Ch2 - Let’s divorce

Emily couldn’t stand there another second. She turned to leave—but a hand clamped down hard on her arm.

She immediately tried to yank free, but couldn’t. She spun around, eyes bloodshot, and snapped, “Let go of me!”

Aaron’s grip only tightened, “STOP IT. This is a workplace!”

Emily gritted her teeth, her voice sharp and deliberate, “Oh? Did you remember this is a workplace when you were all over her in here?”

She stared at him down, unafraid.

Aaron’s expression started to crack under the weight of her words. His mouth twitched—then twisted with anger.

“YOU’re being completely irrational! When did you turn into this?”

Ha.

Emily let out a cold scoff. Anger wasn’t even the loudest thing inside her anymore—just this overwhelming numbness. So many things she could say, and yet none of them mattered.

Her eyes dropped to his hand still gripping her arm, tight and unkind.

No gentleness. No care. Just pain.

But even that couldn’t compare to how much her heart hurt.

He could speak to that woman like she was made of glass—and treat his wife like she was a burden.

Aaron had always been strong-willed. Once he dug his heels in, nobody could change his mind.

She knew if she fought him physically, she'd only end up hurting herself. So she gave up struggling.

Still scowling, Aaron pulled out his phone and barked into it, “Leo, get up here. Now.”

The tension in the room was thick and strange. Even Amelia didn’t dare make a sound—Nobody liked Aaron when he was pissed.

Emily just stared at him. That quiet fury inside her kept growing, spreading like wildfire.

In less than two minutes, his assistant Leo appeared at the door, “Sir, what can I do?”

“Take my wife home. If she disappears, you’re responsible.” His voice was icy and sharp—clearly meant for Emily to hear.

The message was loud and clear: Don’t even think about vanishing. You won’t like the consequences.

Leo stepped over respectfully, and only then did Aaron finally let go of her.

“This way, ma’am.”

Emily rubbed at her sore arm, her eyes dull, and followed Leo out.

They got into an all-black car. Leo sat up front, instructing the driver to head back to the Lopez home.

Outside, the sky had turned a dull gray, dimming the city’s sharp edges. Then the rain came, light at first, then harder, splashing sideways across the windows. Emily stared at the droplets trickling down the glass, slowly joining into puddles.

When did you become like this? Aaron had asked her.

Yeah… when did she become like this?

Once upon a time, she’d graduated top of her class with honors in design. She was sharp. Confidence. Admired. Guys had lined up to chase her. And now? She was just a "crazy wife" in her husband’s eyes.

Her first job had been at his company. That’s where they met—a storybook romance. They fell in love fast and hard. He had even helped her family, pulled them out of a tough time without a second thought.

Back then, she truly believed she was the luckiest woman in the world.

He proposed quickly. Said he didn’t want her working too hard.

“I’ll take care of the money,” he’d said, “You just take care of our home.”

Fresh out of college and drunk on love, she agreed. She left her job, poured everything into building a life with him.

And when she couldn’t get pregnant, she cried in front of him, apologizing over and over. He’d hugged her and whispered,

“Don’t worry. We’ll take our time.”

And now, when that long-awaited baby finally arrived…it was suddenly the wrong time?

She gently wiped away a tear with the tip of her finger, then pressed her hand over her belly. I’m sorry, she whispered silently. Mommy’s so, so sorry. I don’t know what to do anymore.

The car kept moving forward, but her thoughts spun in every direction.

“We’re here, ma’am.”

Leo got out and respectfully opened the back door for her. His expression was calm and unreadable.

Leo had only started working for Aaron after they got married. He’d never seen them fight like this before—But with how much the boss usually doted on her, he figured they’d patch things up in a day or two.

Emily had always been kind to them. Never once acted entitled.

After walking her back to the villa, Leo stepped aside to make a call and report to his boss.

It had only been a few hours since Emily woke up that morning—but it felt like a whole lifetime had passed.

“Ma’am, would you like something to eat?” The maid asked.

“I’m good. I need to rest. Don’t call me.” Her voice was weak, barely there.

She dragged her tired body upstairs.

She didn’t want to think. About anything. So many emotions were crashing down all at once, she could barely breathe.

Maybe it was the pregnancy fatigue or maybe she was just that broken.

Either way—she cried herself to sleep.

The sun had gone down, and the already gloomy sky turned pitch black.

A sleek business car pulled into the driveway of the villa. Aaron stepped through the front door, shrugging off his suit jacket. A maid took it from him. As he loosened his tie, he asked casually,

"Where’s my wife?"

“She went straight to bed when she got home.”

Aaron frowned. “She’s still sleeping?”

Hearing confirmation, his brows furrowed deeper, “No one thought to wake her?”

There was a trace of annoyance in his voice— It was already 8pm. and she hadn’t even eaten?

“She said she didn’t want to be disturbed,” the maid replied honestly, now holding his tie.

“Fine. I’ll go check on her. Have the kitchen prepare something light.”

Aaron hadn’t expected her to be this upset—to the point of skipping dinner just to make a point.

But when he opened the bedroom door, he was met with darkness. Emily always left a bedside lamp on when she slept.

Tonight, not even a flicker.

He walked quietly to the bed and switched on the lamp by her side.

She was still asleep—curled up tight, completely still. The soft amber light fell on her cheeks, and that’s when Aaron saw it—the dried tear streaks on her face.

He froze. Then slowly sat down beside her, brushing her face gently with the back of his hand.

His rough fingers made her skin itch faintly. Emily stirred. Then slowly opened her eyes.

She’d been sleeping in the same position for too long. As soon as she blinked herself awake, she felt a deep ache in her lower back. She winced and reached for it, brows knitting from the pain.

“You’re awake?” A concerned voice reached her ears. “Where does it hurt? I’ll help you rub it out.”

Only then did Emily realize who was beside her. She instinctively shoved his hand away.

“GET OFF ME.”

She looked up to see Aaron stiffen slightly—his eyes full of tenderness, like some perfect, caring husband.

As if he hadn’t just been in a woman’s arms that afternoon.

Aaron grabbed both her wrists, “You’re still mad, huh? Then hit me. Go ahead.”

He picked up her hands and pressed them against his chest, “Hit me until you’re not mad anymore.”

Emily’s lips parted slightly, then curled into a bitter, disbelieving smile.

Her hands were caught, so she let them fall against his chest a few times before pulling back abruptly, “ARE you done being insane?”

Her voice was quiet—The kind of quiet right before a storm tears the sky apart.

Aaron took a deep breath, “What will it take for you to stop being mad at me?”

“You think this is just some small mistake?” Emily stared at him like she couldn’t believe how ridiculous he was being.

“You think all you have to do is say sorry and I’ll just… forgive you?”

If he’d just told her the truth—told her straight up he wanted someone else, that he didn’t want her anymore—it would’ve been less disgusting than this fake act of remorse.

He was so much WORSE than she ever imagined.

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose, “If it makes you feel better, I’ll make sure Amelia never sets foot in the office again.”

That’s what he thought this was about?

“You really think she’s the problem here?” Emily bit down on her lower lip, the tremble giving her away.

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay steady—then looked him dead in the eye.

“Let’s divorce.”