Chapter 6

By the time Emily left the hospital and returned to the hotel, she was exhausted. Kathy helped her settle onto the bed before bringing her a glass of water.

“Slowly,” she said. “The doctor said you need to rest.”

Emily took the glass and nodded. Kathy stayed close, making sure she ate something before allowing her to rest. She fussed over her constantly, adjusting the pillows, bringing her food and reminding her not to get up unnecessarily.

Emily didn't complain. She knew Kathy was only worried about her. Later that afternoon, Emily's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and immediately frowned. It was Aunt Linda. Emily almost ignored the call.

She had never been particularly close to Linda. Her aunt had always been more interested in the Carter family's reputation and business than in Emily herself. The phone continued ringing. With a sigh, Emily answered.

“What?”

“Is that how you answer your aunt now?” Her aunt's stern voice came from the other end.

Emily leaned back against the headboard. “What do you want?”

Linda scoffed, and Emily could already imagine her aunt's face twisting from where she sat. “What do I want? I want to know what kind of madness you have gotten yourself into.”

Emily said nothing.

Linda continued talking in her harsh tone, “You actually went ahead and destroyed your marriage?”

“I don't want to discuss it.”

“Of course you don't. You never want to discuss anything when you've already made a mess.” Aunt Linda scoffed again.

Emily's eyes narrowed. Linda continued before she could respond.

“Do you have any idea what you've done to this family? The Carter business is already struggling, and instead of thinking about your family, you're busy throwing away the marriage that was supposed to save us.”

Emily's grip tightened around her phone and she sighed. “So this is about the company.”

“What else should it be about?” Linda snapped. “Do you think your grandfather built that business for you to destroy it because of your childish feelings?”

“My marriage has nothing to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with this family!”

“No. It doesn't.”

“You ungrateful girl.” Aunt Linda spat.

Emily's jaw tightened. “You better watch your mouth.”

Linda laughed bitterly. “Look at you. Suddenly you have a voice.”

“I've always had one.”

“You should have used it to protect your marriage instead of ruining it.”

Emily stared at the wall. She wasn't going to explain herself, not to Linda, not to anyone.

She had already made her decision. “I've made my decision.”

“You don't get to make decisions that affect everyone.”

“I do when it concerns my life.”

“You're coming back.”

Emily frowned. “No.”

“What did you say?”

“I said no.”

Linda's voice became harsher. “Send me your location.”

“Why?”

“So I can come and get you.”

Emily almost laughed. “Get me?”

“Yes. I'll come there myself and drag you back to the matrimonial home if I have to.”

Emily sat upright. “You will do no such thing.”

“You think you can run away from your responsibilities?”

“I'm not running away.”

“Then send me your location.”

“No.”

“Emily!”

“I said no.”

Linda fell silent for a moment. Then her voice dropped into an angry whisper. “You've really changed.”

Emily looked down at her hand. “Maybe I have.”

“You used to at least respect your elders.”

“I respect people who respect me.”

“You're talking back to me now?”

“Yes.”

Linda sounded genuinely shocked. “How dare you?”

Emily's expression hardened. “How dare I what? Refuse to let you drag me somewhere I don't want to go?”

“You're becoming disrespectful.”

“No. I'm becoming tired of you people deciding what I'm supposed to do with my life.”

Linda scoffed. “You're acting like some independent woman now, but let's see how long you survive without this family.”

“I'll survive.”

“You don't even know where you're going.”

“I'll figure it out.”

“You think Xavier is going to take you back after this?”

Emily's eyes turned cold. “I don't care.”

“Don't lie to yourself.”

“I said I don't care.”

“You spent five years married to that man, and now you're throwing everything away.”

Emily remained silent.

Linda wasn't finished.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. Your grandfather is sick, the company is struggling, and now you're adding another problem to the family.”

Emily's lips pressed together. That was enough.

“You know what?” she said.

“What?”

“You should focus on your own life before worrying about mine.”

Linda went quiet. Emily continued.

“Your marriage isn't exactly perfect either.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don't pretend you don't know.”

“I don't know what you're implying.”

Emily gave a humorless laugh. “You've been sleeping around.”

There was stunned silence. Linda's breathing changed. “You little—”

“I know what you've been doing.”

“You have no right to speak to me like that!” Linda snapped.

“And you have no right to lecture me about marriage.”

“You're lying!”

“Am I?”

Linda said nothing. Emily leaned back against the pillows.

“I've never interfered in your marriage. I've never questioned you about what happens between you and your husband. So don't sit there and act like you're some perfect woman who has the right to judge my decisions.”

“You're a disgusting child.”

“And you're a hypocrite.”

“Emily!”

“I've had enough.”

“You think you're better than everyone now?”

“No.”

Emily's voice was calm.

“I just finally understand that I don't have to explain myself to people who have already decided I'm wrong.”

Linda cursed under her breath. “You're going to regret this.”

Emily ended the call. She had heard enough. Aunt Linda called again. Emily stared at the phone screen with irritation and proceeded to end the call and also block her aunt. She wasn't going to let anyone interfere with her life. She wondered how aunt Linda got to know about her divorce. Had Xavier told her?

The room became quiet. Emily lowered the phone into her lap and stared at the blank screen. Her heart was beating faster than usual, but she didn't regret a single word. For years, she had allowed people to speak over her. Her family had made decisions for her. Stella had insulted her. Xavier had ignored her.

Everyone had expected her to endure everything quietly because she was Mrs. Sterling. But she wasn't Mrs. Sterling anymore. She was Emily Carter. And she was done allowing other people to decide what happened to her. Kathy came into the room carrying a bowl of fruit.

She stopped when she saw Emily's expression. “Was that your aunt?”

“Yes.”

“What did she want?”

Emily took an apple from the bowl.

“To tell me how much I've ruined everyone's lives.”

Kathy sighed. “I knew it.”

Emily took a bite. “She also wanted my location.”

Kathy's eyes widened. “Why?”

“She said she'd come and drag me back to the Sterling mansion.”

Kathy immediately shook her head. “She won't.”

“She won't get the chance.”

Emily placed the apple down. “I've decided something.”

“What?”

“I'm leaving Ranch City.”

Kathy stared at her. “You were already planning to leave.”

“No.”

Emily shook her head. “Before, I was thinking about leaving. Now I'm certain.”

Kathy slowly sat beside her. “Where will you go?”

“I don't know yet.”

“Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“No.”

Emily looked down at her stomach. “But I'll find somewhere.”

Kathy nodded. “And what about your properties?”

Emily's expression became thoughtful. “I'll sell them.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

“You're sure?”

Emily nodded. “There's nothing here for me anymore.”

She had once believed Ranch City was her home. It held the mansion where she had become Xavier's wife, the restaurants where they had attended business dinners, the streets she had traveled countless times beside him. Now every corner seemed to hold a memory she didn't want. She didn't want to spend another day surrounded by reminders of a life that had ended.

“I want a fresh start,” Emily said.

Kathy watched her carefully. “Then we'll find one.”

Emily smiled faintly. “Thank you.”

Kathy reached over and squeezed her hand. “You don't have to thank me.”

Emily looked toward the window. She didn't know what city she would live in. She didn't know how she would build a career. She didn't know how she would raise two children on her own. She didn't know what her family would say when she left.

But she knew one thing. She wasn't going back, not to Xavier, not to the Sterling mansion. And not to the life she had spent five years trying to make work. Whatever happened next, Emily would face it herself. This time, she would build a life that belonged to her.