Chapter 9:
Nadia’s screams pierced the air, but not a single person spared her a glance of sympathy. Draped in her pristine white wedding dress, she looked like a tragic parody of a bride.”
When they assessed my hand after Jonah stabbed me, it didn’t even quality as a minor injury.
“The knife missed anything serious,” the doctor had told me. “No tendons, no bones–you’re lucky. If it had gone even slightly deeper, you might have lost function in your right hand.”
Lucky? That was hardly how I felt
I couldn’t swallow the humiliation. Even if I could only put Jonah behind bars for a few days, I would do it without hesitation. He didn’t have to love me. He didn’t have to marry me. But he didn’t get to treat me like this.
And I wasn’t the only one who thought so–Gerald felt the same.
So, when Jonah was released from detention after fifteen days and came looking for me, he was barely recognizable. His once–impeccable face was bruised and swollen, his lower lip split.
I raised an eyebrow at Gerald, but he simply said, “He offended someone in prison and got a proper lesson. His tone was light, almost amused, but there was a cold glint in his eyes.”
Jonah, standing before me in his battered state, turned his darkened gaze to Gerald, who was holding me protectively by the waist. But when his eyes met mine, his expression softened.”
“Arabelle, I know I was wrong,” he murmured, his voice filled with forced sincerity. “But how could you be so desperate to marry that you tumed around and wed another man?” His eyes darted between me and Gerald. “Are you two just putting on a show?”
Without a word, I lifted my hand, intertwining my fingers with Gerald’s in a deliberately slow motion.
“Let me introduce you–this is my husband. Legally. You were busy with your own wedding that day, so I guess you didn’t have time to attend mine.“2
The wedding ring on my finger gleamed under the light, catching Jonah’s eye. But in the next second, his gaze dropped to the angry, reddish scar on my hand.
His throat bobbed. “Arabelle, that scar…”
“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly, his voice thick with emotion. “I never thought that stab would hurt you so badly. I was wrong. A humorless smile tugged at my lips. “So, you only regret it because it left a scar?”
Jonah flinched but quickly composed himself. “Arabelle, I’ve already filed for divorce. Nadia and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. She deceived me–that’s why I made those unforgivable mistakes. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but can you give me a chance?” His voice softened, his gaze pleading. “Let me make it up to you.”
I had expected him to lash out, to blame me for his imprisonment. Instead, he stood before me like a pitiful man begging for redemption.S
I blinked. No, I wasn’t falling for this.
“There’s no need for compensation, I said flatly. “From now on, you go your way and I go mine.“%
I turned, tugging Gerald with me, but Jonah moved fast, stepping in front of me to block my path.
“Arabelle, don’t do this. Don’t marry someone just to get back at me,” he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. “I know you love me–that’s why you hate me. Once my divorce with Nadia is finalized, I will marry you.”
He searched my face for any sign of hesitation. “You love handmade wedding gowns, right? I’ll hire a top designer to custom–make one for you. No one will ever take it from you again…”
I stared at the man before me, at a loss for words.!!
Was this some kind of twisted joke??
“What I want, my husband will give me,” I said evenly. “I don’t need you to trouble yourself.”
Jonah stiffened. His eyes flickered with something raw–something unhinged.
“You love him?” His voice was hoarse. That fast?”
The way he looked at me, as if I had betrayed him, as if I had done something cruel to him–it made me laugh.
A sharp, incredulous laugh.
Jonah saw it and mistook it for something else. Hope, maybe.
Without warning, he reached out to grab my hand
I raised my palm, ready to slap him across the face, but before I could, Gerald’s grip closed around my wrist. And then–Smack!
A crisp, resounding slap landed on Jonah’s cheek.
Smack!
Another, on the other side.
Jonah staggered, stunned, his head snapping to the side. The red imprints of Gerald’s fingers bloomed on his skin,
“Honey” Gerald said smoothly, as if scolding a child. “Let me do it. No need to dirty your hands.”
His words rang in my ears. They were the exact ones Jonah had once spoken to Nadia.
Jonah stood frozen. His lips parted slightly, as if the strength had drained from his body. His fists, clenched tight just moments ago, loosened.
His arms hung limply at his sides.
And for the first time since I had known hirf, Jonah looked truly defeated.
