Chapter 3
For a moment, Jonathan seemed surprised by how genuine the refusal in my eyes looked. But that was soon replaced by impatience. “Stop kicking up a fuss, Elise.”
I hated the tone he always took on whenever he spoke to me. Even the face I had secretly admired for years was starting to lose its charm.
“I’m your wife, aren’t I? I got admitted to the hospital for attempting suicide, and you
didn’t even bother to show any concern. And what’s more, you’re now speaking to me in such an aggressive and accusatory manner. What right have you got to walk all over me like this, Jonathan Ford?”
My anger seemed to light his fuse as well. He gripped my wrist tight and spat coldly, “You brought all this on yourself.”
His grip was strong, and unfortunately, right over the spot where my wound was. I winced involuntarily, but I forced myself not to cry out. Tears welled in my eyes, and in his
TE, I saw just how pathetic I must have looked. I held back my tears by a thread.
Then Jonathan suddenly let go, turned me over, and pulled me into his arms from behind. His voice remained cold. “I’ll let things go this time. But never fake a suicide to manipulate me again.”
I struggled, but Jonathan only held me tighter, making it clear he wouldn’t let me talk back. The disparity in strength between us was too huge, and after several futile attempts to free myself, I discovered that no amount of squirming would do me any good. So, I gave up.
When I woke up the next morning, Jonathan was no longer beside me. I casually threw on some clothes and made my way downstairs, only to see him already having breakfast at the dining table.
The butler, Hugh Stark, greeted me. “Good morning, Ms. Sawyer.”
I stood there unmoving. Jonathan didn’t even look up. “Come over and have breakfast.”
It was just breakfast, but the huge spread left me stunned. I couldn’t help wondering if all wealthy families had such grand breakfasts.
I sat across from Jonathan, and Hugh served me a bowl of oatmeal. The scent of mango hit me immediately, and I frowned. “Why is there mango in this?”
Hugh answered, “Ms. Alicia sent them over specially. Mangoes are her favorite, and she had them flown in from Eulariop…”
I lost my appetite in an instant. “I’m not eating.”
The sound of silverware clinking against porcelain rang through the room. Jonathan finally looked up at me and said, “Don’t push it, Elise.”
Charters
Anger burned within me. “Does it bother you tha I’m not eating mangoes now?”
“You’re not eating them just because they were sent over by Allcla, aren’t you?” Jonathan’s expression was frosty. “When will you stop being so jealous, Elise?”
‘Me? Jealous of Alicia? I didn’t know how Jonathan viewed me at 25. Perhaps he saw me as petty and pathetic. But regardless, I was still his wife. low could he not know that I was allergic to mangoes?
Just as I was about to speak up, Hugh announced “Ms. Alicia is here, sir!”
A gentle voice followed. “Am I intruding on anything, Jon?”
A slender figure walked in from the door.
All the household staff, including Hugh, greeted her with such familiarity that made it clear she was a regular guest.
It took all but one look for me to know that this was Alicia Zimmer.
I also noticed how Hugh addressed us. I was Jonathan’s legally wedded wife, and yet he addressed me as “Ms. Sawyer“. But he addressed her as “Ms. Alicia“. It was clear who he was on closer terms with.
It was no wonder I had such strong feelings against Alicia at 25 years old. I was Jonathan’s legal wife, but I could never compare to the open favoritism he showed another woman–all under the pretense of being childhood friends. Anyone would break down under that.
Alicia looked at me with feigned concern. “Ms. Sawyer, I heard that you… cut yourself. Are you alright now?”
I simply scoffed, not bothering to give her a decent reply.
