My husband Fred had a "big surprise" for my birthday - a divorce settlement. "Emily, sign it. The two-year contract marriage is over. Fred said calmly. "But, Fred, I..." I began, trying to explain how I really felt, the words trembling out of my mouth. "You knew the deal, Emily," he interrupted. Yes, it was true. Our agreed deadline had passed. I loved Fred with all my heart. What he didn't know was that I had known him for a long time. I hid my identity as a billionaire's daughter and married him to be a good wife. I thought 2 years of marriage would win his love. But when his first love, Nancy, returned, it was all over. Heartbroken, it's time to say goodbye. When I decide to forget him and return to my original life, Fred became increasingly strange, even begging me to love him again. "But I don't love you anymore." I said indifferently. "It's my turn to love you." Fred begged.
Lihat lebih banyakEmily’s POV
Fred proposed divorce. I knew this day would come sooner or later. But I never expected it to happen today, nor did I expect him to be so resolute with his decision. He left divorce papers with his signature on the table, the black ink glaring back at me.
The whole thing was difficult for me to wrap my head around. I loved Fred with all my heart! If it were up to me, we would still be together. I didn’t want the separation and … I had married for love.
Fred was annoyed by my hesitation, his frustration apparent like an angry child who can’t get his own way.
“What did he expect?” I thought but didn’t dare to say out loud. Did he think I’d be okay with this whole situation, smile, and agree?
“But, Fred, I…” I began, trying to explain how I really felt, the words trembling out of my mouth.
“You knew the deal, Emily,” he interrupted, “we both agreed from the start that our marriage would only last two years,” Fred shot back, a hint of embarrassment as the words left his mouth.
Yes, it was true. Our agreed deadline was up, and he hadn’t forgotten. I had hoped it was just a phase; that these past two years together would have changed his mind.
“I know Fred, I know…” I replied, trying my best to hold back tears.
“Listen, Emily. It’s not that I don’t love you. I do, I’m just not in love with you.” Fred began. “Right from the start I’ve treated you like family, but you’ve always known the way I feel about Nancy. She’s returning home today. I’ve promised her a home together.” He continued, his words cutting me like a sharp kitchen knife.
Hearing all of this, my body began to tremble, and the only thing I could muster was an “I see.”
Despite our situation, Fred was raised well, and with good morals. Maybe that’s why I fell for him.
I knew Fred well enough to know he would only be with Nancy as a single man. The reason for our divorce very clear to me.
“You’ll be more than compensated. I would never leave you with nothing, Emily,” Fred uttered.
“I don’t want your money, Fred, how many times must I say it?” I answered. What I so desperately needed was his love. That was all.
It wasn’t his money nor property I was after. I had enough of my own, my family inheritance digging much deeper into pockets than his — albeit Fred never knew anything about this.
I was thankful then that I had never shared any of this information with him. He had no idea about the rich upbringing I came from…
As much as I adored my husband, I knew Nancy was his first, true love. I had always known deep down it was his grandfather who pushed our marriage. The head of the Walker family. More of a contract to him, than anything.
Unfortunately, our marriage never began with love, well, true love at least.
I’d had a crush on Fred for three years. We were hitched within two. I’d hoped all this time to win his heart, but I failed us both.
Fred looked at me silently. His silence told me everything I needed to know.
Heartbroken and sighing deeply, I picked up a Lamy fountain pen lying on the table nearby. Staring down at the page, the words seemed to jumble into one. Along the dotted line, I signed my name for the last time as ‘Emily Walker.’
Piercing the silence, Fred’s iPhone rang, snapping me back into this unwanted reality, and Nancy’s voice coming from it immediately. It was hard to forget her high-pitched tone.
Hearing flicks of their conversation, Nancy was indeed home from a vacation in Europe and hoped that Fred would pick her up from the airport.
“Emily, something has come up.” He was out the front door in a second.
It was now evening and I was packing my suitcases. I heard the front door key turn, and Fred walked in…with Nancy.
