Drowning in His Heartbeat
Chapter 3
“I didn’t say a thing. Believe it or not!”
Jennifer shoved her away, harder this time, exposing a reddened patch on her wrist. Her lips pressed into a thin, tight line.
Without so much as a glance at the man, she snatched up her pajamas and headed for the guest room. She’d make do there for the night.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Brandon seized her arm again, but she twisted free. Staring at his empty hand, a strange sensation tightened in his chest. This woman used to cling to him at every opportunity.
She’d even curl against his heart in her sleep. Why was she so distant now?
A slow, knowing smirk touched his lips.
“What, playing hard to get? That doesn’t work on me.”
Jennifer slapped his hand aside, her expression eerily calm. “You’re overthinking. I’m just tired and want a proper night’s sleep.”
Even after the door clicked shut, Brandon stood there, turning her reaction over in his mind.
Deep down, he was sure she was just throwing a tantrum. Leave her alone for one night, and she’d be back to normal. She’d always been so desperate for his attention—when had she ever stayed angry?
With that thought, he rubbed the prayer beads at his wrist and fell asleep.
The next morning, Brandon practically dragged Jennifer—ignoring her protests—to a restaurant.
It was a famous couples’ spot in the city, the kind that usually required reservations a week in advance.
For a moment, she thought he meant to apologize for yesterday—until she spotted Stephanie already seated at the table. How naive she’d been.
“I’m so sorry, sis. I told Brandon yesterday not to worry about me, but he wouldn’t listen. He insisted on walking the red carpet with me, saying you could just reschedule the registration in a couple of days…”
Stephanie smiled as she spoke, the triumph in her eyes impossible to miss.
“It was her big night, a once-in-a-lifetime moment. How could I miss it? Registering is just a small formality—it can wait. Jennifer will understand.”
Brandon’s voice held none of last night’s impatience; it was all gentleness now.
Jennifer found it absurd. Stephanie’s newcomer award was a “big night,” while their marriage was a “small formality.”
So this was how sharply Brandon drew the line between love and indifference.
Suddenly, she no longer felt like keeping the peace, not as she always had. She was leaving anyway—why keep swallowing her pride?
“It’s not a small formality.”
Jennifer’s reply was soft but clear.
“Every single time Brandon and I try to register, Ms. Jennifer here finds some ‘small matter’ to pull him away. To outsiders, it might look like you can’t function without a nursemaid. To anyone paying attention, it looks an awful lot like deliberate sabotage.”
“I wonder what the impact would be if it got out online—a rising star scheming to break up someone else’s relationship?”
Stephanie’s face flushed crimson. She shot Brandon a deeply wounded look.
“Brandon, I didn’t…”
Sure enough, the man’s expression darkened, his gaze turning accusing.
“What nonsense are you spouting? If anyone’s sabotaging things, it’s you. I booked this table a week ago to celebrate her award. She felt bad about yesterday and wanted to apologize to you in person. Is this really how you respond?”
Jennifer said nothing. She picked up the wine glass beside her and drained it in one go.
The liquor burned from her tongue to her throat, bitter. Everything felt utterly meaningless.
“Apologize to her. Then Stephanie and I will let it go.” Brandon added, as though bestowing a favor.
“And if I don’t?” Jennifer looked up.
Brandon choked back his irritation, his handsome brows furrowing. She was being more and more unreasonable. His voice turned cold, sharp.
“Apologize. Don’t make me say it again. If you refuse, consider the engagement off.”
He was sure threatening the marriage would make her soften instantly. A cold, confident smile touched his lips.
But the next moment, she simply said, “Fine.”
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