novelraw Chapter 156: To Honor Her
Chapter 156: To Honor Her
Chapter 156: To Honor Her "This doesn’t even look like a ticket... more like an invitation," Joanne muttered, frowning at the screen. "Why is there a box for a ticket? And how much does this thing cost?" She blinked. "Wait... what is Wimbledon?"
Jeffrey nearly choked on his laughter. He leaned back against the headboard, watching her with an amused smile as she eagerly typed it into her
"Nah..." she murmured.
"You won’t?" Jeffrey’s brows drew together, surprised. That wasn’t what he expected to hear.
"I won’t fit in that world," she whispered. "I’ll look like a... wannabe."
Jeffrey’s smile faltered. Her breathing had already evened out. She’d fallen asleep.
He brushed her hair from her face and pressed a soft kiss to her bandaged forehead.
But that last sentence lingered. There were layers of hurt beneath those simple words. He could hear them now.
She’d never said it directly, but he’d seen it—how people in her own town treated her. Sure, some respected her, but the ones who used to "help" her? They acted like she owed them everything. Like they had the right to belittle her now.
And his family... They’d hurt her too. He didn’t know the details, but he could guess. If he had to put money on it, he’d bet his mother had something to do with it.
Still, he wanted her there. Needed her there. Not just for his grandfather. Not for some formality. He wanted to take her hand, walk into that box beside her, and introduce her proudly—as his.
Jeffrey Winchester’s woman.
Maybe... just maybe, that would be the right place to finally tell her the truth. Not to protect himself, but to honor her.
That’s when his phone chimed—a familiar notification tone.
His grandfather.
[Make sure she gets there. Let her know that she belongs.]
Jeffrey smiled. He could just imagine his grandfather squinting at the screen, grumbling about touchscreen keyboards, pecking out each word with those chubby fingers.
He held the phone for a moment, touched by the message.
Of course he knew. His grandfather knew Joanne wouldn’t feel like she belonged there. And he’d entrusted Jeffrey with the responsibility of showing her she did.
Jeffrey’s fingers hovered over the keyboard.
[How come she gets a call and I get a text?]
He grinned, then erased the message. No need to stress the old man. Philip would just fuss about typing a proper comeback.
Instead, he typed something better.
[Your wish is my command, Dearest Grandpa. Love you!]
He hit send, watched the little check mark turn blue, and set the phone aside.
Turning back to Joanne, he lay beside her, his gaze softening as he took her in.
"You do belong in my world, Jo," he whispered. "And I’m going to prove it to you. I’m taking you there."
No, he couldn’t settle as Jeffrey Daniels. He needed to be Jeffrey Winchester.
He brushed his thumb over her knuckles, and let himself imagine it—her in that Royal Box, elegant, radiant, unbothered by the whispers of the elite. His hand in hers. His name on her lips.
Not Jeffrey Daniels.
But Jeffrey Winchester.
Hers.