Holly was about to speak when Nadine appeared from behind Jasper. She greeted Holly insincerely, saying, “What a coincidence, Holly! Jasper and I were about to head over to a restaurant near our college for dinner. Since you’re here, why don’t you join us?”
“I’ll pass. I don’t feel like eating.” Holly declined without hesitation.
However, Nadine insisted. She pulled and tugged on Holly, determined to get her to go along.
As they got into the car, Nadine opened a bag of chips and dropped crumbs everywhere as she munched on them. Jasper, who was particular about cleanliness, said nothing about it. He even used his handkerchief to help wipe her hands.
When Nadine said that she felt uncomfortable in her seat, he pulled over and patiently adjusted it until she was satisfied.
In the restaurant, Jasper picked up the menu and ordered Nadine’s favorite dishes out of habit… He’d even tell the waiter repeatedly not to put any onions, ginger, or garlic in them.
Holly had noticed his considerate and caring actions toward Nadine before. She had thought that was because they were family. However, she’d overlooked the fact that Jasper never behaved like the authoritative, decisive CEO he was before Nadine.
For Nadine, he’d compromise on his own principles with no bounds, tolerating her every whim. He’d give her only the best.
Only those who harbored unending love toward another would dote on them without expecting anything in return, no?
Holly didn’t touch the food at all.
Halfway through the meal, Jasper received a phone call and left the room.
Nadine instantly dropped her pretenses and looked mockingly at Holly. “Jasper has agreed to throw me a wedding in Mireva. I didn’t have to do anything, save for shedding a few drops of tears, and he readily agreed to it.
“Although he said he’d only be with me for a month, I knew he’d enjoyed our time in bed. He was reluctant to leave the house in the daytime, not wanting to be away from me.
“He’d come home especially early at night so that he could have more time with me. Every day, he’d hug and kiss me nonstop.”
Holly’s expression showed no hint of sadness or disappointment. She calmly said, “Well, congratulations. I hope your wish comes true, and you’ll get to marry the one you love.”
The expression she had when she said that led Nadine to believe she was being sarcastic, and she became agitated.
“Why are you pretending to be so generous? You can’t still be thinking that Jasper will
remarry you, can you? He knew I was faking cancer, yet he agreed to marry me. That’s enough proof that he loves me and me alone. Are you still blind to that fact?”
Was she blind? Oh, no. She certainly wasn’t blind.
Holly’s lips curled slightly. Not wanting to argue, she picked up her handbag and decided to
leave.
The moment she got up, the door opened.
Nadine, who was gloating at the top of her lungs just moments ago, immediately fell to the floor like a fragile doll. She even coughed up a mouthful of blood.
When Jasper saw her in that state, his eyes widened. He quickly ran up to her and pulled her into his arms. “Naddy, Naddy…”
With reddened eyes, Nadine went all limp and started twisting what actually happened. Jasper, Holly forced me to down an entire bottle of wine. I don’t know why she’d antagonize.. me like that, but I drank it anyway to please her. I didn’t know it would take a toll on me.”
Jasper’s expression turned grim. He glared at Holly, enraged. “Holly, how have Naddy wronged you for you to force her like that? Do you want to kill her?”
Holly watched them in silence, feeling exhausted.
She didn’t want to waste her time explaining. Grabbing a bottle of wine, she uncorked it. ” Since you think it’s my fault, then let’s assume that’s what actually happened. She coughed up blood. Coincidentally, I’m allergic to alcohol. Can I leave after downing this bottle?”
Tilting her head back, she started drinking.
Jasper didn’t see that coming. He couldn’t quite process it. Still, he never stopped her as she drank every single drop.
As soon as she started drinking, Holly had begun to feel discomfort. It felt as though ants were crawling all over her. She picked up her handbag and endured the discomfort as she staggered
out of the room.
When she reached home, red rashes had covered her body like swarms of red ants. Her face was swollen, too.
She rummaged through the drawers for her allergy medication. After taking it, she soaked herself in a tub of cold water to relieve the pain.
As the icy water swept across her face, droplets rolled down her cheeks like tears would. However, she wasn’t crying. She felt like she was free from bondage now.
The next day came. It was the day when Holly was to go abroad. She had just packed her suitcase when her phone rang. She answered it and heard Jasper’s voice.
“Holly, I shouldn’t have yelled at you last night, but you were in the wrong. You purposely caused Naddy distress, so I didn’t stop you from finishing off the bottle.
“I’m going on a business trip today for a project and will return in about two weeks. I should be able to repay my debts by then. Let’s get back together when I’m back.”
Holly knew every single word was untrue. He wasn’t going on a business trip. He was going to Mireva with Nadine for their wedding.
She wanted to say they wouldn’t get back together anymore. This time, she would leave him for good. However, Jasper hung up without waiting for her reply. She couldn’t even say her final goodbye.
Smiling, Holly blocked all his numbers. Then, she picked up her suitcase and headed for the airport.
The airport was crowded. Still, Holly just so happened to spot Nadine and Jasper. Their arms. were linked, and they looked very affectionate, just like any other couple.
Not wanting to face them, she lowered her head and mingled with the crowd.
At a glance, Jasper thought he saw someone who looked like Holly. But when he refocused his gaze, she was nowhere to be found.
Holly was back at the rental apartment waiting for him to remarry her, though. Why would she be here?
Frowning, he thought it was a mere hallucination Soon, he put that all behind him and led Nadine onto the plane.
Meanwhile, after watching them leave, Holly then turned toward the other direction. She knew that after this, they would no longer cross paths with each other.
Chapa
Chapter 8
