Chapter 618

When Jonathan heard that Danielle was married, he froze, a sudden ache splitting through his heart.

He’d never heard news of her marriage while abroad, only because Danielle’s wedding had been extremely low-key. A flash of loss flickered in Jonathan’s eyes.

Danielle’s face lit up as soon as she heard Ross had arrived. But the next second, she pouted and huffed, “I don’t want to see him.”

Yet before she could finish, her parents told the servant to let Ross in. They could see through her act–she was clearly longing for him, but too proud to admit it, even pretending to want him gone.

Jonathan was confused. He assumed Danielle was arguing with her husband and refusing to speak to him. If a woman shut out her man, it must be the man’s fault–otherwise, why would she flee to her parents‘ house?

Jonathan decided he ought to evoke Ross‘ crisis awareness and to make him realize Danielle was desirable even without him. If Ross didn’t cherish her, plenty of other men would line up to take his place.

When Ross entered, he saw Danielle on the couch, but beside her sat a young man who seemed to radiate hostility. Ross‘ gentle expression instantly hardened into a cold frown.

Danielle had meant to scowl at Ross for rushing over, but she couldn’t help snickering and quickly ducked her head to hide it.

“Danielle, you’ve spent so much time chatting with me,” Jonathan suddenly said. “Have some more strawberries.”

Danielle looked up to find Jonathan winking at her. It took a few seconds for her to catch on, then she grinned. “It’s nothing. Feel free to ask more questions.” She popped a sweet grape into her mouth.

“Thank you, Danielle,” Jonathan replied.

Danielle’s parents stifled laughs at their daughter’s mischief. They had no intention of mending things between Ross and Danielle just yet–they wanted to enjoy the show.

Jonathan was taken aback by Ross‘ appearance. He carried himself like nobility, elegant and poised.

Ross‘ striking, aristocratic air made Jonathan feel inferior, but he refused to back down.

Besides, now that he knew Danielle was married, his heart was already broken. He was simply standing up for her, teaching her husband a lesson. If Ross didn’t value her, countless other men would.

Danielle deliberately ignored Ross, but when their eyes met, she choked on the grape in her mouth.

Jonathan, sitting closest, quickly grabbed a glass of water from the table. “Danielle, have some water.”

The water soothed her, and she caught her breath.

Ross sat down beside her without a word. As soon as he did, Danielle inched two steps away. “Jonathan, don’t you have many questions?” she prompted.

“Danielle, I was wondering what it feels like to be in the operating room,” Jonathan said. “I’m starting my internship soon and I’m a bit nervous.”

“Your first surgery is intimidating,” she admitted, “but we’re professionals–here to save lives. You have to focus harder than ever.”

“What department are you in?” Danielle realized she hadn’t asked.

“Surgery, like you,” Jonathan said. “Cardiothoracic.”

Danielle nodded. “If you’re undecided, Yaleview Hospital is excellent.”

Jonathan’s eyes lit up. He’d considered Yaleview, but its reputation attracted so many top doctors that competition among new hires was cutthroat–he’d hesitated to apply.

“Could you refer me, Danielle?” he asked.

“Of course,” she said.

They delved into work talk, leaving Ross utterly ignored. After a long silence, he finally said, “Who’s this?”

“My neighbor,” Danielle said, smiling over her water. It wasn’t a seductive smile, but a mischievous one.

Jonathan offered Ross a smile. “I’m Jonathan Smith.”

“Ross Jean,” Ross replied.

Jonathan suddenly placed the name. He’d seen it in recent financial news–Ross was the head of Basterel’s prominent Jean family.

The Jeans and the Shellys were well–matched, and even bickering, Ross and Danielle exuded an unspoken intimacy.

Ross spoke slowly, “I’m thirsty, Dear.”

Danielle blushed at the endearment–he’d never called her that in front of others. Normally, she’d have laughed and hugged him. Tempted as she was, she held back.

