Chapter 106 Epitome of strength
MYSTIC SHADOWS FORTRESS
Arlo watched Jovy giggle at her phone screen. Despite going through so much in the expanse of a month, she looked more relaxed and calm now. It had been really hard to bring her out of her shell. The death of her unborn child and having to deal with an uncaring husband must have taken a huge toll on her. However, Jovy proved that she was and would always be an epitome of strength. She had gone back to her cooking class and tried to be more chatty. Thankfully, Amelia and Alice made it a point of duty to reach out to her and indulge in long conversations with her and that had also aided her healing process faster than expected. Not minding the fact that Logan has chosen to not be any part of her life as Jovy seem to have finally come to terms with the reality of her marriage life.
“Check this out, Arlo.” She said to him, pulling him out of his reverie.
Arlo blinked rapidly and tried to smile brightly. “Are you sure this casserole would work out?”
Jovy pouted. “I was expecting you would say how much you can’t wait to taste what I would cook. Why do you sound like I might feed you with poison?”
Arlo forced a grin on his face this time. “You did almost poison me with that macaroni and cheese two days ago.”
“I thought you promised to be my lab rat?” Jovy teased as she tried to hide a grin.
“So you intend to murder the lab rat before time?” He snickered.
The both of them burst into a fit of laughter. Arlo knows for certain that Jovy only makes the mistake of cooking poorly once and for every further preparation of such dish it gets really better. Her determination to make something good of herself made Arlo really proud of her.
“Have you heard from the company Linda spoke to you about?” Arlo asked.
Jovy inhaled. After meeting Linda before she got discharged from the hospital, all she wanted was forget about the revelation of her not being Tommy’s daughter. And actually she had almost forgotten about the other things mentioned. But Jovy’s memory was juggled back to when she had received some surmountable cash on the account Tommy had opened on her behalf before his death.
“I got an alert of a hundred and fifty thousand dollars yesterday.” She replied.
Arlo’s jaw dropped immediately. “Really? That’s a whole lot! How come you are still here?”
“What do you mean?” Jovy asked looking confused.
“That’s a lot of money, boo. How do you not understand that? You should be happy and jubilating knowing you are half way to finance freedom. Maybe this would give you enough courage to leave this hellhole without thinking you would be a burden to me.”
Jovy licked her lips and turned to the side. She had not been thinking of escaping her married life for a long while. Her shaky belief was still evident on Logan getting to see the goodness in her presence and would eventually develop some feelings for her. Also she wants the both of them to work out so bad.
The last two times she had seen Logan since she got discharged had been because they bumped into each other unintentionally. And Logan had given her condescending look which had made Jovy cower into the wall. She wakes up everyday hoping to not bump into him.
“I don’t know, Arlo. Logan hasn’t done anything to me as of late…so we are fine.”
Arlo huffed. “For how long do you intend to cover up for him? How do you call him a husband? Someone who doesn’t acknowledge you and doesn’t care to hold a conversation with you for the past one month now. How does that make any sense to you?”
“I know it is obvious that it doesn’t make any sense, Arlo. I just want to be sure I am too hasty jumping into conclusions.”
“The problem is, you keep trying to justify his actions and it hurts me so much. I wish you would stop letting those lies you tell yourself float through your head anymore. Alpha Logan isn’t worth the stress.” Arlo insisted.
Jovy chuckled lightly. Seeing how much the discussion of Logan gets to him, she couldn’t thank Arlo enough for his constant presence. Losing her child had almost tampered with her state of mind. However, seeing how much her friends looked out for her and always ready to help, Jovy knows she has no other choice but to dust herself and get over her sorrows. She feels happier doing so and her only worry is getting Logan to look her way. He hasn’t made a sexual advance at her either. It worries Jovy that she might not be attractive to him any longer.
“You are as sexy as hell! Don’t even think of anything less.” Arlo warned.
“Did I say that out loud?”
“You weren’t so discreet after all.”
Jovy adjusted herself on the stool. The both of them were seated by the kitchen island. She could feel the strain in her back through her attempt to sit upright.
“I know I do sound deranged sometimes but it is hard to let go of someone you dream about every night wishing you both would end up together and loving each other for the rest of your lives. I just want to feel loved. That is all I ask for.” Jovy said.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I am sure you do know getting that from the Alpha is so not possible.”
“What if…” She drawled.
Arlo threw her a stern look. “We are not having this conversation again.”
Jovy sighed into resolve. She knew it would be fruitless arguing with him. Arlo held her hands and smiled weakly. “You know I would only want the best for you right? I would go to any length to ensure you are happy and it’s now more like what I practically live for. Still it’s your life. I can’t make decisions for you but you need to think of your future. You still have solid years ahead of you so there is no need to waste it here all in the name of seeking love. This particular love isn’t worth it.”
Jovy shook her head as she leaned into him. Arlo wrapped his arms around her and slowly he began to him an unknown tune. The both of them stayed still lost in their own thoughts. The sound of Jovy’s phone ringing jolted them from their seats.
“I almost jumped out of my skin.” Arlo snickered.
Jovy chuckled lightly as she reached out to pick up the phone. A wide smile appeared on her face when the caller turned out to be Alice. She turned the screen at him.
Arlo rolled his eyes dramatically. “Yeah. Yeah, I get it.” Getting off the stool he kissed her forehead. “I will see you tomorrow then. Have a good night rest. I might still call to check on you.”
“Alright. Bye Arlo.” She waved at him.
“Take care.”
After watching him leave, Jovy packed up her laptop and jotter while she tapped on the receive button.
‘Hello best friend!’ Jovy mumbled into the receiver grinning from ear to ear.