Chapter 6

Mom was about to say something when my quick agreement stunned her. It seemed that was entirely out of her expectations.

Even Dad, who was ready to blow his top, was taken aback.

After all, the past me would never have agreed to a divorce even if they threatened to beat me to death.

Before they could recover from their shock, I added, "I'm still not fully recovered and don't feel like moving around—I don't think I'll go with you to apologize. Once Irvin drafts the divorce agreement, have his lawyer bring it straight to me."

With that, I pulled the covers over my head and lay down.

The soaked quilt felt suffocating, and I felt like I was struggling to catch my breath. Still, it was better than facing my parents' impending joy.

My parents knew me well enough to realize I wasn't bluffing. Though they were incredulous that I agreed so readily, they understood that I genuinely wanted a divorce.

Hence, it didn't take long before their kindness and affection surfaced.

"You silly child, you've finally come to your senses. Rest well if you're tired; you don't have to move around if you don't want to. I'll have Clara come over and take care of you. Leave all the work to her; you just relax!"

Meanwhile, Dad placed a card on my bedside table. "This card contains 100 grand. Use it as you please! If you need more, just let me know. You're still young; once you're healthy again, good days are ahead."

Every time they made me sacrifice for Julianne, they'd treat me nicely afterward.

Probably eager to share the good news with her, they left quickly after a few words of advice. Once I confirmed they were gone, I let out a sigh of relief.

Supporting myself with the headboard, I slowly climbed out of bed.

Despite the heating on full blast, I couldn't stop shivering. Frankly speaking, it was only expected after being drenched by two buckets of cold water.

I wanted to rush to the bathroom for a hot shower, but even walking was a struggle.

I used to love looking in the mirror after a shower. I would take a moment or two to enjoy admiring my body—especially my smooth, fair skin. But now, I couldn't even bear to glance at my reflection.

"Riddled with scars" would have been an understatement for my current state.

…

In Elmswood Villa, Irvin fell onto the couch, loosening his tie. His handsome face was etched with fatigue.

Julianne's fragile constitution left her restless after any disturbance. Irvin was already sleep-deprived but endured another sleepless night to keep her company. Now, he was suffering from a splitting headache.

On top of that, he hadn't had much to eat after the heavy drinking at the bar last night. He could feel an ache building up in his abdomen.

Frowning, he asked, "Emilia, where's the medication box? Can you bring me an antacid? Also, make me some porridge, something easy on the stomach. My stomach hurts."

Normally, it wouldn't take long for me to rush over and greet him when he returned home. As soon as he stepped through the main doors, I would fuss over his needs until he'd get annoyed and tell me to stop.

But today, he received no response. His thick eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his tone grew impatient. "Emilia?"

Still, he didn't get a response.

Just then, Maureen White, our maid, walked out of the kitchen. He turned to her. "Where's Emilia? Is she not home?"

Maureen hesitated, unsure how to respond.

I hadn't been home for over three months. How was Irvin only asking now? Bit late, wasn't it?

Upon learning that I hadn't returned, Irvin massaged his temples. He wondered if I hadn't turned up at all after being discharged from the hospital.

To him, we had been fighting for over three months, yet he had been generous enough to tolerate my shenanigans. Even when I threatened a divorce the day before, he hadn't given in. He couldn't believe I still hadn't realized my mistake.

Last night, I had sincerely sent him and Julianne my blessings and insisted on a divorce. Recalling this now, Irvin felt his headache intensify.

He was convinced I was making a big deal out of nothing. He didn't take my talk of divorce seriously at all.

Divorce?

He was confident I would never do such a thing. He thought I loved him too much for that.

He took out his phone and tried calling me, but he couldn't get through despite countless attempts. Every text he sent went undelivered.

He was starting to question if I blocked him.

Observing his struggle to contact me, Maureen hesitated but ultimately spoke.

"Mrs. Sawyer always came home, no matter how late. She has never stayed away from home this long before. Mr. Sawyer, have you done something to hurt her so deeply that she's refusing to come back? Could that be why she blocked you too?"

Irvin had kept the news of Julianne's and my kidnapping quiet, so few knew about it.

"Mrs. Sawyer loves you very much, Mr. Sawyer. You… should treat her better. You should comfort her and avoid breaking her heart. Mr. Sawyer, once a woman's heart gets shattered, there's no turning back time."

Maureen had worked at Elmswood Villa long enough to see how long I spent waiting for Irvin.

It was… truly pitiful.

Irvin said nothing. He stood up, picked up his coat, and walked out.

Thinking he was planning to bring me back, Maureen perked up. "Mr. Sawyer, are you going to coax her and take her home? Shall I prepare a romantic dinner for you two, or will you be dining out?"

Irvin sneered coldly. "Coax her?"

Before she could eagerly affirm, the man's icy, indifferent voice rang out again, "I don't have the time!"

He didn't believe I could stay away forever. Once I was done throwing a tantrum and realized it was pointless, surely I'd return.

…

I thought my parents' urgency and the loving relationship between Irvin and Julianne would mean I didn't have to wait long for the divorce agreement.

But I waited and waited for more than a week—yet, there was still no sign of those papers.