“The audacity!” I screamed internally but said nothing. My pride wouldn’t let Nancy have the upper hand on this one, let alone let her know the pain they had caused me.
We had just signed the divorce papers a couple of hours ago. I can’t believe he would have the nerve to bring her home.
He had his arms around her waist, and she was leaning back into his chest. He murmured something into her ear.
I tried my best not to let their affection hurt me.
“Fred!” Nancy shrilled. “I hardly think it’s an appropriate time, darling. You’re not divorced, yet.”
“I’m sure Emily wouldn’t mind.” he stuttered back sheepishly.
I couldn’t take much more of their lovey-dovey canoodling. It was too painful. He’s never shown me even half the affection — one that I had longed for so deeply night after night.
“I’m going upstairs, Fred. I suggest you don’t follow.” I said sharply. Not that you would, anyway.
I still had another suitcase to pack and this would help take my mind off of things. As I retreated to the bedroom, I swore I heard them snicker. Did they really think I would just be okay?
It was nearing 7pm when I heard the front doorbell chime. Grabbing my suitcases and leather bag, I walked toward the living room.
I wanted to at least say my final goodbyes to Fred, but no one was in the living room where I had last left them. Their giggles floated down the carpeted staircase, signaling it was coming from the guest room.
“Screw that, and them,” I muttered, “I’m done with this all.” God only knew what they were getting up to by now, but I had my suspicions. They were hardly able to keep their hands off each other in front of me.
“I bet their clothes are strewn all over the parquet floors by now. In my own house. A little respect is all I wanted.” But it was no longer my responsibility. With that, I grabbed my bags and waltzed out the door.
A row of Rolls-Royce were waiting outside, bodyguards standing next to the Black Diamond rides.
“Good evening, Miss Stewart.” One of the men greeted me using my maiden name.
A chauffeur took my suitcases from me and opened the front door. He handed me a Mulberry silk cape to keep me warm. I got into the car, a tear rolling down my cheek.
“Let’s go,” I whispered softly.
“Welcome home, my baby sister, and of course, happy birthday!” I had hardly noticed Richard, my eldest brother, sitting in the leather seat next to me. I had never been more happy to see him!
“Oh, Richard!” I cried. “Today has been one of the worst of my life. I’m so glad you’re here,” leaning into his shoulder. “I keep hoping it’s all a nightmare!”
It hit me then like a gut blow to the stomach during a boxing match…Fred had divorced me…on my 27th birthday. With all the ongoing drama today I had completely forgotten. Did Fred remember? I couldn’t help but think, and the emotions washed over me again.
My head started to spin as if I was on a high-speed roller coaster.
“Fred doesn't deserve you! Forget about him, Em,” came another voice, this time from my other brother Leon, “We’ve prepared a banquet for you, come, let’s go. Mother and Father are waiting.”
As we left, my phone suddenly vibrated. It was a text from Nancy, shaking me to my core.
