Jonathan narrowed his eyes, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
“So, the Neville family’s golden boy is waiting outside, isn’t he?”
Without warning, Jonathan scooped Niamh up and tossed her onto the bed.
“You claim to love me, yet you string along that innocent boy. Why not let me end his little fantasy?”
His powerful frame pinned her down. Terror flooded Niamh’s face, leaving her ashen as she stared up at him.
“How about we let him hear us together?” Jonathan’s tone was chillingly casual. “Let’s see if that will finally crush his hopes.”
Out in the hallway, Julian paced anxiously. He stopped short at the abrupt crash of something shattering from inside.
“Niamh! Niamh, are you alright?”
He pounded on the door, panic rising when there was no answer. Fumbling for his phone, he was about to call the police when the door swung open.
Jonathan stood in the doorway, bare–chested, a towel slung low around his waist. Blood trickled from a split on his lip.
“Julian’s face twisted with rage at the sight.
“What the hell did you do to Niamh?”
Jonathan just smirked, utterly unfazed.
“I’m her husband. What I do with my wife is none of your business.”
Before Niamh could intervene–having barely thrown her clothes back
on–Jonathan and Julian were already trading blows. She tried in vain to break up the fight, but when it was clear she couldn’t, she had no choice but to call the police.
All three of them ended up at the station.
Julian had clearly come off worst in the scuffle, but since he’d thrown the first punch, the blame was pinned on him.
1/3
14:15
“Jonathan, this was my fault. Please don’t press charges against Julian, okay?” Niamh pleaded quietly.
Jonathan shot her a cold, mocking smile.
“No.”
“Don’t beg him, Niamh. I’m fine,” Julian spat, voice tight with fury. “My only regret is that I didn’t beat him to a pulp.”
But Niamh couldn’t just stand by and watch Julian’s life get ruined because of her,
“If I stop asking for a divorce… if I move back into Jade Peak House, will you let Julian off the hook?” Her words hung in the air, the entire station falling silent.
Julian stared at her in disbelief. He knew she’d been preparing to file for divorce after two years of separation–if she caved now, it would all be for nothing.
He opened his mouth to protest, but Jonathan cut him off:
“You really think you’re that important?”
Jonathan’s voice was calm, but his words hit Niamh like a slap. She looked up at
him, his dark eyes cold enough to freeze her in place.
“You think I’m afraid of divorce? Don’t flatter yourself–don’t think you can use that to bargain with me.”
Niamh’s shoulders slumped. She stared at the floor, humiliated.
Just then, both the Thomas and Neville families arrived, along with Marina, and the station quickly filled with people.
Marigold was the most hysterical of the lot–first fussing over Jonathan’s injuries, then turning on Niamh, blaming her for bringing nothing but trouble.
Sprague and Zack Neville stood off to the side, chatting amiably, seemingly unconcerned by the chaos.
Marina hovered at Jonathan’s side, tears streaming down her cheeks as though she were the one who’d been beaten.
Niamh slipped quietly out of the station with Julian’s mother. It was the first time they’d met a dignified, graceful woman.
“I’m so sorry… This is all my fault,” Niamh apologized softly.
Cassidy shook her head, her expression gentle.
74.1E
“This isn’t on you. Julian was reckless.”
Niamh was surprised by the kindness. They walked together for a while outside, then Cassidy found a nearby bench and sat down. Niamh sensed there was more she wanted to say.
“Miss Rivers,” Cassidy began, her voice soft and kind, “I hope you won’t see Julian again.”
3/3
