Chapter 4

I did not sit idly by during the month I spent in rehab. I made sure to conduct a thorough investigation of my relationship with Irvin and Julianne.

Irvin and I had married for love—I thought I was marrying for the right reasons. I had poured everything into helping him start his business, even abandoning my studies to become a housewife so I could take better care of him.

But all along, he was just using me, pretending to care. The truth was, he was in love with Julianne.

After Julianne returned, things became clear. On our wedding anniversary, Irvin took Julianne to see the Northern Lights. On my birthday, he took her to Thogyo to enjoy the romantic spring season.

For Valentine's Day, he gave her enough red roses to fill an entire villa and a massive diamond ring. Meanwhile, I received only the free gifts he got when buying her presents.

Despite all of this, I didn't want to divorce him. After the pain, I still served him, running around taking care of him, just hoping to keep our marriage intact. Even when I was kidnapped, I sacrificed myself to protect him.

In the end, I was just his pathetic doormat. He was willing to let me die for Julianne, and after I barely escaped with my life, he ignored everything and demanded that I apologize to his precious Julianne. He was a heartless jerk with no regard for me.

As much as I couldn't accept it, and how much I hated that I had been so blinded by love, it didn't matter. Regret wouldn't change things—letting go of this rotten relationship was the only way forward.

Those two—one a total jerk, the other a manipulative gold-digger—were a perfect match. I honestly wished them a lifetime of misery together.

Irvin frowned. "Emilia, what are you talking about now? After over three months of reflection, you still haven't figured yourself out?"

His words stung. I couldn't help but laugh at how pathetic I had been. I had given everything for a man who nearly killed me, and all I got in return was him telling me I still hadn't reflected enough.

"I've reflected," I said with a forced smile. "That's why I'm here to wish you both the best."

Irvin's handsome face darkened instantly, his warm demeanor replaced with cold fury. It was clear—he knew exactly who he loved, and it wasn't me.

I didn't remember how much I used to love him, nor did I want to stay married to him anymore. However, when I met his cold, unfeeling gaze, I couldn't help but feel a sharp pain in my chest.

"Millie, don't get the wrong idea," Julianne quickly interjected, rushing toward me with a look of fake concern. "Irvin and I have nothing going on. We were just playing Truth or Dare, and I lost…"

Her eyes widened, full of fake innocence, as she rushed toward me. I instinctively stepped aside when she tried to get close. Even though I looked fine on the outside, I was still fragile inside, supported by steel plates and pins.

The doctors had warned me repeatedly not to stress my body before it fully healed, as I could cause permanent damage. I couldn't risk her "weak" jump on me.

During my hospital stay, even though my parents, brother, and husband hadn't visited me, Julianne had come often. She knew my condition better than anyone.

"Millie, do you really hate me that much?" Julianne asked, her eyes filling with tears as she collapsed on the floor. Her face was pitiful, as if she were begging for sympathy.

Irvin's expression grew darker, the anger in his eyes only deepening. "Millie, if you're not here to apologize to Lianne, then leave! Don't ever show up in front of me again!"

His voice was icy, cutting through the tension in the room. His presence and authority made his words hit harder, like they were squeezing the air out of the room.

Was this really happening? I didn't have to apologize, and I wouldn't have to see him again?

Raising my gaze, I smiled and said, "Well, lucky for me, I'm not here to apologize. I'll leave now."

With that, I turned and walked away, not caring about the sudden silence that fell over the room. Unfortunately, I had barely taken a step when someone grabbed my arm roughly. The sharp pain shot through me, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

Irvin snapped, "Emilia, do you even know what you're saying? There's a limit to how much you can act out!"

I looked at him, stunned. After everything, he still thought I was just making a scene. I didn't know if he was clueless or just plain stubborn.

"If you think I'm making a scene, want to test it?" I challenged.

"Test what?" Irvin dropped his voice, sensing that what I was about to say wasn't something he wanted to hear.

I looked him dead in the eye, my tone genuine. "Let's get a divorce, and then tell me if I'm still just acting out."

The moment the words left my mouth, the room went silent. Everyone stared at me in shock, as if I had just turned into some sort of alien. After all, the old me would never have said something like that, not even in a million years.

The silence stretched on, then quickly turned into mocking laughter.

"Emilia, if you really say that, Irvin might actually divorce you!" one of them said.

Another chimed in, "When you go to the courthouse, don't cry and beg him to take you back!"

"Irvin, don't put up with her anymore—just divorce her!"

"Yeah, Irvin, divorce her! She doesn't deserve you. There are plenty of women out there who are a hundred times better than her. She's just trash and not even worth the time. Who would want her?"

Someone mocked, "She's totally delusional. Threatening Irvin with a divorce like this."

"You've been in the hospital for three months, and Irvin didn't even come to see you. Don't you have any self-awareness?"

"Zach, stop joking around. She's a total doormat. What does she even know about self-awareness?" someone else added.

Irvin didn't like me, and neither did his friends. They treated me like an annoying parasite clinging to him with no self-respect.

With every mockery, Irvin's expression grew darker. He finally snapped, his voice cold and warning. "Emilia, stop making a scene!"

Everyone, including Irvin, assumed I was just trying to make trouble. They all knew how much I loved him. After all, I heard when he didn't come home for one night, I would panic and cry myself sick.

Divorce? They couldn't imagine it.

Jeremy knew me better than anyone and could tell I was serious. As my twin, he could see right through me.

"Emilia, what's wrong with you? He's Irvin—the love of your life!" Jeremy was stunned. He couldn't believe that I was even considering a divorce from the man I once loved so much.

I didn't respond to him. Instead, I focused on Irvin, coldly demanding, "Let go of me."

Irvin, either enraged or maybe relieved to finally be rid of me, laughed mockingly. "Alright! Fine! Emilia, you really have guts! You want a divorce? Fine, let's do it!" he said, his voice full of disdain.

Just as I thought I was about to leave with the results I wanted, Julianne suddenly threw herself at me, sobbing. "Millie, Irvin, please! Don't do this! Don't let this happen because of me…

"Millie, really, there's nothing going on between Irvin and me. We were just playing a game! Please don't let this cause a divorce between you two. If you don't believe me…"

She grabbed a fruit knife from the table and held it to her throat. "I'll prove it by dying."

The room instantly filled with a chorus of people pleading with her, urging her not to do something so rash and telling her not to listen to my so-called drama.

I just smiled coldly. "Go ahead, die. I'll believe you then."