CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

Ember came back to an empty house, with only the maids and guards as her companions.

But she didn’t care.

That night, Ryker didn’t come back home either. Ember still didn’t care. In the past, she would have called him and sent him lots of flirty messages. But what happened a few days ago was enough to reset her love-struck brain.

Of course, he never stayed out late before, and he rarely traveled for business meetings. So Ember just knew he was with his sweetheart.

True to her words, the internet was buzzing with news of the small-time actress and the youngest, handsome Alpha Ryker.

The hashtags read:

The small-time beautiful actress and handsome Alpha Ryker were spotted leaving the hospital.

Beautiful actress Linda finally reunited with her heartbeat.

Alpha Ryker throws his childhood sweetheart a welcome party.

Alpha Ryker and his sweetheart.

Ember was nearly frustrated. It seemed wherever she went online, they were there. They were literally everywhere.

It felt as though the little Lotus had intentionally paid people to flood the media.

Frustrated, she turned to drinking. And in those five days, as she drank endlessly, any remaining feelings she had for Ryker completely died.

Four more days passed, and he still didn’t come back.

On the fifth day, Ember freshened up to go out to a club with her friends. She was scrolling through the male models her friend had sent her when he finally returned.

He was dressed in a grey suit—one Ember had already seen online after Linda posted that she bought it for him.

He looked hot.

But Ember wasn’t interested in his hotness anymore.

After all, trash would always be trash.

Ryker looked at the woman who was nonchalantly pressing her phone, even though she clearly knew he was back.

In the past, she would have rushed down, given him a peck, and flirted with him throughout the day. But now Ember was quiet—too quiet. It tugged at him.

It wasn’t in her nature.

She wasn’t a quiet girl. She was wild and free, just like the girl he met on the first day they met.

He moved to walk toward her, but the ringing of his phone stopped him.

The panicked voice of his personal guard came urgently.

“Alpha, Miss Linda cut her wrists. She’s currently in the hospital.”

Ryker immediately hurried toward the door, but halfway there, he paused.

He turned back to look at Ember, and at that moment, Ember was also staring at his back.

Their eyes met.

The sadness he saw in her eyes made his heart ache painfully. But Linda needed him now.

Then Ember smiled before looking down at her phone nonchalantly.

Ryker made up his mind to attend to Linda first. After all, she was his first love, his first priority—and she was in danger.

Ember could always be appeased with gifts and a little explanation.

With that thought, he drove off roughly to the hospital.

Ember scoffed before changing into her loveliest, sexiest clothes.

Immediately, she called her wildest friend, Pearl, and headed straight for the most exclusive private club in town.

Swaying to the music, Pearl leaned close, shouting into her ear.

“Ember, are you really divorcing Ryker? But you love him so much, don’t you?”

Ember laughed, dancing wholeheartedly.

“Pearl, what’s the promise we made to each other?”

After a moment’s thought, Pearl replied,

“Never let a man look down on us twice.”

Ember curved her lips into a bright smile, though a hint of sadness lingered at the edges.

“Good. I let him look down on me too many times. I’m not planning to do so for an eternity.”

Pearl jumped in excitement.

“Yes! That’s my bestie. Cheers to more good wine and handsome guys!”

“Cheers,” Ember replied heartily.

The music was electrifying, the lights hypnotizing, and the dancing bodies mesmerizing.

Ember hadn’t felt this free in a very long time.

She pulled Pearl onto the dance floor and danced to her heart’s delight.

They drank as much as they wanted and even hired a few top male escorts to accompany them.

Just as Ember reached out her hand—moments before her fingertips could touch one sculpted torso—a hand with distinct knuckles shot out and grabbed her wrist.

She turned with a frown, ready to lash out at the intruder.

But she froze.

Ember stared at Ryker in shock, meeting his cold, icy gaze.

How could he be here?

Wasn’t he with his sweetheart at the hospital?

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

Ryker ignored her, carrying her out as he spoke in a voice so cold it could freeze air.

“Didn’t I say that whatever you do, I’ll go along with it—but you’re not allowed to come to places like this and hire male models!”

“What right do you have to control me? Who do you think you are?” Ember snapped.

“I’m your husband.”

“Husband?” Ember echoed, as if she’d just heard the most ridiculous joke.

“A husband who spends days with another woman!”

Ryker paused, silent for a few seconds before speaking in a low voice.

“Linda is my childhood sweetheart. But you, Ember, are my wife—and always will be.”

Childhood sweetheart?

Wife?

Furious, Ember kicked and struggled, but once they reached the house, it was fruitless. Ryker shoved her into the waiting Rolls-Royce.

She tried to open the other door to jump out, but Ryker pulled her back, his strong arms pinning her in place.

“Stop it, okay?” he said, a hint of weariness in his voice. “Be good.”

The car began moving.

Ember knew struggling was pointless, so she turned her head to stare out the window, refusing to look at him.

The drive home was suffocatingly calm.

Ryker wasn’t used to Ember’s silence—she had always been wild.

Was it because he didn’t let her take those male escorts?

The thought clouded his face with anger.

“Ember, why did you go to a club when I clearly said no?”

She turned to him with a mocking smile.

“What? You can stay with another woman, but I can’t?”

“Ember!”

“What?! You stayed away for five days with a woman, and now you’re here trying to act righteous, Mr. Ryker. How black is exactly your face?."