Chapter 78
Jeremiah took the tissue from Nicole’s hand and wiped the stain off her mouth.
He bent down slightly and gently cupped her chin with one hand while she turned her face to the side and
let him wipe it without objection.
Just as he finished wiping, footsteps echoed from behind them.
“What are you doing?”
Hayden stood outside the door with a stormy expression, and the bouquet of roses in his hand suddenly
seemed to lose its color.
Nicole froze for a second before reflexively pulling away from Jeremiah.
“There was something on her face. I was just wiping it off.” Jeremiah straightened up and explained
calmly while clutching the tissue.
“Do you need to hold her chin and get that close to do that?” Hayden stormed inside and tossed the
roses onto the table. In the next second, he grabbed Jeremiah by the collar.
His voice was cold and laced with murderous intent as he spat, “I gave Nicole space for two days, and
you’ve taken advantage of that to make a move on her.
“Let me be clear with you. My wife will always be mine. Even if you want her, you have no right to take her
away from me. Do you understand?”
Nicole was both astonished and outraged after hearing his statements.
“What nonsense are you spewing? Let him go!” she scolded.
Hayden paused and looked toward her. Disbelief and hurt were evident in his eyes.
“Are you defending him right now?”
Unable to take it anymore, she snapped, “Can you just stop it? He was just helping me. Did you come here after disappearing for a few days just to start a fight?”
Her words struck him like a blow to the gut.
He’d assumed that her fury would subside after they’d both calmed down. He’d also expected her to reach out first to clear the air about their recent argument or ease the tension between them. He even hoped she would soften her attitude a little.
He never imagined she would still be this cold, let alone use their time apart to get closer to Jeremiah.
Jealousy surged through Hayden like a tidal wave, and he shoved Jeremiah hard.
“Get lost and stay away from her! If you dare come close to Nicole again, I’ll chop your hands off!”
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“Hayden!” Nicole’s anger boiled over. “If you keep treating me and my friends like this, you can just leave!”
Hayden pressed his lips together as his fists slowly clenched at his sides. His eyes were filled with
disbelief and hurt.
Nevertheless, he didn’t storm out. Instead, he forced himself to calm down.
“Get out. I need to speak to Nicole alone.”
Jeremiah smoothed down his crumpled collar and suppressed his rage for Nicole’s sake. “I’ll be right outside. If you need anything, just call me.”
Nicole’s eyes shone with guilt and gratitude. She nodded and watched him leave the room.
When she was left alone with Hayden, she turned to look at him indifferently and said, “You have five
minutes to say what you need to say and then leave.”
Hayden picked up the bouquet again and approached her, cautiously holding it out.
“If
you want to have a good life with me, stay away from Jeremiah.”
Nicole narrowed her eyes and looked up at him. “Do you think everything wrong between us right now is
because of him?”
He shook his head but didn’t deny it. Yet, not denying it meant that he suspected her of infidelity.
In an instant, Nicole felt a chill seep into her heart.
“Go. I have nothing more to say to you.”
Hayden pulled the small card from the bouquet and handed it to her. This time, he didn’t insist on staying.
“Read it and decide whatever you want.”
Chapter 79
