It Doesn’t Matter Anymore novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Greyson was thrown onto the street by the security guards of the Ritz- Carlton as if he were garbage.

The late autumn night wind was bone-chilling. He collapsed in the filthy water by the roadside, surrounded by the roar of luxury cars driving away and the mocking laughter of passersby pointing at him.

“Look, isn’t that Colonel Debeaux? How did he end up like this?”

“Colonel Debeaux? I heard he was forced to retire due to misconduct and unstable mental state. Now he’s just a useless man.”

“Serves him right. He drove his wife to despair for a mistress, and now his ex-wife has married into a wealthy family. What’s the point of regretting now?”

Those voices pierced his ears like needles.

Greyson wanted to get up, wanted to shout back, but as soon as he opened his mouth, another mouthful of blood foamed out.

He looked up at the brightly lit floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of the hotel.

A grand ball was being held there.

His Allie was probably being held in Jerico’s arms at that moment, dancing gracefully to the melodious waltz.

She was so beautiful, so dazzling, while he could only rot in the gutter.

With trembling hands, he took out a crumpled piece of their wedding photo from his inner pocket.

It was the only photo of them together from their wedding. He wore an impatient expression, while Allison smiled shyly and sweetly.

“Allie…”

He pressed the photo against his mud-stained face, letting out a suppressed, guttural sob.

He finally understood that some departures lasted a lifetime.

***

Three months later.

Spring came early to Florida, and cherry blossoms covered the hills around the St. Jude Catholic Church.

Allison held a newly blessed string of prayer beads in her hand, strolling leisurely down the mountain path.`

Jerico had gone to handle an emergency at a branch office, leaving a few bodyguards to follow her from a distance so she could enjoy some time alone.

In the three months since marrying Jerico, her days had been as peaceful as a beautiful dream.

Jerico cherished her, not letting her suffer the slightest hardship. The wounds in her heart, under such daily tenderness, had finally begun to scab over.

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