After sending his final, threatening message, Nick felt confident. He was sure he had it under control.
Mia loved him deeply. He was certain that after reading his messages, she would rush back to the banquet hall.
As always, she would lower her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Then she would cautiously apologize, pleading for his forgiveness.
The thought gave Nick a sense of satisfaction. Feeling reassured, he decided not to join the search efforts anymore and instead leisurely made his way back to the banquet hall.
By then, everyone else was still outside looking for Mia. The hall was empty, except for Xena, who hadn’t left.
Seeing her, Nick smirked with disdain. “You’re still here? What, are you hoping to stick around for my wedding with Mia?”
Hearing this, Xena suddenly burst into laughter. Whether it was from the overwhelming shock or sheer disbelief, she laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Nick, you don’t actually think Mia is coming back, do you?”
“Mia will absolutely come back,” Nick said confidently, a smug smile on his face. “She loves me more than anyone else ever could. No matter what I do, she always forgives me. She’s the best woman in the world.”
Xena’s laughter grew even wilder.
“Ha! Nick, you have the audacity to call me a fool, but the truth is, you’re the biggest idiot of all!” she said through her laughter, her voice dripping with scorn.
“No woman, no matter how forgiving, would ever tolerate her husband moving another woman into their home–especially not his first love!
“Why was Mia so ‘forgiving‘? Why didn’t she care when I moved in? Ha! Of course, it’s because she doesn’t love you anymore!
“She stopped caring because she stopped loving you. It’s only when you don’t love someone that you can endure their nonsense so easily!”
Nick’s once–confident expression darkened immediately.
He strode toward Xena, his steps deliberate and menacing, and grabbed her by the throat.
“Shut up, you vile woman!” he growled. “Don’t pretend like you know Mia. Someone as shallow and fickle as you could never understand what real love is. I’ve lived with Mia for years. Do you think I can’t tell whether she loves me or not?”
