Chapter 1374 The Protective Husband
“She passed away?” Aoi asked.
“That’s right. She was too pampered and grew up without discipline. As a result, she did many bad things and ended up losing her life as retribution for her misdeeds.” Sharon sighed, though her expression remained calm. Years after the incident, she was finally able to talk about it without getting emotional and could even admit that her daughter’s passing was retribution. It was a sign that she had finally moved on.
Aoi’s look was a mixture of embarrassment and apprehension. She immediately directed a glare at her eldest daughter. “Did you hear that?” she said sharply. “You’ve gone too far, hitting your sister like that. I want you back in Jetroina with me tonight. Your father will hear of this, and he’ll make sure you get some discipline.”
What Sharon had said served as a wake-up call for her, and she was ready to send her intractable daughter back to Jetroina at once.
Himari paled. “No, Mom, please don’t tell Dad.” Cowed, she tried to plead with her mother, “It was wrong of me to slap Ichika. I was just upset by her words… And she hit me too.”
“Don’t justify your actions with excuses!” Aoi snapped. I’m done with putting up with your shenanigans!
A short while later, Solomon, who had reached home, received a call from Rufus, telling him that his in-laws would like to return to Jetroina immediately.
“I think it’s best that you arrange for them to leave as soon as possible, Solomon,” Rufus said with some hesitance. “Ichika’s sister… She, uh, got pretty violent and hit Ichika.”
Solomon’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Ichika was hit? Why?”
“I’m not sure. There was a quarrel that escalated. By the time Wendy and Sharon arrived at the scene, Ichika was already hit. All I have to say is, her sister is really nothing like her. I don’t even have a word to describe someone like that. Did you know that woman had even asked to stay in Sasha’s room?”
The silence from the other end of the line was steeped in cold fury. What Rufus said, especially the last part, had completely ticked off the man.
Two hours later, Solomon was seeing Aoi and a reluctant Himari off at the airport.
“I’m so sorry, Akiyama,” Aoi apologized guiltily. “You must have heard what happened. Please don’t think ill of Ichika. She’s not to blame. The fault is entirely her sister’s.”
She would hate it if her son-in-law got upset with Ichika because of this. Her worry, however, was redundant since Solomon knew better, and he was completely on his wife’s side for this.
“Certainly.” He smiled thinly at Aoi and handed her two boxes containing expensive sets of jewelry as a parting gift.
Before the latter could breathe a sigh of relief, Solomon spoke up again, “There’s something I ought to clarify. Ichika is the only reason I agreed to this marriage, and it has nothing to do with her family. In other words, the union between the Minamotos and the Hayes family wouldn’t have happened if it were someone else besides Ichika. I hope you realize that.”
His voice grew more chilly as he continued.
Aoi was stunned, while Hamari, who was standing beside her, flushed in mortification.
It was indeed a brutal remark coming from Solomon, a metaphorical slap to Himari’s face. Just hours ago, she had disparaged her sister and accused the latter of robbing her of the opportunity to marry Solomon. And now, the man in question was straightforward in his declaration that he would not have married anyone else besides Ichika, proving once and for all that Himari had never even stood a chance.
With a defeated look, Himari boarded the plane with her mother, who could not help but berate her again.
“You really disgraced our family today,” Aoi said, her expression stony. “If it’s marriage that you’re after, it can be easily arranged. Once we are back, I’ll start the preparations for you to marry into the Tsurka family.”
“Mom…”
Back at Frontier Bay, Ichika was waiting restlessly in the villa for Solomon’s return.
Wendy brought some ice over and tried to comfort her, “Ms. Minamoto, please don’t worry. Mr. Solomon knows what he’s doing. He won’t make matters more complicated.”
Wordlessly, Ichika took the ice and applied it on the side of her face that was swelling due to Himari’s doing. She lowered her head, her long lashes quivering and still damp with tears.
While she had no doubt that her husband would be able to handle the matter, she was more worried that he would think less of her after what had happened tonight. Will he be disappointed in me for causing such a commotion? I ought to have shown more manners… He’ll think that it’s tomfoolery that’s unbecoming of someone from a good family.
The thought was enough to make her feel crestfallen. Dreading and looking forward to Solomon’s return in equal measures, Ichika was jerked out of her brooding at the sound of an approaching vehicle a few hours later.
She immediately rushed to the door, her heart beating loudly in her chest. Is that him? Is he back?
Upon confirming that it was indeed Solomon’s car, she quickly went out to greet him.
