A Replacement Bride

Chapter 239
As calm and composed Katherine usually was, Joaquin's words left her completely stupefied, for she had never expected the
man to be that direct.
For a moment, she couldn't tell how she was feeling.
While her heart ached, she was also feeling warm and fuzzy, and the contradicting feelings left her feeling multitudes.
As shrewd as she was, how could she not tell what he was thinking? But it was also precisely so that she was even more
perturbed, as the night five years ago was like a thorn stuck in her heart, difficult to pull out.
Even when she now knew that man was him, she still felt disturbed when the story remained ambiguous.
That said, Jayden was still present, so she couldn't make a big deal out of it and only rolled her eyes speechlessly at Joaquin.
"Alright, that's enough."
Joaquin's eyes lit up as he smiled, saying no more.
Meanwhile, Jayden was riddled with jealousy as he watched the couple interact. He couldn't believe Katherine was married, and
by the looks of it, the couple was doing pretty well.
At that, he furrowed his brows. He had had enough of seeing the couple's interaction, yet he wasn't willing to leave just like that
either. Hence, he suggested, "Hey, it's already noon. I bet you guys still haven't had lunch yet, right? Kathy, I've come to Fontan
just for you. We should at least have a meal together, and since you and I are both available, why don't we have this meal now?"
It was a rather mild request, so Katherine nodded in agreement.
Then, remembering that Joaquin was suffering some injuries, she turned to him with a tilted head. "Why don't you stay home and
rest while I bring your lunch back after I have mine, or I can have someone bring it back to you if you prefer."
Of course, Joaquin was displeased by the suggestion. "Kathy, what wife leaves her husband waiting at home while she goes out
for lunch? Of course, I have to go with you. Our friend has come all the way here. How can we not entertain him as husband and
wife?"

You want me to stay here while you have an affair with a man who clearly has a thing for you? Fat chance! No way was he going
to give any man a chance. He would make sure to sever the thoughts of whoever dared think to covet his Kathy!
Katherine couldn't help feeling helpless yet amused. Honestly, did a bullet get stuck in your head? How have you suddenly
become so b*tchy?
But, hey, since he said he was doing alright, and the medicine she gave him worked great, there was nothing to worry about, so
she let him follow as he pleased.
Just like that, the trio headed to a restaurant 'nearby'.
Because Katherine's mansion was practically hidden, it took them thirty minutes to arrive at the restaurant despite being nearby.
Coincidentally though, the lunch rush had just passed when they arrived, so there were only a few customers. At that, they chose
a window seat.
Alas, the atmosphere at the table was rather grave and maybe even intense at that, as Jayden kept reminiscing about the past,
for he still wanted to win Katherine's heart over while also making Joaquin jealous.
And Joaquin, on the other hand, was naturally displeased, grim even, when he found the two chatting away, snubbing him.
However, he was a master at managing his emotions and expressions. Thus, he pulled a smile very quickly and tucked an errant
lock of hair by Katherine's cheek to the back of her ear.
Because of what he did, Katherine and Jayden's conversation came to an abrupt halt, and the air at the table froze over.
While Katherine was taken aback, Jayden turned grim, and Joaquin, on the other hand, played dumb, giving her a plate of
shrimp that he had deshelled for her and also exchanging the plate of steak placed in front of her for the one he had sliced up,
taking care of her like she was a child who couldn't feed herself.
"What are you waiting for? Eat up. It won't be as good if it gets cold." While speaking, he ruffled her soft, luscious hair, causing
Katherine to slap his hand away disdainfully, making a moue as she complained, "Don't touch my hair when you have shrimp
hands."
A chuckle escaped Joaquin as he gazed tenderly at his beloved. "Oh, I forgot. Okay, alright, you're the boss."
While Katherine was made speechless, Jayden couldn't help but curse internally, F*cking hell.

The couple's interaction made the already annoyed man even more exasperated, so much so that he had lost his appetite.
Fortunately for him, lunch came to an end pretty quickly.
As Katherine has had enough of Joaquin's b*tchy act, she made a random excuse to shoo Jayden away. "I have some
businesses to attend to in the afternoon, so if you don't have anything else, go back to Cechirus, alright, Jayden? Don't try to
persuade me to go back to Kyoland anymore. I have my plans."
Jayden frowned in response, and displeasure laced his amber eyes as he glanced at the man standing behind Katherine, who
was also boring into him with a half-smile, before shifting his gaze back onto Katherine. "I know nothing can change whatever
you've set your mind to, Kath, but I won't give up either. Since you're going to stay here, then I definitely can't leave Fontan
alone. It's quite rowdy here, and I'm worried for your safety..."
Meanwhile, Joaquin furrowed his brows at the fact that Jayden was courting Katherine as if her husband wasn't right there. Does
this b*stard think I'm invisible?!
At that, he pushed his tongue against his left cheek in exasperation, then took a step forward to wrap his arm around Katherine's
shoulder as he looked composedly at Jayden. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Hall, but Kathy will be perfectly safe with me.
You don't need to worry at all. In fact, I believe you should pray for your safety, Mr. Hall. After all, it's quite rowdy in Fontan, and
given your scrawny body, if anything bad happens to you guys, forget about protecting Kathy; I might even have to go in and
save you too."
Though rendered speechless, Katherine couldn't help wanting to laugh, made amused by Joaquin's retort. Joaquin sure has a
perfect record for roasting others.
Sure enough, Jayden turned grim, and his eyes were enveloped in nothing but displeasure after hearing Joaquin's words. But
before he could say anything, the latter had already hailed a cab and flicked his chin toward Jayden. "Your ride's here, Mr. Hall.
Have a good rest of the day."
Livid and speechless, Jayden glanced grimly at Joaquin before turning affectionately to Katherine, bidding her goodbye before
finally leaving reluctantly.
Then, after the cab had driven away, Katherine and Joaquin hopped into the car Savannah had prepared for them.
As soon as they made themselves comfortable in their seats, Katherine poked Joaquin's wound lightly, causing the man to groan
in pain while tiny droplets of sweat formed by his temples. His face blanched instantly, and blood, too, drained from his lips.

"What are you, trying to kill your husband?" He glanced indignantly at her and couldn't help mumbling, "Don't tell me you're
feeling indignant for that pretty boy."
The jealousy was so obvious that there was an imaginary neon sign above his head that said, 'I'm jealous'.
Katherine, on the other hand, was so at a loss for words that she didn't answer him but glared daggers at him instead. "I told you
to rest at home, but no, you just have to come out with me. See what happens?! Do you have a thing for masochism?"