Chapter 1:
“Emma, I’ve got a huge business opportunity in Europe. Think about it – stop revolving your whole life around that husband of yours.” Her best friend’s voice. came through the phone, marking her third attempt this month to convince Emma to do business overseas.
In the past, Emma would have refused instantly. After all, her husband couldn’t live without her. In three years of marriage, she hadn’t even left Boston, let alone the country. But now, staring at the divorce papers on the table, Emma slowly replied, “I’ll think about it.”
“Oh my God, you’re finally coming to your senses!” her friend exclaimed.
Emma smiled faintly and hung up.
The shower stopped running, and James emerged wearing just a towel. His athletic build and water–droplet–covered face were strikingly handsome, like something out of a magazine. Once upon a time, Emma had fallen head over heels for that face, but now, looking at him stirred nothing in her heart.
While drying his hair, James asked, “Did you sign?”
Emma lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly.
James noticed her unease but casually said, “Wasn’t I clear enough when we
discussed this?”
“That’s not it,” Emma replied hoarsely.
In truth, James hadn’t discussed anything – he’d simply informed Emma about the divorce. But he wasn’t actually planning to divorce her. His exact words were: “You know, even though we’ve been betrothed since childhood, my grandmother never. liked you. Now she’s old and bedridden, and her last wish is to see us divorced. Just sign the papers – there’s a 30–day cooling–off period anyway. Once she passes, I’ll withdraw the application.”
Emma had known this man for over twenty years – she could tell when he was lying. The real reason James wanted a divorce was that his mistress wanted official
status.
Perhaps out of guilt, James, usually buried in work, took three days off to stay home with Emma. For now, Emma could only sign. As she finished the last stroke,
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furrowed brow finally smoothed out.
“Keep the fake divorce private. Those gossips are annoying, and I don’t want to
explain. This stays between us,” James said.
Emma silently nodded.
Looking at Emma’s docile behavior, James felt a wave of guilt. She was being too compliant – not showing any resistance even to something as major as divorce. James’s tone softened unusually as he asked, “What’s for dinner? Western or hot.
pot?”
In three years of marriage, Emma had never worked, dedicating herself entirely to taking care of James and his sensitive stomach. Usually by this time, she would have been busy in the kitchen.
But today, she just lounged on the couch and said lazily, “Order takeout yourself.” James noticed Emma’s unusual behavior today. He assumed she was still upset about the divorce, but he had no patience left for explanations.
They sat there in silence, neither speaking.
James scrolled through messages on his phone, then suddenly stood up, saying, “I
have something to take care of today. I’ll just eat out.”
Emma didn’t even lift her eyelids, saying flatly, “Go ahead.”
Perhaps angry at Emma’s cold attitude, James deliberately slammed the door on
his way out.
Emma turned to look at this man she’d known since birth.
When they got engaged, her best friend had asked, “Is it really okay to marry. someone you know so well?”
Emma had joked, “That’s exactly why I’m marrying him – I know him so well that if he ever stops loving me, I’ll notice right away.”
Three years later, Emma had indeed noticed.
She got up and poured herself a coffee, then opened Spotify on her computer. It was James’s account, with only one playlist marked with a suggestive heart
emoji.
The playlist had five songs, all by the new singer Lucy Hayes.
