Chapter 3

However, the phone kept ringing insistently. In the end, Benjamin picked up the call.

His expression changed instantly, and he slammed on the brakes.

Caught off guard, I was thrown forward, my forehead hitting the hard frame of the car.

He said urgently, "Emma, something's come up at the company. I need to deal with it right away. Can you head back on your own?"

I lifted my gaze to the floating comments above.

[I'm so sick of it. How long is he going to keep using the 'company emergency' excuse?]

[It's obviously Samantha. She called to say she’s been in a car accident. That’s why he’s rushing off.]

Samantha again.

A dull, persistent ache spread through my chest.

When I did not respond, Benjamin grew visibly impatient. He got out of the car and yanked open the passenger door.

"It's really urgent. Once I handle this, I can focus completely on our trip.

"Emma, be good."

He did not even notice the swelling on my forehead where I had hit it. I forced my eyes wide open, refusing to let the tears spill over, and stepped out of the car.

"Go."

The slight tremor in my voice gave me away.

However, Benjamin was already in a hurry. He slammed the door shut, started the car, and drove off without a second glance.

I watched as the car merged into traffic and disappeared. Only then did the tears finally break free, sliding down my cheeks.

Rain began to fall from the sky, as if even the heavens thought I deserved to cry…for the ten years of love we had shared.

I walked alone through the rainy night, letting the downpour hide every tear.

Benjamin did not come home that night.

He only sent a message, saying he had to leave on a sudden two-day business trip. He promised he would be back by the evening of the second day, and then he would take me traveling.

At this point, his lies left me numb.

I used those two days to clear out everything in the house that belonged to me.

The 99 love letters he had written me.

The first gift I bought for him with my part-time earnings.

The promise he wrote on the night of our wedding…

All the things I once treasured ended up in the trash.

Two days later, the house was half-empty.

I sat on the couch, divorce papers in hand. Benjamin did not show up.

Instead, I received a message from Samantha.

[Emma, let's meet.]

At the cafe, Samantha was dressed like a flamboyant peacock.

She was wearing every piece of jewelry Benjamin had bought for me at that exhibition.

There was a smug look in her eyes.

"Mr. Shaw says these suit me better than you."

I stirred my coffee, my expression calm.

"Do you know those pieces are part of our marital properties? If I wanted to, I could make you return every single one."

Her face stiffened for a moment before she forced a smile.

"Emma, what's the point of clinging to the title of Mrs. Shaw?

"When was the last time he even touched you? He's long since lost interest. If you had any self-awareness, you'd step aside for me."

I looked at her and smiled faintly.

"Sure. I'll step aside. Go and tell Benjamin yourself. I'll wait here for him to sign the divorce papers. Do you dare to do that?"

She fell silent again.

Of course, she did not dare. She only had the courage to provoke me behind his back.

She was still too young, so transparent that anyone could see right through her. Yet, Benjamin liked exactly that: her youth, her body.

I picked up my bag and turned to leave, offering her one final piece of advice.

"No one stays young forever. There will always be someone younger. Since you've already traded your body, you might as well get something worthwhile out of him instead of wasting your time picking fights with me."

The comments exploded in approval.

[Emma is absolutely right. A true female lead doesn't stoop to competing over men.]

[Emma, just leave already! We're all waiting for Benjamin's regret arc!]

When I got home, I placed the signed divorce papers on the table.

Then, I took my packed suitcase and called a cab straight to the airport.

Benjamin…

Our ten years…

Goodbye.