Chapter 343

I remembered Reynaldo leaving the room with a cold, murderous look, saying he was going to kill Matthew. Jonathan, as he said, has always been calm and reserved. From their three years of marriage, his extreme patience was evident. So why couldn't he restrain himself this time and had to fight with Matthew again? Is it because, as my ex-wife, I'm being bullied by Matthew, and he can't bear the loss of face? Or was it something else entirely?

Although my fever had subsided, a faint headache lingered. These complicated, difficult questions, requiring guesswork, were beyond my immediate capacity for deep thought. The more I pondered, the worse my headache became.

Jonathan said, “I really can’t figure out what Reynaldo is thinking. He doesn’t even consider that this is Matthew’s territory.” Getting Matthew to sign that contract wasn't easy. He actually fought with Matthew; the crucial question is, between him and me, who truly opposed Matthew's group. This time, we lost badly. Not only were we beaten, but this cooperation seems to be collapsing.

The car stopped at the intersection, waiting for the green light.

Jonathan suddenly looked at me and said, “I know this whole thing started because of you; they mentioned you.” While Reynaldo was still fighting, I slipped away. “I thought only you could resolve this,” he continued, “so I took the liberty of bringing you here.”

He paused, his tone growing more complex. “Ms. Duffy, I wanted to say, no matter how much you dislike Reynaldo, I hope you don’t harm him.”

“Did I harm him?” I asked, confused. When had I harmed Reynaldo?

By now, Jonathan had completely shed his usual carefree demeanor. His jaw and lips were bruised; his gold-rimmed glasses were cracked, giving him a stern appearance. The light turned green, and the car started.

His faint voice filled the car: “Every time Reynaldo lost control, every time he got hurt, it was because of you.” He mentioned his stomach problems and his near-fatal alcohol poisoning, all attributed to me.

“So, you may not love him, but please don’t hurt him?” he asked.

I turned to the window, a touch of self-mockery playing on my lips. Men, I thought, always judge from a man's perspective. He said I hurt Reynaldo, but did he ever witness Reynaldo hurting me? If Reynaldo hadn't treated me so badly for Kimberly last night, none of this would have happened. Now, all the blame fell on me. I made Reynaldo lose control, got us beaten, and cost us the collaboration?

The cold wind blew in through the slightly open window. My thin clothes offered little protection against the chill, but the coldness in my heart was far deeper.

I smiled, composed myself, and said, “I know this collaboration is important to you and Reynaldo. Don't worry; I won't let you lose it.”

Jonathan glanced at me, his expression complicated, but he said nothing more. What could he say? He often joked with me, but he was never truly my friend.