Chapter 24
I stared at Jonathan, my gaze unwavering, alert to his next move. He paused, seemingly surprised by my strong reaction, displeasure darkening his expression. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice. “The hospital said you needed to redress your wounds. What was that about?”
I pursed my lips, impatient. “Haven’t I already told you? It’s none of your business!”
His gaze intensified, fury simmering beneath the surface. He grabbed my wrist, pressing me onto the bed. He pulled up my clothes, inspecting me for injuries. I struggled. “Have you lost your mind? Let go of me! Jonathan!” He ignored me, continuing his examination. Once satisfied I had no external injuries, he looked into my eyes. “Where exactly is it hurting?”
Jonathan’s gaze was intense, missing nothing. “Elise, did you get other injuries that day after you fell in the pool?” I thought I saw a flicker of regret beneath his controlled demeanor. Why? I laughed self-deprecatingly. Perhaps I imagined it, or my lingering feelings were playing tricks on me, like phantom withdrawal symptoms. I had no feelings for him now, no memories, yet one look stirred involuntary subconscious responses. It was minimal, though. I had forgotten him; my reactions were likely muscle memory, overlaid by disdain and disgust.
“Whether I was injured or not is none of your concern,” I emphasized.
Jonathan frowned, his voice deepening. “Come to the bedroom; let me take a proper look.”
“You’re not a doctor,” I retorted, rolling my eyes. I lay back, ready to sleep. He picked me up.
“Jonathan!” I yelped. As he moved, a wave of exhaustion washed over me; I stared at him helplessly. “I’ve given you the divorce agreement and submitted my resignation. What else do you want?”
“That’s the question I should be asking you. What do you want from me?” His gaze was dark, unreadable. He was inscrutable; no one could penetrate his thoughts. I assumed he loved Alicia and wanted them to be together, but he showed no intention of divorcing me. If he stayed because he liked me… no one would believe that. He chose Alicia without hesitation in a life-or-death situation. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t divorce me.
I gritted my teeth. “I want a divorce! A divorce! Can’t you understand?” I was near hysterical. Jonathan seemed not to hear. He carried me to the bedroom, his expression stony.
“Put me down!” I struggled, refusing to enter. “Jonathan, I want a divorce! I don’t want to sleep with you! I want a divorce! Don’t you understand? I don’t want to be under the same roof—”
Before I finished, a sharp pain shot through me. I looked up, shocked. “You… you hit me?”