Chapter 9:
40%
Conflicted, James replied to Lucy saying he wouldn’t be at the office for a few days,
then muted her messages.
He stood shivering in the cold wind.
Finally, Emma’s mother appeared.
Seeing James alone, she paused, surprised: “James, why are you alone? Where’s
Emma?”
James’s heart nearly stopped.
“Mom, isn’t Emma here?”
Mrs. Winters shook her head. “She hasn’t come home.”
James’s mind raced. If Emma was playing disappearing act and their parents found
out, things would get even more complicated.
But Mrs. Winters was already exclaiming: “What’s going on? Did you fight? Is Emma upset? That child’s never known how to behave. James, don’t worry about.
her – she’ll come back in a few days.”
Her words reassured James, and he relaxed.
Of course – Emma, who loved him more than life itself, couldn’t possibly leave him. She was just angry – she’d be back within three days.
Thinking this, James smirked and drove to work.
Emma was just trying to see him go crazy without her, wasn’t she?
Well, he wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.
Meanwhile in London, Emma had landed.
Sarah waited at arrivals with a huge bouquet. Seeing Emma, she smiled and thrust
the flowers into her hands.
“My brilliant designer, happy divorce!”
After days of turmoil, Emma finally laughed seeing Sarah.
In Sarah’s car, Emma felt drowsy from jet lag.
Sarah handed her water, chattering: “Stay at my apartment first. Don’t worry about work – I know several fashion brands hiring designers. With your talent, you could
make a comeback.”
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Emma leaned back in her seat, softly responding: “Okay.”
Sarah kept driving.
London in winter darkness came early, with fine rain and damp cold air.
40%
Emma checked her phone – her mother had sent a stream of messages asking her whereabouts. Emma left them on read.
“Emma…” Sarah looked at her worriedly.
“Have you really let go? Are you really planning to have nothing to do with James. for the rest of your life?”
It was a natural question from Sarah.
As Emma’s high school friend, she’d witnessed Emma and James’s most passionate
love.
Most memorable was when Emma once posted about wanting a specific Japanese. chocolate – James immediately flew to Japan that night just to buy one box, placing it on her desk Monday morning.
Sarah had moved abroad after Emma’s wedding three years ago, losing touch with Emma’s married life.
But she could see Emma wasn’t happy anymore, didn’t smile like before.
Facing this question, Emma remained calm.
Watching the rain outside, she spoke slowly.
“Sarah, I still have so much life ahead, right? I’m only twenty–seven. I have another twenty–seven years ahead, maybe even a third. I don’t want someone who’s
already wasted so much of my time to keep taking up space in my life. It’s that simple.”
Sarah chuckled softly: “I hope you can really be as detached as you say.”
Emma was about to respond when nausea hit.
She quickly grabbed a prepared sick bag from her purse.
Her morning sickness was getting worse. The doctor had told her she was two
months along – soon she wouldn’t be able to hide it.
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