Frustrated, I called my lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. I pulled Irvin out of my blocked list and sent the document to him. To expedite the process, I added a note saying the terms were negotiable if we could finalize the divorce quickly.

As long as this marriage ended as soon as possible, I was willing to take some financial loss within reason.

…

After a busy week, Irvin received a message from me when he finally found the chance to sit and relax.

Before opening it, he raised an eyebrow slightly. He made no effort to hide the hint of satisfaction in his expression.

Had I realized my mistake? Had I come seeking forgiveness?

When he clicked open the message, though, what awaited him was a detailed, well-thought-out divorce agreement. His face instantly darkened.

"Such boldness!" he thought. "Did she think this wouldn't anger me?"

"What's wrong, Irvin?" asked Gideon Stone, who was sitting beside him when he noticed his sudden change in expression. He instinctively glanced over in the direction of his line of sight. Upon seeing the words "divorce agreement", he was momentarily stunned.

"Nothing," Irvin replied irritably, putting his phone away.

This time, things had gone too far.

Noting Irvin's incessant drinking, Gideon cleared his throat and began, "Irvin, sometimes women just need a way to protect their pride. If you can't make the first move, then give her an escape route. Don't force her into a corner—it's not good to let things drag on like this.

"Take the second son of the Fuller family, for instance. Remember that obedient girl who was always by his side, doing whatever he told her to? No matter how poorly he treated her, she stuck with him. He never took her seriously!

"Not too long ago, that girl got married—but it wasn't to him. He cried his eyes out at her wedding, but she didn't even bat an eye at him. If you don't coax your woman, she might leave for good after getting her heart broken."

Gideon's words reminded Irvin of Maureen's earlier remarks. His irritation deepened, and he swigged even more vigorously.

Before he got utterly wasted, he thought there might be some sense in what Gideon was saying. Women had their temperaments and sometimes needed a way out.

Hence, he had someone take him to my place.

He knew where I had been staying since my discharge. Nevertheless, he had always waited for me to come home on my own.

…

After sending Irvin the divorce agreement, I waited by my phone for his reply.

But it felt like the agreement had sunk like a stone in water. Not a single ripple greeted me for a long while, which really irked me.

I wanted no further entanglements with this rotten man.

Just as I considered calling him, the man himself stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

I was stunned.

How did they know my new door code? And why would Irvin come here inebriated instead of going home, especially when we were about to divorce?

Although I had been planning to call him, there was no point in dealing with a drunken fool. It would only drive me absolutely insane.

I didn't want him disrupting my peace.

The thought of having to disinfect my entire place after this ticked me off further. What a waste of precious time when I could be resting!

"Emilia, why are you just standing around? Come and give Irvin a hand!"

Zachary Grant, one of Irvin's close friends, looked at me as if I were an incompetent waste of space.

"No wonder Irvin never took a liking to you after all these years. Look at the state of you—who would ever? As if it weren't bad enough that you're worthless, now you don't even know how to take care of him. What's the point of your existence?"

I didn't know how meek I might have been in the past to tolerate others' humiliation. But not anymore.

I lowered my voice and shot back at him, "The point? To take your pathetic life, for one!"

Zachary was taken aback. It was clear he never expected me to say that.

It took him a moment before he stammered, "Emilia, do you know who I am? How dare you…"

Before he could finish, I snickered, "Your father, Michael Grant, treads with caution around me and even greets me when we meet. And you? An illegitimate child who means nothing to the family—what do you think you are? Why wouldn't I dare?"

"Emilia, you… You…" Zachary stammered in fury.

His status as an illegitimate child had always been a sore spot for him. He couldn't believe someone he'd always looked down upon would dare confront him like this.

"I… I… I'm Irvin's best friend!" he declared. Internally, he growled, "How dare she snark at me like this? She'd best hope Irvin wouldn't abandon her for real!"

I scoffed. I could care less about that scumbag Irvin, much less his lackeys.

Still, given my health, I refrained from saying more. Decisively, I ordered, "You have one minute to get this drunk fool out of my house. Or else, I'm calling the cops and reporting you for trespassing!"

My words shocked the entire group to their core.

Whenever they brought home a drunken Irvin in the past, I'd thank them profusely. I was eager to curry favor with them in hopes that they'd put in a good word for me. I was so desperate to get on their good side so that Irvin would come home more often.

I had never once squeaked an unpleasant thing at them. Let alone… calling Irvin a drunk fool and demanding they leave with him.

"Emilia, you've truly gone mad…" Zachary wanted to say more, but someone else grabbed him by the arm and stopped him.

"Emilia, don't mind Zach. He's just drunk and spouting nonsense. We've brought Irvin back for you; please take good care of him!"

With that, he dragged Zachary away without giving me a chance to speak.

Left with an intoxicated man on my couch, I couldn't help my expression from turning sour.

I was tempted to call the cops to have him removed, but we still needed to discuss the divorce. I had no option but to hold back, worried it might complicate things.

I decided to stomach the disgust and let him stay the night. The disinfecting would have to wait until tomorrow, after we sat down and talked.

Just as I got up to leave, the man sprawled like a dead weight on the couch suddenly opened his eyes.