When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 256

He didn't dare ask for a day off, nor did he dare to collapse.

Worry, panic, and fear consumed him.

He was terrified that at any moment, someone would come to arrest him. He was terrified that Artina would implicate him, damning him for good.

But he didn't dare contact her, afraid of leaving a trail of evidence or calling at the wrong time. All he could do was stew in his own terror, every second an exercise in anxiety, convinced that disaster was about to strike just as it had for Artina. One moment, she was happily eating dinner at his place, and the next, her world had come crashing down.

While he was repulsed by her vicious plan to get rid of the baby, he felt he had no other choice. He and Artina were in the same boat now, forced to rely on each other. The plan was disgusting and cruel, but it was the only one they had. The idea was to stress her body until she miscarried, then pass it off as an irregular period to pull the wool over everyone's eyes.

But plans rarely survive contact with reality.

Instead of getting away with it, the truth came out.

Every second was a torment for Matteo, an agonizing wait. He couldn't help but think of the unshakable sense of peace he'd felt with Henrietta... it had been so comforting. Now, he lived in constant dread, like he was walking a tightrope where one misstep would send him plummeting to his doom.

Around noon, Jethro finished his part of a surgery and headed back to his office. As he reached the hospital entrance, security told him his fiancée was waiting for him. Jethro's handsome face instantly darkened.

Artina had nearly dozed off in his office, the mental strain on her was immense. Just then, his secretary, Ms. Lane, came in to ask what she'd like for lunch. The flash of deference from the staff gave Artina a desperate flicker of hope, a reminder of the life she was about to lose.

If only this whole mess hadn't happened. If only Jethro still doted on her. Then her visits here would be met with top-tier service, and she could act as she pleased, carefree and confident. But now, while a part of her was buoyed by the attention, another part was drowning in guilt and regret.

"No, no, that's alright," Artina said, feigning modesty.

Suddenly, a tremendous crash echoed from the doorway, making both her and Ms. Lane jump and scream in terror.

When she looked, Artina's face turned white as a sheet. The heavy oak door slammed against the wall with a deafening crack, the frame groaning under Jethro’s unbridled fury.

Artina's eyes widened, and she nearly collapsed. Was he really that furious?

Ms. Lane was pale with fright. Once she recovered, she stammered, "Director..."

Jethro strode forward, his face a thundercloud. "Get out," he ordered her.

Terrified, Ms. Lane practically fled the room. She had never seen the normally gentle and composed director in such a rage. Were he and his girlfriend having a fight? It must be a terrible one.

As soon as the secretary was gone, Artina's legs felt weak, but she forced herself to call out, "Darling..."

The hair on Artina's arms stood on end. But before she could invent an excuse, Jethro snatched the bag from her and started rummaging through it. Her eyes widened as she scrambled to think of a plausible lie.

As she feared, Jethro found the necklace. He sucked in a sharp breath, then threw it in her face and slapped her hard across the cheek. "You're a compulsive liar," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "Greedy and malicious."

"I just wanted to keep it as a memento!" she cried. "Do you have to misunderstand me? Have you decided you'll never believe me again?"

Jethro felt dizzy with rage. How could she say such things when the proof was right in front of him?

He kicked her over. "Get out! If you don't leave right now, you won't walk out of here alive!"

The threat terrified Artina. Not daring to say another word, she scrambled to her feet, grabbed her bag, and ran out, clutching her face and sobbing.

Jethro, his head spinning, proceeded to destroy his entire office. He was in agony. The woman he had once cared for had revealed herself to be a squirming maggot—disgusting, foul, and cheap. How could his heart ever find peace again?

Outside, the terrified secretary whispered to a security guard, "Did Jethro Nash catch his girlfriend cheating? I've never seen a fight this scary."

The guard whispered back, "For him to get that violent? I'd say that's a pretty safe bet."