Chapter 60
How ironic. While they fretted over whether I would storm into their wedding, my lawyer was submitting indisputable evidence to the police.”
Nadia’s mother was never terminally ill. Her medical records? Fake. Even the blood on the that cheap motel’s floor wasn’t human.”
The whole thing was a setup, designed to turn Jonah against me, ensuring he would commit fully to marrying Nadia.”
Nadia thought she understood me. She believed that after being abandoned by Jonah and learning my so–called lesson, I would be too exhausted, too broken, to cause any trouble. In her mind, I would simply give up and disappear without a fight.”
She thought she had won.
Coincidentally, we ended up in the same hospital.[
As I passed by the emergency exit, the hushed voices of an intimate conversation caught my attention. I slowed my steps, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.”
“Jonah, you shouldn’t have stabbed Arabelle for me!” Nadia’s voice was thick with anxiety. “What if she reports you to the police? What will we do then?“\
My grip on my phone tightened.”
Jonah, however, sounded utterly unbothered. A hint of amusement even laced his tone.
“Arabelle loves me,” he said lazily. “She’d rather give her life to me than report me to the police. Unless she’s lost her
mind.“”
Nadia hesitated. “But-”
“Even if she reports me, I have plenty of ways to make her drop the charges,” he added, dismissive and certain. “So don’t worry–just focus on taking care of your mom. She can’t miss our wedding. I want her to share our joy.“”
A light giggle escaped Nadia, her tension melting in an instant./
“Jonah, you treat me so well…” she murmured, breathless. “I have no way to repay you.“\
Jonah didn’t answer immediately. From the suggestive silence that followed, I had no desire to linger.”
I stopped the recording on my phone. Then, without hesitation, I walked away.”
***
At the airport, the bustling crowd and the scent of fresh coffee in the air should have made me feel like I was finally free. But my mind was still drowning in the conversation I had just heard.
“Arabelle!”
A familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I barely had time to react before my brother came rushing toward me, his excitement practically radiating off him. His wide grin was the first genuine warmth I had felt in days.}
“You’re finally back!” He clapped a hand on my shoulder, nearly knocking me off balance. “If you took any longer, Gerald would’ve flown a helicopter to Hammerton to pick you up himself.“”
At his teasing words, a tall man stepped forward, his presence commanding yet steady. The man my brother had called Gerald took my suitcase effortlessly from my hands, his sharp eyes softening as he looked at me.”
suit.
“You’ve finally arrived,” he said. “I’ve come to pick you up.“”
The fresh groom’s boutonniere on his chest was impossible to miss. The vibrant red stood out against his crisp white
His words, coupled with his attire, drew the attention of those passing by. After all, it wasn’t every day someone saw a groom at the airport, seemingly waiting for his bride.”
And an unadorned, makeup–free bride at that.”
Feeling the weight of countless curious gazes, I instinctively reached up to lower the brim of my hat.”
But the lighthearted moment between us shifted the second my brother caught sight of my hand.”
The smiles on their faces vanished.
“What happened to your hand?” My brother’s voice was sharp, the warmth in his eyes replaced by something colder.
I pulled my hand back quickly, brushing off their concern with an easy excuse. “It’s nothing.“M
But my brother wasn’t so easily fooled.
“I just heard you on the phone with your lawyer.” His voice darkened. “Did that scum Jonah hurt you?”
My brother had never liked Jonah. Not from the very beginning. He had seen through him long before I did.X
I glanced at Gerald and gave my brother a look.
“Just let it go, Ronan,” I said quietly. “The wedding is what matters, or Mom will start worrying again.“”
Ronan clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as if he wanted to argue. But after a long pause, he exhaled heavily and grabbed my wrist.”
“Come with me,” he said gruffly.
Before I could protest, I found myself being dragged toward the airport’s medical station.
The doctor unwrapped the bandages with careful hands, but even his professionalism couldn’t hide his reaction when he saw the wound.
He sucked in a sharp breath.”
“This was a deep puncture wound,” he muttered, inspecting the damage. “If it had gone any deeper, it would’ve gone straight through your hand.“}
Silence hung in the air. My brother and Gerald exchanged looks, their anger barely restrained.”
“We’re taking you to a hospital,” Gerald said, his voice low and firm.
“I’m fine,” I interrupted before they could start a debate. “Mom has already been worried sick. If I don’t show up at the wedding in one piece, she’ll collapse from the stress.“}
My words, though lighthearted, did little to ease their anger. But after several reassurances, they reluctantly let it go.”
****
The car ride to the hotel was quiet. The wedding decorations in the vehicle felt surreal to me.”
Gerald sat beside me, his posture relaxed, but his eyes never left my hand. The conflicting emotions in them–anger, regret, something deeper–were impossible to ignore.
him.”
Finally, he spoke.
“Arabelle…” His voice was uncharacteristically soft. “If only I had met you sooner.“}
I turned to look at him, caught off guard.}
His fingers tightened slightly against his lap.
“No,” he corrected himself, his voice turning heavier. “The moment I realized I liked you, I should’ve taken you away from
I froze. The sincerity in his words left no room for doubt.
Before I could react, he gestured toward my wounded hand, his expression darkening.
“For every bit of pain you suffered, I will make him pay a thousandfold.“}
I lowered my gaze, my emotions unreadable. “I’m sorry,” I murmured. “I should’ve returned two days ago, but an accident delayed me. I didn’t mean to make you all worry.“”
He didn’t answer right away.”
The car continued down the road, the hotel coming into view in the distance. The moment felt weird, like I was watching someone else’s life unfold.
But there was one thing I knew for certain. Jonah wouldn’t get away with hurting me so easily.
Right now, his wedding must be in full swing. I just hoped he liked the wedding gift I had prepared for him.
