All eyes in the room settled on Niamh.
But Niamh saw only Elmer—her gaze fixed on him, even though tears blurred everything else.
Elmer approached her with calm, unhurried steps, reaching out to gently wipe away her tears.
“Why are you crying...?”
His voice was soft and soothing, like a gentle breeze or a stream of clear water.
The sound overlapped perfectly with the voice in Niamh’s memory.
Her heart thudded in her chest, beating so loudly she thought it might leap right out of her throat.
“Is it really… is it really you? Am I… am I dreaming?”
Even with the undeniable reality in front of her, she couldn’t believe it.
“It’s me.”
Elmer’s tone was as warm and refined as ever, but his answer left no room for doubt.
“Yes, Niamh. It’s me—Elmer.”
Before his words had even faded, Niamh threw her arms around him, holding him tight, as if she might never let go.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Marina and Susy stared, stunned.
Jonathan was thunderstruck.
If there was ever a moment that felt like being struck by lightning, this was it for Jonathan.
Niamh, right in front of him, had just embraced another man—willingly.
His hand, clenched in the pocket of his tailored trousers, dug so hard his nails left crescents in his palm. He was numb from the pain.
For a split second, Jonathan wondered if he was the one dreaming.
He’d imagined how Niamh might act after their divorce—maybe she’d struggle, too proud to ask for help, eventually coming to him with her head bowed. Or perhaps she’d pretend she didn’t care, showing off her independence.
But he had never, ever imagined her in another man’s arms—especially not in front of him.
He stepped forward.
But he didn’t interfere.
Or rather, before he could do anything, Niamh had already let Elmer go.
So he held back.
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