When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 239

There was more to the story.

Artina had feelings for Matteo. When his family proposed a match, she likely agreed immediately because of the favorable terms. That was why, even after they were both 'married,' she had shown up at Matteo's villa to say such a sentimental 'goodbye.' This was the conclusion Jethro drew from the available information.

"No, no, it's not like that!" Artina cried, shaking her head desperately, playing the part of the misunderstood victim. "It's not what you think! Jethro, Matteo and I are completely innocent, nothing happened. It's just... you don't understand. We artists... we're just... more emotional people!"

She was adept at shifting blame, attributing her behavior to her artistic temperament. It was another plausible explanation. People and their emotions were complicated. Seeing someone didn't necessarily mean feelings were involved, and not seeing them didn't mean they weren't. Artists were known for being sensitive, and some were prone to having complex romantic entanglements. It seemed understandable that such emotional sensitivities could lead to misunderstandings, forcing Artina to lie.

Seeing Jethro's brow knit in confusion, as if he were on the verge of being persuaded, Henrietta spoke sharply. "Completely innocent? I don't know about you and Matteo, but I know for a fact that you, Ms. Harmon, are anything but innocent!"

Jethro's eyes widened at her words. Artina, terrified, exploded. "What are you talking about? You're slandering me! Ms. Sargent, what have I ever done to you that you would set me up like this?"

"I knew it!" Artina continued, her voice rising with fury. "Yes, I admit it! Before Jethro came into my life, I liked Matteo. I pursued him, and I was serious about it. But you had already broken up with him! Was I not allowed to like him or pursue him?"

Henrietta just sneered.

"So that's it!" Artina accused. "That's what you've been holding onto, why you've been targeting me relentlessly! Even after I got married, you refused to let me go. So tell me, Ms. Sargent, why are you doing this? It's because you're still in love with Matteo! But you got married out of spite, and now you can't go back! That's why you're so obsessed with destroying me!"

Yosef stood to the side, his face an icy mask. Artina was trying to redirect the fire toward Henrietta.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with my judgment," Henrietta said coolly. "Me, have regrets? I doubt there's a single woman on this planet who would regret marrying Yosef. Don't try to use me to distract everyone. Yosef isn't blinded by love; he won't fall for your emotional theatrics. And what exactly did I set up? Did I force you to come to Matteo's house for dinner?"

Artina glared at her. "I already told you, I was just dropping off his phone and got invited to stay. I just wanted to say goodbye to Matteo! Just a goodbye! But you had to turn it into some kind of cheating scandal. Well then, Ms. Sargent, what are you doing at your ex-boyfriend's villa? Why are you even here?"

Henrietta laughed. Artina was truly desperate. Did she not see that Henrietta hadn't come alone? She had brought a whole entourage and still thought she could sling mud?

"I am here, of course, to reclaim my property," Henrietta stated calmly. "I paid for this villa."

She had successfully painted herself as the victim. She reached for Jethro. "Jethro, don't believe her. She's just being malicious."

Jethro's mind was in turmoil. Without thinking, he took a step back, and Artina's hand fell on empty air. She stared at her hand in disbelief, then gave a bitter laugh. "So this is what your love amounts to. The moment someone sets me up, you believe them!"

She looked at Jethro, who was still torn. Was it possible she was telling the truth, that she had just come to say goodbye to a past love?

"Ms. Harmon, don't flatter yourself," Henrietta said. "Jethro has been... more than good to you. You are the one who is unworthy."

Artina whipped her head around to face Henrietta, her eyes blazing with hatred. She screamed hysterically, "Are you not happy until you've destroyed me?"

She looked for all the world like a woman who had been grievously wronged.

That was the last straw for Henrietta. "I don't have time to destroy you," she said, her voice rising in anger. "You reap what you sow. You're the one who did something shameful, and it just so happens that I found out about it!"