Chapter 3

Chloe, who had witnessed the whole scene, was fuming. Her cheeks flushed with anger, but she held her tongue and only asked, "You're really leaving?"

I nodded, gathered the project files for Emmett's review, and headed to his office.

The moment I stepped in, I caught Natalie in Emmett's embrace.

She spotted me and started to babble excuses, only to be pulled in closer.

"It was just a fall. Nothing's going on!" she said.

Emmett was busy fixing his rumpled collar.

In all our seven years together, he would never let me get too close in the office.

However, staring at the red marks on his neck, all I could feel was a sting in my eyes.

He was in such a hurry that he could not even wait to clock out.

I nodded and said, weakly, "It's fine."

I then passed the papers to Emmett, who had not bothered to fix his clothes.

Emmett snapped at me out of anger.

"Josephine, ever heard of knocking?

"And can't you see I'm in the middle of something? Did you have to bring the files now, on purpose?"

I kept my voice even.

"You've got it wrong. I just came to drop off a project proposal for you to check."

Emmett studied my face for a long moment.

"You better be."

Then, he tossed the folder to Natalie. "It's a big deal for our next quarter."

It was my creation, a project I had poured my soul into.

"Natalie's eyes are as good as mine."

He gave me a dismissive glance.

Natalie smirked at me, flipped through the proposal nonchalantly, and then threw it back with a sneer.

"This is subpar, Ms. Patel. Do it again."

I inhaled deeply, picked up the proposal from the floor, and left the office without a second thought.

Chloe was at the door, having listened in. She could not hold back her outrage.

"She's never even studied design, how could she understand anything?!"

I knew Natalie was gunning for me.

I handed the proposal to Chloe.

"Fix it up and hand it in after I'm gone.

"Nothing else matters now."

They were the real married couple, after all.

By the end of the day, I had wrapped up all my work.

If he would not accept my resignation, I would leave on my own terms.

When Emmett came to fetch me, he did not even notice my desk was bare.

Walking with him to the garage, I saw Natalie already smug in the shotgun seat.

After Emmett arrived, she intentionally knocked me to the side as Emmett slid into the driver's seat.

I nearly lost my balance from the shove, and Emmett looked over, his brow furrowed in disapproval.

"Enough with the dirty tricks."

I massaged my shoulder, kept quiet, and settled into the back seat.

We arrived at the hotel, where Emmett's father, Marvin Stewart, was hosting his birthday party. Marvin came out to welcome us, beaming when he saw Natalie.

"Wow, is this my fantastic daughter-in-law?"

Natalie greeted him with a warm, friendly hug and a smile.

I handed the gift I had picked out with care.

Marvin, who had once treated me pretty well, accepted it with a sneer.

"After mooching off my son for seven years, you come bearing these trinkets? I don't want them!"

I watched the landscape painting, a piece renowned for its beauty, get discarded carelessly. I quietly retrieved it.

I had intended to celebrate with them, to show gratitude for his past kindness.

If he did not appreciate it, that was his loss.

Emmett's face grew serious, and he chastised me quietly.

"You know my dad doesn't get art. Were you trying to fob him off with these paintings?"

I was at a loss for words.

"You're reading too much into it."

It was a piece of painting I had grabbed from my collection.

Yet, in their eyes, I was still just a nobody, unworthy of such treasures.

After Emmett warned me to keep in line, he went inside with Marvin and Natalie.

I followed, and as soon as I stepped through the door, I was forcefully ushered to stand before Marvin.

"Having been under my son's roof for so long, sharing a drink with me isn't asking too much, is it?"

I resisted instinctively.

"I've never relied on him."

I might have shared his space, but I paid my own way.

Emmett, standing off to the side, let out a sigh and did not bother to clarify.

"My dad's never been fond of you. Couldn't you at least try to win him over?

"What did he even say that was wrong?"

The waiter thrust the piping hot water into my hands.

My fingers reddened with the burn.

Determined not to miss my next flight, I gritted my teeth against the heat and passed the cup to him in full view of the crowd.

"Mr. Stewart, enjoy your drink."

Marvin gave a satisfied grunt, took a sip, and then, without warning, doused me with it.

"Consider yourself lucky I'm even doing this for you," he sneered.

Natalie snickered from the sidelines, smugly watching the scene unfold.

I was pushed to the side, soaked to the bone, unable to dry myself off.

My fingers shook uncontrollably.

Up front, Emmett was busy toasting with Natalie, cozying up to Marvin.

They stood together, the mood light and easy.

I shut my eyes.

Emmett, oblivious to my distress, casually texted me.

[I just wanted to take Natalie out to eat. Didn't expect this mess.]

[You were great today. I'll smooth things over with Natalie's parents early, and then we can get married, okay?]

That was his idea of making things right.

However, it meant nothing to me then.

I watched them on the stage, kissing to the cheers of the older folks.

Seizing a moment when no one was looking, I wiped my tears and made a beeline for the airport with my suitcase in tow.

On the plane, I converted all the gifts Emmett had given me over the years into cash and paid him back, even though I had never used any of them.

Emmett noticed my absence, and his eyes darted to my seat, his panic setting in.

"Where's Josephine?"