Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

Chapter

22

The online gossip surrounding Niamh in Greenburg worsened. Having experienced this once before, Niamh knew what was coming. The events thus far overlapped with everything that had happened in her previous life.

As long as she didn't divorce Castiel, the harassment and scheming against her would never cease. Her only option now was to avoid them.

She suspected that Macy's legs and eyes were perfectly fine and that the whole situation was at scheme to drive her mad. Those plotting against her assumed that Castiel would eventually demand a divorce. It never crossed their minds that Niamh, who had been so reliant on Castiel, would go away on her own.

So, her temporary departure from Greenburg was her way of fighting back against them.

"Shall I take you to the airport?" Billie offered.

"It's okay, Billie. You've got work to do. Also... Niamh paused, then added, "If Castiel threatens you because of this divorce case, don't fight him head-on. I have a way to deal with him."

"As if I'm afraid of him!" Billie's voice came back strong over the phone.

Niamh put a hand to her forehead tiredly and closed her eyes. "I know you're not, but I am."

Ever since Castiel took over the Jamison family business, he had been merciless to the outside She didn't want

world. The only warmth he ever showed was to her, but things were different now the outside

Billie to get dragged into this because of her.

"I'll fight this to the end with you," Billie insisted, even though she knew the case would be difficult to win.

Niamh felt touched after hearing her words.

On the way to the airport, Niamh received a call from Renee. On the other end, Renee sounded furious. "Who gave you the right to file for divorce? Withdraw the lawsuit immediately!" Niamh frowned.

Renee always believed that Castiel was a man all women would want, yet no woman was ever worthy of him to her. In her social circle, she prided herself on having a perfect son.

However, there was gossip about him and Macy all over the internet now. The divorce proceedings Niamh initiated caused the Jamison family to be the laughingstock in Greenburg. Because of this, Renee was panicking. "Come to Jamison Manor immediately," Renee ordered in a bossy way like she was the queen.

Niamh rolled down the window and let the cold wind rush in, chilling her to the bone. Her tone was icy as she replied, "Why should I go back? So that you can hand me a check and buy off my three years of marriage to Castiel?"

She was tired of them constantly employing such petty tactics to trample all over her.

"Niamh!" Rence shouted into the phone.

"If your son had been willing to sign the papers, would I have taken him to court? Don't call me again. If you have any dissatisfaction, take it up with your son!" With that, Niamh hung up.

The chilly wind blew away the sting of tears that came to her eyes. All she felt was relief. That feeling of relief Niamh felt upon finally fighting back after being a pushover for so many years was indescribable. She did feel a little scared, but for the most part, she enjoyed the liberation it brought.

Ever since she woke up, she had done so many things no one thought she would dare to do. Each one had been something she'd always longed to do but had never dared to go through because of her concern for Castiel.

Back at Jamison Manor, Renee was furious. In a fit of rage, she swept a cup off the table. "Who does she think she is? This is all because Castiel spoiled her!"

Sienna stepped forward to calm her down. "Mom, please don't upset yourself. I think my sister-in-law..."

"What sister-in-law? Your brother will divorce her sooner or later!" Renee cut her off sharply, her chest heaving with anger.

The mention of divorce made her blood boil. She believed that Niamh should have been kicked out long ago. She even had the audacity to file for divorce herself and make a fool out of the entire Jamison family!

"Alright, alright. She'll be out of this house soon. Don't get so upset, okay?" Sienna tried to soothe her.

"If your brother were as sensible as you, this wouldn't have happened. That Niamh sure gets on my nerves!" Renee exclaimed indignantly.

At the airport, Niamh received an email with a report from the evaluation she had done earlier. The public backlash continued to escalate, with online trolls still sending her threatening parcels. They were convinced she was a cruel woman who had harmed the mistress because of her husband's infidelity.

Several days had already passed, yet the insults kept coming in.

Niamh's phone screen flashed with a string of numbers. After a moment, the other party answered the call,

"Hello, this is the Greenburg Scoop."

"I'd like to expose something related to the recent scandal involving the Jamison family. Do you

want it?"

As soon as she hung up, Castiel's call came through

Niamh answered, "Hello."

"Where are you?" The voice on the other end was cold and devoid of warmth.

"It's none of your business," Niamh replied.

"Do you not understand what's going on outside? Go back home immediately!" Castiel demanded, irritation clear in his voice. It seemed that word about Niamh being missing from Maplewood had reached him.

She had left when the staff were on break, so no one had seen her leave with her suitcase.

"Send me your location. I'll have the driver pick you up," Castiel ordered.

Niamh closed her eyes.

Was he worried about her? Was he concerned that harm might come her way? The public outrage was mostly directed at her for her so-called moral failings, after all.

If she hadn't lived through this once before, she might have believed that he was genuinely concerned about her.

But right now, she felt nothing at all.