He needed to explain why he’d hidden the truth. She wanted a baby with him. So she pouted, “Get it yourself.”

Ross nodded and poured himself a glass of water.

Danielle’s parents barely contained their laughter. She was clearly thrilled but playing hard to get, waiting for Ross to cave.

Ross picked up the kettle and somehow fumbled it, spilling hot water over his hand. His knuckles flushed.

Danielle’s concern spiked. “Ross, what’s gotten into you? So clumsy today.” Angry as she was, worry laced her voice.

“I worked late, came home to find you gone, then drove two hours to get here,” Ross said. “I’m just… tired.”

Danielle fell silent, regretting her question. She looked away. “Serves you right. Shouldn’t have come rushing over at night.”

“I just wanted to see you sooner,” Ross said.

Danielle clicked her tongue. “Come with me.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him upstairs.

Jonathan watched, realizing Danielle clearly loved Ross–even if they were fighting. He couldn’t fathom what the rift was about.

Danielle’s parents shook their heads. “Sorry, Jonathan–Danielle and Ross are just having a little misunderstanding,” they said.

Jonathan nodded. “I see.” Disappointed as he was, there was nothing to be done. “It’s late. I should go.”

Sylvia nodded and saw him out.

Upstairs, Ross sat on Danielle’s couch, his gaze fixed on her. He looked calm, but jealousy gnawed at him.

Danielle fetched the first–aid kit. “Give me your hand.”

Ross held it out. She winced at the redness, gently blowing on the burn before pricking a blister and dabbing on antiseptic.

Ross seemed not to feel the pain, letting her tend to him. When she finished, Danielle said, “Don’t think this means I forgive you. Why don’t you want a baby?”

Ross pulled her into his arms. “I don’t want you to have one. Not like this.”

Danielle pulled back, fuming. “You never objected before! You just lied to me, stringing me along.”

Ross said nothing, just kissed her hard. “It’s my fault. Forgive me, Dear.”

Danielle turned her face away. “Not yet. You’re sleeping in the guest room.”

Upon hearing this, Ross said, “I’m jealous.”

Danielle smiled, “Who are you jealous of?” She played with his tie as she spoke. “I was just having a normal chat with him.”

She and Jonathan were indeed just having a normal chat. But Ross could tell that the guy looked up to Danielle a lot.

When Jonathan looked at her, there was admiration in his eyes. If they talked a bit more, Jonathan would definitely fall for her.

As a man, Ross knew well what other men were thinking. But right now, Danielle was still mad at him and couldn’t get her to ease his jealousy.

Ross said, “I don’t want to sleep in the guest room.”

Danielle said, “Then you sleep in my room. I’ll take the guest room.”

Ross frowned. He itched to make love to her, but forced himself to stay calm. “I haven’t eaten.”

Danielle nodded. “Wait here. I’ll have the servants make you something.” She headed downstairs.

Her parents looked up as she appeared. “Fixed his hand?”

Danielle nodded. “He’s hungry. I’m making him something.”

She’d told Ross she’d ask the servants, but planned to cook herself. Her parents guessed Ross hadn’t fully explained–if he had, she’d have forgiven him by now.

If secrecy was sowing strife, maybe Ross shouldn’t hide Danielle’s old injury anymore. With Shermaine’s help, a baby was possible.

“I should talk to Ross,” Sylvia said.

“Go ahead,” her husband agreed. “He’s a man of his word–he’ll keep our secret unless we tell him otherwise.”

Downstairs, Danielle tied on an apron, opened the fridge, and started cooking. Her skills were limited–she only knew how to make pasta. Peeling tomatoes and blanching them, she stirred up a sauce.

Sylvia stepped into the kitchen. “Still not forgiven him?”

Danielle pursed her lips. “He lied for so long. I can’t let it go that easily.”

Sylvia sighed. “It’s not his fault. We asked him not to tell you.”