Chapter 26
Daphne was filled with confusion, unsure why Jonathan had arranged for her to take this particular position.
“Jonathan, we already see each other every day at home. Do I really have to be glued to you at work too?” she asked, her brows slightly furrowed, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Jonathan couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What, you’re not happy about it? I wouldn’t have done this if I hadn’t gotten hurt for a certain someone…”
Daphne immediately glanced at the bandage on his head and interrupted him anxiously, “I didn’t say I wasn’t happy…”
Meanwhile, Matthew, since parting ways with Daphne at the hospital, felt as though a flame had been ignited in his heart, growing more restless by the day.
He couldn’t stop thinking about her, yet her words–asking him to stay out of her life–echoed painfully in his mind.
Charlotte, since revealing her true colors to Matthew, had been ignored entirely.
Noticing Matthew’s somber expression, she decided to prepare lunch for him.
“Matthew, I’ve made lunch. Come down and eat,” she called out sweetly.
“Get out!” Matthew responded coldly.
The mere sound of her voice fanned the flames of his anger. If not for Charlotte, he and Daphne wouldn’t have gone through so many hardships.
“Who do you think you’re fooling? If it weren’t for you driving Daphne to lose her memory, maybe she’d be the one cooking for you now,” Charlotte snapped, pushing the door open with a touch of sarcasm.
Matthew had long wanted to sever ties with Charlotte, but their shared history from childhood made it complicated. After all, he was the one who had personally taken her to
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Forsaking the Years of Longing
Chapter 26
the marriage registry to get their certificate, and without mutual consent, a divorce wasn’t simple.
“Charlotte, let’s get a divorce,” he said firmly, his voice carrying a mix of resignation and determination.
Charlotte scoffed, her tone dripping with bitterness.
“You wish! You’re done with me now, suddenly remembering how good Daphne was, and
now you want out? Dream on!”
Matthew couldn’t deny her words struck a chord. If it weren’t for his own actions, Daphne wouldn’t have lost her memories. Even if she did remember him, all she’d recall would be
the pain he caused her.
Downstairs, Charlotte, still seething, noticed Matthew’s phone on the table.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she opened it, only to find that Daphne was pinned as the top contact in his messages.
Rage surged within her. Even after losing her memory, Daphne still won’t go away?
Turning toward a corner, she made a phone call, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
At the office, Daphne spent her first day as Jonathan’s secretary in a blur of monotonous
tasks–serving tea, fetching water, and attending to Jonathan’s needs.
Though the workload wasn’t heavy, she found the mundane nature of it more exhausting
than her previous job in the Finance Department.
“How’s the work? Easy, isn’t it?” Jonathan teased, a playful grin on his face.
Easy for you to say, Daphne thought. Serving someone isn’t as simple as it looks.
“As long as you’re happy,” she replied with a forced smile, masking her faint
disappointment.
“Time to clock out! Let’s go–I want to take you somewhere,” Jonathan said, grabbing her hand with boyish excitement, momentarily shedding his vice–president image.
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Chapter 26
They drove to a charming Italian restaurant. Daphne’s eyes lit up as she took in the cozy, unique ambiance.
“I picked this place especially for today. Pretty nice, huh?” Jonathan’s voice carried a hint of pride and anticipation.
Daphne nodded eagerly, her smile growing brighter.
They quickly took their seats, and the food arrived shortly after. As Daphne savored the meal, she couldn’t help but tease, “What’s the occasion? Why are you suddenly treating me to a fancy dinner? Did something good happen?”
Jonathan’s heart fluttered. Indeed, there was good news: learning they weren’t blood–related had stirred a quiet hope in his heart.
He had always cared deeply for Daphne, but now he recognized his feelings ran deeper than brotherly affection. Perhaps, unknowingly, he had fallen for her a long time ago.
“To celebrate your smooth transition into being my secretary,” he said with a smile, carefully concealing his true thoughts. He knew confessing too soon might overwhelm her, so he decided to take it slow.
“Sure, sure,” Daphne said, rolling her eyes playfully. “Maybe next time you can get a sister–in–law to keep you in line!”
Jonathan didn’t respond, her lighthearted comment leaving a bitter taste in his heart.
Daphne truly sees me as nothing more than her brother, he thought.
Still, seeing her cheerful expression filled him with contentment.
As long as Daphne was happy, Jonathan didn’t care about the nature of their relationship.. Whether as her brother or something more, he was determined to stay by her side.
