Niamh didn’t want to admit she’d changed.
But she had.
She’d always dreamed of escaping the world’s chaos, but life had dragged her right into the thick of it.
Now, even The Thomas Group had fallen into her hands. There was no one left lurking in the shadows, waiting to stab her in the back.
Outside, dark clouds gathered. The wind howled so fiercely, it rattled the windowpanes.
Niamh stood and moved to the glass. A bolt of lightning split the sky, followed by a crash of thunder–loud enough to make her imagine some colossal beast was trapped in the storm.
Sheets of rain hammered down, blurring everything from view.
At least she’d had the foresight to send everyone home early.
Somehow, she’d managed to trap herself in the office, stranded by the torrential downpour.
The rain only seemed to be getting worse. If she waited any longer, she wouldn’t just miss the break in the weather–she might find the roads flooded, or even closed off. If that happened, she wouldn’t make it home tonight.
– ༢༠ ༤ –
With a sigh, Niamh gathered her things and prepared to leave.
Her car wasn’t in the underground garage today–it was parked in one of the street–level spots. She’d have to make a run for it through the rain.
Niamh paused in the lobby, staring out at the dense, unrelenting curtain of water.
Just then, a familiar car pulled up outside.
A deep blue Bentley.
Jonathan’s car.
She’d half–expected Jonathan might come looking for her–but to show up in a storm like this? It made her wonder if he’d chosen the timing on purpose.
“Afraid I’d run away, Jonathan?” she muttered under her breath, her eyes as cold as
the rain outside.
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As if on cue, Jonathan climbed out of the Bentley, holding a pitch–black umbrella.
With rain blowing sideways, not even the largest umbrella could keep someone dry. Niamh watched in silence as Jonathan strode through the rain toward her, his figure blurring, then clearing as he stepped under the awning.
He tilted the umbrella over her head, even though she was already sheltered by the overhang.
“Come with me. There’s something I want to say to you.” Jonathan’s voice was as calm and even as ever–never commanding, just quietly insistent.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it here.” Niamh lifted her chin, meeting his gaze without flinching.
She figured Jonathan must be here to settle scores.
The storm raged, the temperature dropping with the wind.
But no chill outside could compare to the coldness in Niamh’s eyes as she stared at
Jonathan.
It was the unwavering way she looked at him that made Jonathan feel a shiver deep in his bones.
“You’re not dressed for this weather…” Jonathan said, then shrugged off his own suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders in a practiced, gentlemanly gesture.
“That’s all you wanted to say to me?” Niamh shot back, her tone sharp. Without hesitation, she pulled the warm jacket from her shoulders–still carrying his body heat–and tossed it into the pouring rain.
Just like that, a designer suit became nothing more than trash.
For a split–second, embarrassment flickered across Jonathan’s handsome face.
“Is there anything else? If not, get out of my way.” Niamh turned to leave, but Jonathan caught her wrist.
For the first time, his hand felt hot–almost feverish.
Niamh glared at him. “Let go.”
Jonathan hesitated, then released her, absently rubbing his thumb and forefinger together. He reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a small box, deep blue velvet.
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He opened it to reveal a ring.
A diamond ring, set with a heart–shaped cluster. The center stone was huge, blazing with color; the tiny diamonds around it sparkled in the light–unmistakably a proposal ring.
Jonathan held it out to her, and Niamh could only stare in confusion.
“Niamh, this is for you…”
Chapter 515
Chapter 515
