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Jonathan was always like this. Just when my wounds were starting to heal, he would rip them open again.
I smelled blood and immediately jerked my arm away from him. A sharp pain shot through the wound, and I quickly hid my left hand behind my back, gritting my teeth as I glared at him.
“Did I say something wrong? Didn’t you see how he treated me just now? Why should I rush to take care of him? He’s got Alicia. That should be enough!”
“You’re his granddaughter–in–law,” Jonathan said, staring at me. “The reason he’s so good to Alicia is because her grandfather was his comrade. He lost his life on the battlefield saving him.”
I hadn’t expected that.
“But what does that have to do with me?” I shot back. “It’s your grandfather who owes Alicia’s grandfather, not me. Why should I care about your family’s feelings?”
Jonathan’s expression grew colder, and I saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
“Elise, you weren’t like this before,” he said, looking at me as if I were a stranger.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “What was I like before? Should I have smiled and endured it even when they
stepped on me? Well, sorry, but I’m not doing that anymore!”
Jonathan paused, clearly struggling to contain his emotions. Without another word, he suddenly lifted me
over his shoulder.
I was startled, immediately pounding on his back. “Jonathan, put me down! Put me down!”
However, he ignored me.
Lately, he seemed to be carrying me around more and more, and he was getting better at it.
He knew exactly how to block me, effortlessly countering my attempts to fight back. Then, he swiftly carried me into a room at the far end of the manor’s corridor.
This room was a spacious, fully–equipped suite, with simple yet distinct decor that perfectly matched Jonathan’s personality.
He threw me onto the large bed. As I looked up, I saw our wedding photo by the bedside and realized this
must be our room in the manor.
I quickly climbed off the bed.
“Where are you going?” Jonathan asked, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Didn’t you hear what I just said? I don’t want to stay here. Whether your grandfather lives or dies, it has nothing to do with me! If you want to be with him, let Alicia stay with him. Why are you forcing me?”
My anger reached its peak, and I spoke without thinking.
Jonathan’s eyes burned with barely contained emotion as he stepped closer. “Elise, do you even realize
what you’re saying?
I took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Let me go. You know he doesn’t like me, and I cant go back to trying to please him like before. If you want him to be happy in his final days, don’t make me stay herë (1 only make things worse for him.”
Jonathan’s patience snapped, and he forcefully pinned me against him, tightening his grip around my waist. “You’re my wife, and his granddaughter–in–law. At a time like this, you must stay here.”
“Why should I? Why?”
I struggled against him, but in his strength, my efforts were as weak as a cat’s scratch.
“You don’t have to be in front of him, you don’t have to show filial piety to him, but you will cooperate with
me.”
His tone left no room for negotiation–it was an order.
I was furious. Without thinking, I bit into his palm. The taste of blood filled my mouth.
I looked up at Jonathan, meeting his deep, unreadable gaze.
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
