Forsaken Bonds

Ryan's words were provoking. He spoke as if I were some stand-in who only got in because he was not around.

I refused his toast and turned to leave.

Nicky exploded and accused me of being rude. She even demanded I kneel and apologize to Ryan, or she would stop Tara's treatment.

I initially thought she was bluffing. Tara was her daughter, after all. She knew how serious her illness was.

However, she was not bluffing.

I called her countless times, went to her office, and even looked for her at Ryan's place, but she was nowhere to be found.

I could only watch as Tara died in my arms.

The thought filled me with a burning hatred.

I decided to face their provocation head-on.

"Moonlight Hotel, right? I'll be there at eight at night sharp."

Nicky sounded pleased. "That's more like it. If you'd just—"

I hung up before she could say another word.

I gently brushed my hand over Tara's urn.

"Tara, Dad will avenge you. I'll ruin them."

With everything prepared, I arrived at Moonlight Hotel at 8 p.m. sharp and entered the private room.

Alongside Nicky and Ryan, the room was filled with about a dozen men and women, most of whom had been at the last gathering.

Nicky had gone to great lengths to restore Ryan's pride.

It was obvious that Nicky loved Ryan far more than me.

When Nicky and I had just gotten married, she often went out for business dinners.

I would pick her up if she was drunk, only to be mistaken by her clients as some male stripper and showered me with unwanted affection. When I tried to fight them off, the commotion finally drew a staff member who broke things up.

However, Nicky insisted on not reporting it as those clients had offered an additional two percent profit on the contract.

I could not help but think that Nicky would not have allowed Ryan to be humiliated over money if he had gone through something like that.

Everyone's eyes were on me, and Ryan's smugness was clear.

Nicky replied in annoyance, "Stop standing there. Get over here to apologize to Ryan."

I stepped forward, looked at Nicky, and asked, "You insisted I owe Ryan an apology. What exactly did I do wrong?"

Nicky's face darkened and exclaimed, "Jensen, stop acting dumb!"

I smirked coldly and replied, "I'm your lawful husband, Nicky. How could refusing the other man's toast be my fault?"

Ryan stood up, placing his hand on Nicky's shoulder with a defiant gaze. "Everyone knew I was the one for Nicky back then. I didn't—"

I cut him off, "You were, but I'm Nicky's lawful husband now. What are you now?"

Ryan looked uncomfortable and muttered to Nicky. "Nicky…"

I turned to Nicky, my voice filled with scorn. "Nicky, do you remember what you said when Ryan dumped you and went abroad?"

After Ryan left, Nicky drowned herself in alcohol. I was the one who looked after her, encouraged her to get back on her feet, and helped her build her company to its successful standing.