When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 235

Artina's eyes widened, once again stunned. Overcome with emotion, she nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Jethro."

As for Yosef disowning him, Artina wasn't worried anymore. Even if he was disowned, they were still blood relatives. After some time, Yosef's anger would cool. If Jethro had stubbornly refused the disownment, she wouldn't have been able to marry him. Getting married first was the priority. Now, it was finally settled.

Jethro wanted to take Artina to the hospital to have her face checked, but the very thought of a hospital terrified her now. She made excuse after excuse, insisting she had to go to the set to appear professional.

"Alright, then," Jethro relented. "I'll take you to the set. Call me when you're done, and I'll pick you up. Tonight... where would you like to stay?" Aside from the family estate, Jethro had his own place. Now that they had the certificate, what they hadn't done last night was now perfectly legal and appropriate.

But Artina quickly interjected, "Jethro, I want to go home tonight. This is huge news. I have to tell my parents."

Jethro nodded. "I almost forgot."

"And," Artina added, "even though we have the certificate, everything happened so fast. My parents are really traditional, and they want me to stay with them for a few days to properly plan a wedding reception before we officially move in together."

The marriage was certainly rushed. Jethro realized they had done nothing properly—they hadn't even bought wedding rings.

"Okay," he agreed. "We'll follow your family's traditions. I'll take care of everything else."

"Mhm." Artina finally broke into a smile.

Jethro dropped her off at the film set. As she got out of the car, she said sweetly, "Bye, honey," and walked away with a shy smile.

The word "honey" filled Jethro with pleasure. He thought about all the things he had to do: the diamond ring, booking a venue, planning the ceremony, and setting up Artina's company... He couldn't skip a single step. Marrying Artina meant a complete break with his family... all these details had to be perfect. He was, in effect, starting his own branch of the family. The thought of being on his own was uncomfortable and unfamiliar, but he began to tackle the preparations.

Once Artina turned her back, however, her expression darkened. A horrifying thought suddenly struck her. If she terminated the pregnancy, her body wouldn't be ready for intimacy right away. She'd need at least a month, right? But how could she possibly get a marriage certificate and then stall for a month? Artina panicked, feeling she had made a terrible miscalculation. Had she backed herself into a corner where her only option was to take the risk? To just sleep with Jethro? But she'd just told him about the week-long tradition at her parents' house... What was she going to do? Her heart pounded as a cold sweat broke out on her skin.

Back at the office, Henrietta explained everything to Winona. Winona was aghast. "Holy crap, are you serious? My mind is blown! What is wrong with Jethro's brain?"

Henrietta mused, "Artina must be a very good actress. I really underestimated the destructive power of being blinded by love."

"So what now?" Winona asked. "You don't think they're going to... sleep together tonight, do you?"

"Artina wouldn't dare..." Henrietta shook her head, then paused, thinking carefully. She picked up her phone and made a call to Charlotte. She instructed Charlotte to keep Artina filming until late into the night, using the excuse of a tight schedule.

Matteo, exhausted, was half-lying on the bed. "What chance do I have now that she's married?"

Artina didn't quite believe him, but retorted, "Well, I'm married too."

"What?" Matteo sat bolt upright, staring at her in disbelief. "What did you say?"

"I married Jethro," Artina said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "He insisted on marrying me, even if it meant falling out with his family. In a few days, Yosef is going to publicly disown him."

Matteo couldn't comprehend what was happening.

"But he still insisted on marrying me," Artina continued. "We got the certificate this morning."

Matteo's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. "Are you insane? You're carrying my child! You're pregnant with my baby and you married another man! If he finds out, you'll be killed! If you want to die, fine, but don't drag me down with you!" It was then that Matteo truly saw Artina for what she was: a complete and utter madwoman.

"He doesn't know it's yours, so what are you afraid of?" Artina said. "And besides, I won't let him find out."