Marina took Xavier and found a spot a bit further away, just so she wouldn’t have to see Lavern and Javi, She didn’t want those two ruining her meal.
But she had barely settled in when Lavern strolled over with his tray and sat down right next to her, like it was the most normal thing ever.
Xavier jumped up, ready to block him.
Lavern frowned and said in a low voice, “I need to talk to you about work.”
Lavern said, “I need to talk to you about work.”
Marina didn’t even glance at him. She just picked up her tray and slid over to sit by Xavier.
“Go ahead,” she said.
Lavern was clearly annoyed by Marina’s move, his face darkening instantly.
‘She’d rather sit next to the big guy than me?‘ Lavern thought, resentment flaring up inside him.
He couldn’t hide his anger, staring at Marina with a heavy, brooding look.
Marina didn’t give a damn about his mood. She crossed her arms, leaned back in her chair, and stared at him with that cool, indifferent look.
“Mr. Ross, if you’re not going to talk, I’m going to start eating,” she said.
Lavern forced himself to swallow his anger, doing his best not to snap at her.
“Marina, we can talk while we eat,” he said.
As he spoke, he picked out the dishes he knew Marina liked from his own tray and placed them on hers, putting on his best caring boyfriend act.
Marina didn’t even glance at the tray in front of her, not even bothering to pick up her fork.
“With you here, I can’t even bring myself to eat,” she said.
Lavern’s grip on his fork tightened. He looked up at Marina, a mix of hurt and irritation flickering in his eyes.
“Marina, don’t push me. I’ve got a splitting headache, and my wound still aches,” he said.
He was hoping his injury would make Marina soften up.
From the moment they stepped into the cafeteria, Marina hadn’t even noticed the bandage on his forehead.
It wasn’t until he mentioned it that she finally lifted her eyes and gave it a glance.
When Lavern saw her look at his forehead, he finally let out a breath he’d been holding.
After seven years together, there’s no way Marina could be completely indifferent to him.
“Marina, it’s fine. I’m not mad at you. I know you were just upset. I love you, so I’m not going to hold it against you…” Lavern said, his voice soft as he looked at her.
He gave her a soft look, but there wasn’t a hint of concern in her eyes.
16:57 Tue, Dec 23 MT.
Chapter 106
Her striking eyes held a mocking smile.
His words died in his throat, stuck there.
Lavern’s heart, which had just started to relax, twisted painfully again.
‘Marina wasn’t supposed to act like this,’ Lavern thought.
Back then, even the smallest cut would have her all worried and fussing over him.
‘How can she look at me now, so indifferent, like she doesn’t care at all?‘ Lavern thought, his chest tightening.
“Marina…” Lavern called out, his voice soft, almost desperate.
Marina rubbed her ear, clearly out of patience now.
“Lavern,” she said, her voice cool and distant.
Lavern instantly straightened up, his attention fixed on her.
“I’m here,” he replied quickly.
Marina gave a sarcastic laugh.
“You sure seemed to enjoy yourself when you cheated on me. So what’s with all this desperate clinging now? All you’re doing is making me sick, nothing else.”
Lavern’s face turned ashen as he listened to Marina’s words.
He clenched his fork, staring at Marina with a look full of unwillingness, searching her face for any sign that she didn’t mean
- it.
‘She’s just bluffing,‘ Lavern tried to convince himself. ‘Yeah, that must be it.‘
Lavern frowned, and people nearby started picking up on the tension, sneaking glances over at them from time to time.
He sucked in a harsh breath, his fingers trembling as he quickly set down his fork, making sure no one saw how rattled he
was.
Marina didn’t even glance his way. She picked up her fork and moved every single dish he’d put on her plate right back to his tray.
She did it all without a hint of emotion, while Lavern’s face was so stormý it looked like it might rain.
He glared at her, brows furrowed.
Marina, meanwhile, had completely lost her appetite.
“Next time, Mr. Ross, do me a favor and stay away when I’m eating. You seriously make me lose my appetite,” Marina said.
With that, Marina stood up from her seat.
Lavern took a deep breath, his face went rigid, unable to hold back his anger any longer.
“Marina, do you really think you have zero responsibility for how we ended up like this?” he demanded, voice tight.
Marina frowned, glancing down at Lavern still sitting in his chair.
She felt even more sick to her stomach.
16:57 Tue, Dec 23 M
Chapter 106
‘Daron was spot on, Marina thought. ‘Guess I really was blind, for 7 years!
Xavier saw Marina getting up to leave and quickly stuffed a few more bites into his mouth–dude was still starving
Marina paused for a second when she saw him, then said, “It’s fine, take your time.”
Xavier shook his head and stood up too.
“My job is to stick by your side and keep you safe,” he said.
Marina raised an eyebrow, knowing guys his size always had a monster appetite.
He’d been standing outside her office all morning, and she wasn’t about to let her drama with Lavern mess up his meal.
She sat back down.
“Go ahead, I’ll wait,” she said.
Lavern froze, his dark eyes constricting. The moment he saw Marina sit back down, his breath caught. He was totally thrown off.
‘Marina cares more about her bodyguard than she does about me!‘ Lavern thought, jealousy burning inside him.
‘She can’t even spare a glance for the gash on my forehead–thanks to her, by the way–but she’s all worried about her bodyguard missing a meal!‘ Lavern thought bitterly.
Xavier paused, about to say no, but when he saw Marina sitting there so chill, he just shrugged and dug right in. After a few mouthfuls, he couldn’t help but throw some compliments her way.
“Ms. Finley, you’re honestly the most beautiful and kind–hearted boss I’ve ever met,” he said.
“With looks and a heart like yours, you can do no wrong. As for that guy who betrayed you and tried to throw dirt on you? Sooner or later, karma’s gonna bite him back.”
Marina raised an eyebrow, looking pretty satisfied with Xavier’s flattery.
Lavern’s face grew even darker, looking nothing like his usual handsome self.
He got up abruptly and walked away, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
Marina glanced up, and just as she was about to look away, she spotted Shayna standing at the cafeteria entrance. Shawna looked like she’d been through hell, pale and exhausted.
Lavern glanced at Marina, noticing she’d seen Shawna too. He quickly said, “Marina, trust me, I can handle this.”
With that, he strode over to the cafeteria entrance and roughly grabbed Shawna, dragging her away.
As Shawna left, she shot Marina a death glare, her eyes burning with pure hatred.
If looks could kill, Marina would look like a pincushion from all the knives Shawna was throwing her way.
Marina met her gaze, stone–faced and totally unfazed, not a hint of emotion showing.
From the way Shawna was acting, it was pretty clear she was pinning all the blame on Marina.
‘How does she have the nerve to blame me?‘ Marina thought, her expression icy.
‘I made her the center of attention at the wedding, just like she always wanted. Lavern’s never going to forget her after what happened at his own wedding. So what’s she got to complain about?‘ Marina mused, a hint of sarcasm in her thoughts.
16:57 Tue, Dec 23
Chapter 106
If anyone deserves the blame, it’s Lavern, Marina thought coolly.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
