Lily's POV"You're a disappointment and a failure as both a mother and a wife!" My dad yelled. "How can you sit there and lose both your husband AND your daughter? Do you have any idea how this will cripple us?!""I told you not to argue with Victor, and what do you do? Argue with him anyway! You think that was supposed to get you back in his good graces?" My mom scoffed. "Honestly, I think you want to see us on the streets! You want to see us suffer!""Especially now that he wants to give ALL of his assets to the ex-wife?" He balled his hands into fists as he paced around the room. "Are you fucking proud of yourself? Lily?"It shouldn't have come to a surprise to me that Victor was trying to sell his company assets over to Emelia. Given everything that happened with the impending divorce and Violet choosing him over me, I was starting to become numb to it all.Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, they did.Honestly? I barely had the strength to continue on. Even for the sake
Emelia's POVI turned off the flatscreen and sat in silence for a few minutes as I tried to gather my thoughts. It was going to be hard to navigate through this since the media had already gotten a hold of it.I didn't even really want to think about the financial panic the shareholders were currently in. Everyone was being blindsided by this decision!"Miss Emelia…?" Renee spoke up. "Are you okay?"I sighed. "I don't even know at this point.""I'm sorry. It seems that the universe isn't finished throwing curveballs at you.""I wish it was, because I'm not exactly the sporty type."That got a chuckle out of Renee. "So, do you have any ideas on how you plan to go about this?""As much as I don't want to do it… I think I may have to release my own public statement in response. The public at least needs to know that this decision was of Victor's own volition, and that I had no say-so, much less the desire, to actually go through with his proposal.""I think it may be a good idea. It may s
Emelia's POV"No, Mason." I stated firmly. "I can't… I won't marry you."Surprisingly, he was calm. His gaze may have lowered slightly in disappointment, but it was almost like he had anticipated me rejecting him. "Well… I can't say that I was confident in my proposal working, but I at least wanted to try. I at least had to tell you how I really felt.""If circumstances were different, you know, I *might* have said otherwise.""I know, I know. It's just…" He sighed. "I don't know. I envisioned a much different life for us than this. You, at my side; thriving, happy, and loved. I wouldn't have stopped you from working, of course. You were never the stay-at-home type.""No, I wasn't." I replied curtly."Please don't be so short with me, Em. I know you better than that. You have something you want to say to me, too.""What gave you that impression?""You came."I drew in a deep breath and collected the words I wanted to say. The lump that formed in my throat suddenly made it hard for me t
Emelia's POVI watched Lily's face shift through various different emotions—confusion, sadness, anger, denial. Still, I had no sympathy for her. Manipulation and gaslighting would only get her but so far. If anything, I was happy that she was beginning to understand true accountability.Although, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the little girl. Even to a two-year old, it was obvious that she wasn't loved or valued by her own mom.I was happy that she seemed to have a good relationship with Victor, at least. Hopefully, his love would be enough for her."I-is that what you want, Violet?" Lily looked past me and up at Violet still. "D-do you want mommy to go away?"I looked behind me to see that the little girl hadn't moved her position. She kept her head down and against Victor's shoulder as she clung to him like she was afraid of being ripped from his embrace.I then looked back at Lily who staggered back like she'd been physically hit. Her face was void of all color and for once, sh
Emelia's POVIt was like they didn't hear me correctly, didn't believe me, or probably a mixture of both. Definitely the latter if I had to guess.The two stared at me like I was crazy; like I was a chicken running around with my head cut off. It was eerie to see how much alike they were in that instance. I suppose the apple really doesn't fall too far from the tree."I don't believe you…" Lily's voice was low and threaded with doubt. "So, those other times I saw you in the store… You weren't just some fill-in manager or an employee… You were—""I AM the CEO." I interjected. "I'm surprised it took you so long to figure it out, but yes, The Collective is mine."Lily shook her head in protest. "No, no! How is any of this possible?! You didn't work for that!""Don't project your shortcomings onto me. Just because you're used to handouts doesn't mean that everyone else needs them.""Even when you were working for Victor's company you relied on your connection as his WIFE to get in!"I cou
Victor's POV"Please, don't do anything rash, Victor!" Lily pulled on my arm. "She only came to check up on me! I told her I was coming here to talk to you, and she's just being a good mom. You understand, don't you?""A good mother? That's debatable."The woman let out a hmph. "Normally, I'd give you a taste of your medicine, but I'm not here to argue with you. In fact, I'm here to help plead Lily's case.""I won't even listen to Lily plead her own case. What makes you think I'll listen to you?""Because I'm not a heartless monster. Even though I think she can do better than someone who clearly favors the ex-wife, Lily loves and cares for you deeply. Surely, as a father yourself, you understand that the happiness of your children comes first, do it not?"I raised a brow. "Playing the parent card, are we? Do you think that's supposed to soften my heart?""I'm merely putting things into perspective. Besides, do you honestly believe that a child should grow up in a single-parent home? Sa