“Emily. I just wanted to say thank you. You’re a failure, and Fred is finally mine.”Emily’s POVThe following day, stylists surrounded me, handing me one dress after the next. Great taste was not something I lacked — I inherited that from my mother. We finally decided on the perfect dress and moved along to the jewelry selection. The stylist handed me one diamond-encrusted necklace after another, but none of the overtly flashy pieces were my style. Preferring more understated pieces, I went with a beautifully elegant yet rare ruby. Sitting in the chair as the make-up artist began to work her magic, and the hairstylist tumbled one curl over the next with a curling iron, I glimpsed myself in the mirror. It wasn’t too often I got dressed up like this. I had endured plenty of fancy-dress evenings growing up and it wasn’t really my thing. But it did feel good to get dolled up every once in a while. Richard and Leon stood behind me, and with the final flick of mascara, the make-up artist stood back to marvel at her work. “Oh, Emily. You look simply stunning, my dear s
Emily’s POVReturning home, my maid handed me an invitation as I hung up my coat in the entrance foyer. She informed me that the butler of the Walker Family had hand-delivered the invitation in person that afternoon. To my surprise, the date had been brought forward. It was originally in a week. “Tomorrow?” I asked no one in particular, but my maid answered for me, who had received strict instructions from the Walker’s butler. That meant the divorce process would be postponed again…“Yes, Miss. Emily. Well, at least, that’s what I was told,” she informed me. ‘Did he say anything else?” “He said that Mr. Walker Senior always feels sorry for you. So, he wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to an outstanding young man.” There were no words. The way this family likes to insert themselves into my personal business is outrageous. But I knew Fred Senior was trying to be kind; doing it out of the goodness of his heart to make up for his grandson’s behavior. Even if he had a s
Emily’s POV“Did you hear that, Fred?” I asked the caller.“But, but…How? How could it be?” Nancy murmured, before pouncing on me to grab my phone out of my hand. I had released my grip against her and she was no longer pressed against the car door. But I was faster than her and side-stepped out of the way. Instead, I asked “Fred” his thoughts after hearing everything that Nancy admitted to. Nancy was frightened as the familiar-sounding voice echoed through the phone. “Yes, Emily, I heard it all. She’s unforgivable, and I now know the truth,” and with that, the caller hung up the phone. In an instant, Nancy’s face turned pale. She knew she had been caught. Before either of us had time to process what just happened, a staff member came out of the shop and headed toward us, asking us if we needed any help. I wasn’t surprised, we had caused a huge stir, and I jumped in before Nancy could respond. “Ah, yes, could you help me fill up with gasoline, please?” I asked, pointing to my arm
Emily’s POVIt all felt like slow motion. Seeing the car speed toward me…The bright lights peering me down… But my instincts kicked in and as the car neared my body, I flung out my arms in an aid to protect myself from the oncoming danger. However, no pain appeared, and instead, the sound of screeching brakes filled my ears. Instead of speeding off, the sound of the engine rapidly decelerated, and I slowly opened my eyes. The Audi had stopped less than a meter away from me, and the female driver was panting behind the steering wheel. I could hear the heavy breathing even from here. Finally close enough to identify the person in the car; it was Nancy! Her face was full of hatred, glaring at me like I was the worst kind of human being on this planet. As evil as she was, she didn’t dare to kill a person — I hoped. Leaping forward before she had time to zoom off, I ripped open the car door handle, demanding she get out of the vehicle. “Out, now! Come and face me Nancy, and stop hidi
Emily’s POVMy car was parked in the outside lot and I quickly pulled out my keys. Fastening my seatbelt and preparing to drive home, a sudden jab came at my door. Fred had chased after me and was grabbing the door handle with one hand and tapping on my window with the other. His face was red. “Em, please, get out of the car. Let’s talk and resolve this…” he asked me through the glass. I rolled down my window halfway, just enough so he could hear me properly. “Fred, how many times do I need to repeat myself? I sound like a stuck record at this point. Please, stop bothering me,” I pleaded with Fred. “Again, I just want to know why you blocked my number. You never answered my question,” he continued again with the insistent probing. Ignoring his question, Fred raised his eyebrows at me, as if demanding an answer. “Tomorrow at 2 pm,” I stated. “Huh? What?” Fred asked, looking more confused than ever. “I want to get the divorce process right this time, this whole thing is dragging
Emily’s POVIt seemed like my question was a hard one for Fred to answer…Perhaps there was some truth to it that he didn’t want to admit. Trying his best to answer, he still fumbled over my direct inquiry. Opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish out of water, he failed to speak. My patience was fading, but his ringing phone broke the silence. Reaching for his phone in his pocket, he peered down and his body froze. I looked down at the same time without realizing, and saw Nancy’s name pop up; the devil herself. Interrupting Fred and I, it was as if she were laughing at me from the other side. Fred hesitated to answer, so I helped him make the decision. “Wait!” Fred hollered, but it was too late. Snatching the phone from his hand with my uninjured one, I took the initiative and swiped open the call, immediately pressing the speaker button. There you go, decision made. Nancy’s sickly sweet voice cooed down the line. Fred wasn’t impressed with my impulsiveness, but there was
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