Chapter 32
My reaction was intense, and Jonathan seemed taken aback by my anger. The more calmly he remained the more hysterical I’seemed in comparison.
“If you insist on causing trouble for her, I’ll have someone keep an eye on you,” Jonathan said, “Grandpa doesn’t have much time left. I can’t allow you to cause trouble during this period.”
That was it.
Whether it was for his grandfather or for Alicia, I was always the one who could be sacrificed without a second thought.
“You’d really lock me up just to stop me from bothering Alicia…”
Even though I had long forgotten the past and erased all the feelings I once had for him, leaving behind only a hollow memory, I still couldn’t help but ask why–for the sake of that girl who had been so broken by him that she once considered ending her life.
I asked Jonathan, “Why did you marry me in the first place?”
I thought that if the 25–year–old Elise was still here, she would also want to know the answer to that
question.
I didn’t understand why he married me in the first place, when it was so clear he didn’t care about me and had his eyes only on Alicia.
Jonathan stared at me.
It was clear he had not expected that question. Naturally, he also had no intention of answering it.
A heavy, indescribable silence settled between us.
This was always how things went between us. If I didn’t ask, he wouldn’t speak.
If I did ask, he still wouldn’t answer.
“Jon…”
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted, followed by Alicia’s sweet voice.
In that instant, the fragile thread of emotion between us snapped, and the atmosphere shattered completely.
I suddenly didn’t want to know the answer anymore.
Without thinking, I pushed him away. Jonathan gave me a displeased look, then called toward the door,
What is it?”
Alicia hesitated. His tone wasn’t as indulgent as she had anticipated.
After a long pause, she softly said, “I’m sorry. Did I make you two argue again? It’s all my fault…”
Jon, I’ve always seen you as an older brother. You’ve been Important to me ever since we were childs Grandpa said you would take care of me, so I’ve come to rely on you. If Elise misunderstood, I can apologize. I’ll do anything to stop her from getting the wrong Idea. I never wanted to be your wife. I just don’t want to disappoint the elders,” she added, sounding genuinely remorseful.
When she finished, Jonathan’s expression softened.
He said calmly, “I understand. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle everything.”
I let out a cold laugh, wondering what exactly he planned to handle. Was it me?
Even with a door between us, I could picture Alicia’s expression perfectly.
She let out a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good. Grandpa said he wanted to see you…”
“I know. I’ll head over in a bit,” Jonathan replied.
Alicia lingered a moment longer before finally walking away.
I had to admit, she knew exactly what she was doing.
She managed to lower his guard by pretending not to cling to him, when in truth, she was simply playing the long game.
I didn’t know if Jonathan truly couldn’t see through her, or if he simply didn’t care. But to me, it no longer mattered.
For the first time, I looked Jonathan in the eye without a trace of anger or emotion. I calmly asked, “What will it take for you to agree to a divorce?”
Jonathan held my gaze. His impatience was even more obvious than before. “Why are you so determined to get a divorce?”
Chapter 33
