Chapter 98
It took me a moment to recognize the disheveled man in front of me–Nigel.
1 let out a cold laugh. “Whoah, Mr. Morrison? Here to drop off a wedding gift? You can leave it at the front desk downstairs. Thanks.”
He clearly didn’t expect that. For a second, he just stood there, stunned.
“N–No, that’s not it, Rianne. I’m here to take you home-“}
“Home?” I laughed again, this time with a sharp edge. “What home?”
“Nigel, don’t forget…” I looked him dead in the eye. “We’re divorced. The papers were signed and stamped. Whatever ‘home‘ you’re imagining doesn’t exist anymore.“}
His face turned pale. “No… no, it’s not like that. Rianne, I never wanted a divorce. You tricked me into signing those papers!“}
I was so angry I laughed. “Really, Nigel? You’re a grown man. How exactly did I trick you into signing anything? How did I force you to file for divorce?“&
“If your memory’s fuzzy, let me remind you then.” I scoffed bitterly. “You were too busy cooking for your little mistress. Too busy making her happy!”
His eyes turned red. “I–I admit it, Rianne. I let myself get caught up in something… something stupid! I was blinded, but it didn’t mean-“}] He stepped toward me carefully, reaching out as if to touch me.
But before he could, Hunther punched him square in the jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.
“Bastard! I haven’t even started holding you accountable,” he said through clenched teeth. “But since you showed up, perfect! Old debts and new ones–we’ll settle them all today!“}
Another punch landed on Nigel’s face, harder this time.”
ཌཆ བ ་ོ ཇ ཥ
“If you were never going to love her right, if you couldn’t stay faithful, why did you go after her in the first place? Do you have any idea how many men would kill for the chance to treat her right?!“}
Punch after punch, Hunther shouted the words between swings. I knew he was angry–furious at Nigel, yes–but also at himself.” “You’re not a man!” he spat. “You locked your own wife in a basement over another woman! You fucking hit Rianne?! Shame on you, bastard! If I’d known this was how it would end, I would’ve stolen her away at your wedding seven years ago!“}
Nigel lay still for a moment, but those words sparked something in him. His bloodshot eyes snapped open.“]
“Steal her? You think you could? Let me tell you, Rianne loves me. Only me! She’s just marrying you ‘cause she’s angry. But I’ll win her back, just wait! She’ll come back to me–and when she does, you’ll be the one crying!“}
Hunther shouted back, “You don’t even deserve to say her name! I love her more than you ever could. I’ll never give you the chance to hurt her again!”
Seeing him so furious over someone like Nigel, I couldn’t stand it.”
I walked over and gently helped Hunther to his feet, then pulled out a wet wipè and carefully cleaned his knuckles.
When I looked down at Nigel–pathetic, humiliated, sprawled on the floor–I spoke slowly, clearly.
“Nigel. What makes you think you have the right to talk about love?“}]
“Do you know what it was like the first time I saw you with Luella at the hospital? I felt like I’d gone insane. But I still forced myself to act calm, to act generous. I bit down so hard I nearly swallowed my own teeth.”
“That day, I told myself–I’d forgive you once. Just once. But the second time I saw you with her… I didn’t love you anymore.”
His eyes welled with tears. Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees.
“Rianne, I know I was wrong. I was so wrong! I–I let you down. I ruined what we had!”
“I came today to apologize. Please–come home with me. Let’s start over. Let’s go back to the way we were in college.”}
“I swear to you, I’ve cut ties with Luella. Even that child–we’re done. I’ve handled everything. I swear, no one will ever come between us again, Rianne. I know you won’t forgive me, but just… just give me one more chance to make it right. Please…”
