He Never Loved Me, Until I Left by Joy Brown Chapter 05

He Never Loved Me, Until I Left by Joy Brown Chapter 05

Which hotel were they staying at? Should he go see them?

He was still Joseph’s father. Still Isabella’s husband, technically.

He couldn’t keep treating her like the enemy.

But when 6:30 rolled around, he still hadn’t decided.

He picked up Alice for a dinner at the Martinez estate instead.

The ranch’s main hall glittered with chandeliers and crystal. Nicholas stood by the windows with champagne he wasn’t drinking, staring at nothing.

Was Isabella upset? Would Joseph start calling him “uncle’ now?

He pulled out his phone. Opened their chat.

“Mr. Jackson, we’re very optimistic about the international expansion.” Ethan Martinez appeared at his elbow with two other partners, all smiles.

“Great. Nicholas’s response came on autopilot.

‘Mr. Jackson?”

He blinked. “Sorry, what?”

Ethan walked him through the proposal again. Nicholas forced himself to pay attention.

They were making progress when Alice bounded over, phone thrust out. “Nicholas! Look at this gorgeous horse I just photographed!”

She was still talking as she closed in, not seeing the wine glass in his hand.

Wall-

Red wine hit his shirt. The stain bloomed across white fabric.

“Oh no!” Alice grabbed for napkins. “I’m so sorry! Here, let me-

Her hand landed on his chest.

Nicholas stepped back hard.

‘Don’t. It came out sharper than he meant.

Alice’s hand hung there, napkin pinched between her fingers.

Everyone was looking.

Ethan cleared his throat. “We should probably catch up another time, Mr. Jackson.”

“Yes, another time,” the others echoed, already moving away.

Nicholas stood in the hallway, watching them disappear.

He’d just tanked a deal over spilled wine.

The gossip would be all over town by morning.

Out on the terrace, Ethan lit up.

“Jackson’s got interesting taste,” Brandon Robinson said quietly.

“Different strokes.’ Ethan blew smoke. “Though I always thought Ms. Taylor was more his speed.”

‘Taylor?”

“His old secretary. Sharp as hell, never rattled.” Ethan looked wistful. “Tried to poach her once. No dice.”

Brandon’s smile turned knowing. “Yeah, no dice.”

They shared a look. Both shook their heads.

Nicholas splashed water on his face in the men’s room.

The mirror wasn’t kind.

His phone lit up.

Nicholas, I’m sorry… it’s all my fault…

He stared at Alice’s message. His thumb hovered.

Isabella wouldn t have spilled the wine. She’d have known where everyone was standing, timed her approach, defused any tension before it could land.

When was the last time he’d looked this incompetent in public?

He dried his hands and headed back out.

Alice was tucked into a corner, eyes pink.

She spotted him and hurried over. “Are you mad?’

“No.” He tried to soften it. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

“Really?” Her face lit up. She threw her arms around him. “You’re the sweetest!”

Nicholas stood there, arms at his sides, looking past her toward the dark windows.

He spent the rest of the night in corners, avoiding eye contact, downing whiskey.

Every minute felt longer than the last.