The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 41: Ruined Feelings

Chapter 41: Ruined Feelings

The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over Logan’s face. He sat with his arms over his knees, staring at the flames, lost in thought. Jean peeked at him from beneath the coat he’d given her.

The silence between them wasn’t sharp anymore... it felt heavy, as if it carried too much weight; neither of them had the strength to lift.

Then Logan spoke.

"You know... when I was in university... I never told my parents about the bullying."

Jean didn’t respond, but she didn’t look away either.

"They loved me too much. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them that their son was being shoved into lockers, or having his clothes torn up, or getting humiliated in front of everyone." His voice wasn’t bitter... it was calm, like someone recalling old bruises that still ached in the rain.

Jean watched him closely, uncertain if she should say anything. But he kept talking.

"My mom used to send packages every month. Letters, snacks, sweaters she knit even though I didn’t ask for them. If she ever knew what I was going through..." He paused. "She would’ve been destroyed."

Jean swallowed. Something unfamiliar twisted in her chest.

"I’m not even worried about myself being stuck here," Logan continued. "I’m worried about her. My mom... she’ll probably starve herself. She used to say if anything happened to me, her heart would stop too."

Jean blinked, almost as if she hadn’t heard him right. "What?"

He finally turned to look at her. "She’s sensitive. But strong. That’s the worst part. She’d never give up looking for me, even if it killed her."

Jean’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her throat tightened.

"Do parents even... do that?" she finally asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Logan frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Jean looked away. "Nothing. Forget it."

"No, Jean. Say it."

She hesitated. "It just sounds... unreal. That kind of love. That someone would worry themselves sick over you."

He watched her carefully now. "You’re saying your parents wouldn’t?"

Jean gave a small, hollow laugh. "My parents wouldn’t even know if I was gone. Or maybe they’d know and pretend not to."

Logan’s heart sank a little. She said it with such certainty, it wasn’t even bitter. It was just... fact.

Jean shifted the coat around her. "I think you’re lucky, Logan. Even if you never felt like it."

They sat quietly again. The fire, though small, burned a little warmer.

For once, neither of them wanted to be the last one to speak.

Nightfall draped the island in stillness. The only sounds were the gentle hiss of the waves and the crackle of the fading fire.

Logan sat with his back against a rock, arms folded, eyes half-lidded. Jean had curled up on the opposite side, pretending to be asleep.

She wasn’t.

Neither was he.

Logan’s gaze, heavy but quiet, shifted toward her. Her breathing had evened out, but he knew she wasn’t truly resting. The flicker of her lashes gave it away. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look away.

But his thoughts betrayed him.

"Why do you still haunt me, Jean Adams?" he muttered under his breath, so low he wasn’t sure if he said it aloud or in his head. "You act like I ruined you, but you ruined me first."

Jean’s fingers twitched.

She heard him.

But she stayed still. She had no strength left for another fight. Not tonight.

The fire dimmed into embers.

______________________________

By the next morning, something was off. Logan’s stomach felt twisted, not just with emotion, but emptiness. They hadn’t eaten properly in almost two days. He went out anyway, determined to find something edible... anything.

Jean sat on the sand, knees drawn up. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when Logan returned... hands empty, face grim.

"No fish. Nothing." He dropped beside her with a sigh. "The tide’s low and I don’t see any fruit-bearing trees around. We might need to move inland."

Jean didn’t answer.

He turned his head, finally noticing how pale she looked. Her lips were dry, her eyes slightly unfocused.

"Adams?" he asked, concerned despite himself.

"I’m fine," she whispered.

She wasn’t.

Logan reached out instinctively but she pulled away. "Don’t," she said weakly.

"This isn’t about us right now," he said sharply. "You look like you’re going to faint."

"I said I’m fine," she bit back, but even her anger had no strength.

He looked up at the sky, frustrated. "Damn it."

His next move was automatic... he picked her up. She didn’t resist this time. Her head rested limply against his shoulder.

They were both running out of time.

The jungle air was thicker. Humid, heavy, buzzing with unseen insects. Logan’s shirt clung to his back as he pushed through the undergrowth, carrying Jean’s barely-conscious body.

"Just hang in there, Adams," he muttered, brushing a low-hanging branch aside with one hand while balancing her weight with the other.

She didn’t respond.

He was starting to panic.

Then, finally... a break in the foliage. A shallow stream glittered ahead, winding through rocks and wild greenery. Logan rushed to it, dropping to his knees as he gently laid Jean down beside the water.

"Hey," he whispered, cupping water in his hands and bringing it to her lips. "Drink. Come on, Jean."

It took a moment, but her lips parted slightly. He coaxed the water into her mouth slowly, careful not to spill too much.

When she blinked, he almost sagged in relief.

"...Where are we?" she rasped.

"I carried you. You nearly passed out," Logan said, dabbing some water onto her forehead. "We’ve got to find food soon. But first, you need to cool down."

Jean didn’t reply, but the fog in her eyes was lifting.

That’s when Logan saw it. Just beyond the stream, nestled between two rocks... bright orange berries hanging from a low bush.

He narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t going to risk anything poisonous.

But then he remembered something Jean once said in passing... "Bright orange berries, shaped like teardrops? That’s mountain flame fruit. Bitter, but edible."

He recognized the shape.

He hesitated.

Then grabbed a few, brought them over, and knelt beside her. "You’re the one who knows if these are safe. Tell me this looks familiar."

Jean squinted, then nodded weakly. "Yeah. They’re edible. Eat only a few or it’ll upset your stomach."

Logan gave her the smallest one. "Then you go first."

She cracked the tiniest smirk. "If I die, at least you’ll be free from me."

He didn’t laugh. "Shut up and chew."

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