After Mia stormed out of the banquet hall, barely holding herself together, Nick walked in with a large bouquet of roses.
“Jenna, why are you here alone? Where’s Mia?” Nick asked, puzzled. “Didn’t I ask you to take her to change into her wedding dress?”
Jenna’s expression flickered with guilt. She avoided Nick’s gaze, looking off to the side, but her words were still sharp. “Mia left! She was upset that you’ve been focused entirely on Xenal lately and ignoring her, so she stormed out and balled on the wedding.”
Nick frowned, his brows knitting together. “Ranaway? Impossible. Mia isn’t the type to do something like that.”
He knew Mia too well. She was as gentle and docile as a little white rabbit. She never contradicted anything he said or opposed any decision he made
. Sometimes, even Nick himself felt he was too harsh on her, but she always silently endured, understanding and accommodating him with her endless patience and tenderness.
Just like two days ago, when he had forced her to drink the medication that caused unbearable stomach pain.
He had regretted it afterward, realizing he had gone too far. But his pride wouldn’t allow him. to admit his mistake or apologize to her directly.
That was why, on their fifth wedding anniversary, he had decided to hold this wedding ceremony for her. It was his way of making amends, however small.
“Mia is kind and understanding. She’d never run away for no reason.” Nick’s expression darkened, his gaze turning cold and oppressive as he glared at Jenna. “Jenna, what’s really going on? Tell me the truth!”
Jenna shrank back under the pressure, her bravado crumbling instantly. Desperately, she looked to Xena for help.
Noticing the tension, Xena walked over gracefully and took Nick’s hand in hers. With a delicate frown and a soft, pleading tone, she said, “Nicky, it’s my birthday today. Can you focus on celebrating with me and let everything else go?”
She was still wearing the pristine, voluminous white wedding gown.
Nick immediately recognized it. It was the custom dress he had ordered for Mia.
“How is this wedding dress on you?” Nick exclaimed in shock. “This was custom–made for Mia!”
At his words, Xena’s expression instantly shifted to one of wounded innocence. “Nicky, what are you saying? Wasn’t this dress made for me?”
Nick let out a cold laugh. “Xena, don’t tell me you’re still foolish enough to believe that I’d be
25 BONUS
hung up on you a divorced sociallte cast aside her family?”
