Chapter: 316

The underlying meaning of his words was clear-he wanted her to get out of there.

Maddie could hear it too.

Realizing her emotions might have been too intense and her words too harsh, she took a moment to compose herself. With a sigh, she softened her expression, masking her inner turmoil with a facade of resignation. "I've said all I needed to say. This time, we didn't force Bethany to leave. It was her decision. Jonathan, I hope you find your way through this."

Jonathan remained completely unmoved, not even sparing her a glance.

With a frustrated sigh, Maddie stood up. "I really do have things to attend to, so I'll go now. Nikolas, take good care of him and call me if anything happens."

"Sure. I'll see you out."

"No need. I can go by myself."

Maddie cast a lingering glance at Jonathan before stepping out of the room in her high heels, the sound echoing in the hallway.

Nikolas felt a knot of nervousness tightening in his stomach. He braced himself, expecting Jonathan to scold him for bringing Maddie here. But what Jonathan said caught him off guard.

“Bethany was here, right?"

Jonathan closed his eyes, a mixture of longing and sadness washing over his face. In his dream, he saw Bethany sitting by his side, wearing a white dress, just like when he first saw her walking into the classroom.

She looked at him with worry and affection, promising she wouldn't leave, telling him all the things she had said before were just jokes and that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

Struggling to open his eyes, Jonathan found only emptiness where moments before there had been something-nothing but the faint, lingering scent that was somehow familiar.

Nikolas’ expression hardened as a frown crept across his face.

“Bethany didn't come! She doesn't care whether you live or die!"

"I know she was here," Jonathan insisted.

"You weren't unconscious just now?" Nikolas suddenly realized that his words might have revealed too much. He scowled, his lips pursing in displeasure. "Why does it matter to you? Even if she did come, she didn't stay. Her departure was infuriating, but thankfully, justice still reigns in the heavens."

He was glad that Bethan would live a life barren of children, though he kept these words to himself.

Nikolas knew that if Jonathan ever heard it, he might conclude that Bethany's insistence on divorce stemmed from her infertility. He had harbored similar suspicions earlier.

Regardless, their separation was inevitable. The reasons seemed trivial as long as everyone could return to their normal Lives.

Casting a cautious glance at Jonathan, Nikolas chose to remain silent.

Suddenly, Jonathan declared, “Arrange for my discharge."

"What? You're barely able to stand! The doctor mentioned you have alcohol poisoning and need at least three days of hospital care!"

"Just do as I say," Jonathan repeated firmly.