Chapter 25:
The Twin Towers were the city’s landmark, with a view of the entire city from the top floor.
Emma and James used to date there often.
Without waiting for Emma’s agreement, James drove straight to the Twin Towers
entrance.
Being the first snow of the season, many people had come to watch from the
towers.
James had booked observation deck seats and took Emma up.
The snow came down heavily, almost covering the entire city within an hour. James spoke first: “If we divorce, where will you go? What about the baby? Have you thought it all through?”
Emma nodded: “Don’t worry about any of that. I’ll have and raise the baby myself. I don’t want child support. I’ve found a good job in London. If all goes well, you’ll
never see me again.”
James’s eyes turned red.
How many nights had Emma sworn in his arms she’d never leave him?
Now she calmly told him when she’d leave, never to return.
Their only flesh and blood would have nothing to do with him.
James felt like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart. He could barely breathe.
“Why… I don’t understand how you can let go so easily. All these years of love – you just throw it away?”
James cried, wiping his tears.
In the freezing temperature, his tears almost turned to ice, stinging his face.
Emma looked down, thinking carefully about his question.
Finally, she answered: “Everyone’s different. Being able to pick up and let go – that’s just who I am.”
A rational answer, almost emotionless.
James cried harder.
Emma took a deep breath, holding up her hand to catch snowflakes, watching.
them
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melt.
“But if you really want to know why, I can tell you.”
She held her left hand in front of James.
“Look – notice something missing?”
James was near breakdown, his mind not working. He just grabbed her hand, crying until his vision blurred.
Emma’s voice was calm as still water.
“You don’t even know what’s missing, do you? Let me show you.”
She opened her phone to Lucy’s social media post.
In the photo, the wedding ring sparkled.
Emma held the phone before James’s eyes.
“See this ring? You bought it for her, but never bought the one I wanted.” James took the phone with trembling hands, lies coming automatically. “Emma, I told you she’s just making things up. Why won’t you believe me?” Emma had lost count of James’s lies.
At first, they’d disappointed her. Now she felt nothing.
“James.”
Emma spoke slowly: “I was there that night, at Lucy’s birthday when you
proposed.”
Her tone was calm, but carried subtle sadness.
“You were drunk. I called the car to take you to the hotel. I know everything
between you two.”
James’s pupils dilated. Even his tears stopped.
His breathing stopped for a moment.
Emma knew everything.
That’s all that echoed in James’s mind.
“Nothing more to say. You not only cheated but kept lying. I’ll buy my own ring. Let’s part here. I’ll contact you about the divorce date.”
Emma turned and left the observation deck.
She looked back one last time at the man she’d loved her whole life.
