Emily hesitated before opening the door to the penthouse. The spacious, cold apartment had never felt like home, but tonight, it carried a weight of dread. She had convinced Clara to go home, promising she could manage on her own, but the truth was, she felt more alone than ever.
As the door creaked open, she stepped inside, her heart heavy with the memories of the past few days. Her body still ached from the illness, but she was determined to push forward. The house was eerily silent, save for a faint, rhythmic noise coming from the master bedroom. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as a sickening realization dawned on her.
Slowly, she made her way down the hallway, her legs feeling like lead. As she reached the bedroom door, she pushed it open and immediately wished she hadn't. There, on the bed they were supposed to share, was Alexander—entwined with Vanessa. The two were so engrossed in each other that they didn't even notice her standing there, her face pale and eyes wide with shock.
For a moment, Emily stood there, unable to move, unable to breathe. She had imagined this scenario in her worst nightmares, but the reality was so much more painful. Every soft moan, every whispered word of affection between them felt like a dagger to her heart. She had thought that after everything, she might be able to win his love. How foolish she had been.
Vanessa was the first to notice her, a sly smirk curling on her lips as she spotted Emily in the doorway. "Well, well," she purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction, "look who finally decided to come home. Too late to join the fun, I'm afraid."
Alexander turned his head, his expression shifting from surprise to something cold and calculating. But there was no remorse in his eyes, no hint of shame. Instead, he looked at her as if she were nothing more than an inconvenience.
"Emily," he said, his tone flat, almost bored. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting in the hospital? Or are you here to pull another one of your stunts for attention?"
Emily's voice was a whisper, barely audible, but laced with an edge of steel she didn't know she possessed. "I was just leaving."
Vanessa laughed, the sound cruel and mocking. "Oh, Alexander, it seems your little wife finally understands her place. Good for her."
But Emily wasn't listening anymore. The pain was so deep, so overwhelming, that it numbed her to everything else. She turned on her heel and walked out, each step more determined than the last.
Emily drove through the city streets, her mind racing faster than the car. The images of Alexander and Vanessa together burned in her mind, but with each passing moment, her resolve hardened. She had given him everything—her love, her loyalty, her entire being—and he had thrown it all away as if it were nothing.
By the time she reached the law firm, she knew exactly what she needed to do.
"Mrs. Kingsley," the receptionist said in surprise as Emily walked in. "I didn't expect—"
"I need to see Mr. Harris," Emily interrupted, her voice steady. "It's urgent."
Within minutes, she was sitting in the office of Alexander's lawyer, a man who had been more of an acquaintance than a friend over the years. Mr. Harris looked at her curiously, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"Emily, what brings you here at this hour?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.
"I need you to draft a divorce agreement," Emily said bluntly. The words felt foreign on her tongue, but also liberating.
Mr. Harris's eyes widened in surprise. "Divorce? Emily, are you sure—"
"I'm sure," she cut him off, her voice firm. "I don't want anything from Alexander. No alimony, no property, nothing. I just want out. I want to cut all ties with him."
He studied her face for a long moment, seeing the determination in her eyes. "Very well," he said slowly. "But are you certain about not taking anything? You have rights, Emily."
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I don't want anything that ties me to him. I'll leave with nothing if it means I can finally be free."
Mr. Harris sighed, nodding as he began to take notes. "I'll have the papers ready by tomorrow. Are you sure you don't want to think this through a bit more? Perhaps—"
"No, I'm done thinking. I'm done hoping he'll change. I'm done with everything," Emily replied, her voice steady, but there was a trace of sadness.