that was always his answer whenever
anyone asked about her.
Technically, it was true–they’d broken up after graduation.
Normally, Marina wouldn’t have minded being introduced as just a high school friend. But sitting next to Niamh, the legal wife, she couldn’t help but feel like a complete outsider.
“Marina, you haven’t touched your food. Is it not to your taste?” Marigold asked with
concern.
Marina mustered a strained smile. “No, it’s not that. I’m just a little anxious–wondering if Grandpa will like the gift I got him.”
21:08
At her words, Marigold Immediately called for Hazel to bring over Marines presen and opened it right at the table.
Marina had chosen a birthday gift for Clifford–a stunning ornament carved from the finest ivory–white jade, masterfully crafted and clearly worth a small fortune.
“Marina, this is extravagant! This piece must be worth at least a few hundred thousand!” Marigold exclaimed in awe.
“And the craftsmanship is Incredible–this has to be the work of a real master, Sprague chimed in, thoroughly impressed.
With all eyes on her again, Marina tossed her hair with deliberate poise.
“I commissioned a renowned sculptor back home to work on it for three months. I designed it myself, I just hope Grandpa likes it.”
Clifford’s friends immediately began praising Marina’s thoughtfulness.
“So, Niamh, what did you get for Grandpa’s birthday?” someone asked with interest. The question made Niamh realize that Marina’s elaborate gift wasn’t just about impressing Clifford–it was also meant to set up a pointed comparison.
“Nia’s family. She doesn’t need to make such a fuss,” Clifford said, making it clear he still saw Marina as an outsider.
“But Jonathan brought a present too, didn’t he? Is Niamh somehow more family than Jonathan?” Lucy piped up from across the table.
Jonathan had, in fact, given Clifford á birthday gift–a Richard Mille watch worth over three million dollars.
Before Clifford could respond to Lucy, the doorbell rang through the house.
Hazel went to answer it. A moment later, she returned, carrying a large box in her
arms.
“Sir, it’s a delivery. They said it’s for the young lady.”
By “young lady,” Hazel meant Niamh.
Niamh hurried to take the box and brought it over to Clifford.
“Grandpa, happy birthday. This is for you,” she said, her tone formal and sincere. Clifford was caught off guard–Niamh had never given him a gift before.
In previous years, since she and Jonathan were family, he always assumed any
21.08
present from Jonathan included her goodwill by default.
