Chapter 510
“Hey, Mr. Thomas! Mr. Thomas!”
Edna watched helplessly as Jonathan stormed out, so frustrated she could only stamp her foot in anger.
On the hospital bed, Marina’s tears slid silently down her cheeks.
Why?
She’d sacrificed so much already-why still wouldn’t Jonathan marry her?
While Jonathan was heading back to the office, Niamh arrived at Elmer’s apartment.
It was a high-end place, government-sponsored, with all the trappings of modern comfort.
Elmer handed her a fresh mug of coffee.
Niamh, glancing between her phone-where Michael was sending over files-and Elmer, shot him a grateful smile.
“I’m starting to think you might be my lucky charm.”
Elmer looked genuinely flustered at that.
“Really? Well, that’s quite an honor.”
Niamh didn’t elaborate, but the thought lingered in her mind. At least this time, she wasn’t facing all of this alone-Elmer was here, right by her side.
“So, what’s your next move?” Elmer settled on the sofa beside her.
A laptop was open on the coffee table. Niamh plugged in her phone.
“First, I’m going to check out the clues Michael just sent me…”
She tapped on a video. Elmer took one look at the screen, then
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immediately shot to his feet and turned away.
“I’ll, uh, get you a refill.”
Niamh couldn’t help but laugh.
“Still so squeamish, just like back in school.”
Elmer pursed his lips, a bit indignant at her teasing.
“I never watched stuff like that in school… and this isn’t about being squeamish-it’s just gross.”
His earnestness made Niamh quickly apologize.
“Sorry, sorry! I shouldn’t make fun of you. Tell you what, I’ll buy you dinner-whatever you want.”
“You said it. I’m definitely holding you to that.”
Elmer’s gentlemanly smile returned, and he ducked out to the kitchen.
Niamh turned back to the video, but the longer she watched, the sicker she felt.
Just then, Michael messaged her on WhatsApp:
Did those clues help?
Niamh: Definitely. Thanks so much, Michael.
Michael: A thank you isn’t enough.
Niamh: Then what do you want as thanks?
Michael: Remember those rings we had custom made? If you wear the one meant for you, that’s the best thanks I could ask for.
Reading that, Niamh’s eyes widened. Her pulse skipped.
She’d noticed Michael’s attitude toward her growing more ambiguous, but she hadn’t expected him to make a move like this.
23.32
Their chat stalled. Michael, still in Blackspire, waited a while before her reply finally came through:
Sorry, Michael. I have a boyfriend.
Michael’s smile froze. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, disappointment clouded his eyes.
He’d heard-even from across the country on business-that Elmer had gone public about being Niamh’s boyfriend.
But he hadn’t believed it.
Without hesitation, Michael called her directly.
“Your boyfriend is Elmer?”
“Yeah!” Niamh admitted.
“Break up with him. Now.”
“Why?”
“Because, come on-Elmer looks like he couldn’t handle a jog, let alone a relationship.”
Just as Michael said that, Elmer came back in with her coffee.
He noticed Niamh clutching her phone, her face stuck between embarrassment and laughter.
“What’s up, Nia?”
“Nothing, really…”
Before she could finish, Michael’s voice blared intentionally through the speaker: “I’m telling you, you’re dating a guy with zero stamina!”
Elmer’s face darkened instantly.
Niamh hurriedly hung up. “Michael’s just being an idiot-don’t mind him, okay?”
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Before she could say more, Elmer’s tall frame swooped down and pinned her into the cushions, trapping her with a playful grin.
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