Chapter 2

Emily finally emerged from the darkness only when the morning sun peppered the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Her tears dried and her hold on this marriage died. She picked up her phone and called her lawyer.

"I need to start the process for a divorce," she said, her tone cold and resolute.

"Mrs. Sinclair, do you want anything for alimony?" the lawyer asked. Their marriage had been private, known only to a few close friends. Therefore, even divorce didn't have to involve a lot of hassle.

"No, I don’t want anything from him," Emily replied firmly. She provided the necessary details.

As she hung up, a wave of exhaustion and relief washed over her. She had entered Nicholas’s life penniless, and as she was leaving, she didn’t need anything from him. What she wanted from Nicholas couldn’t be bought with his money.

Later that day, Emily packed her luggage and left the house, leaving the divorce papers and her wedding ring behind. As she was about to step out, she glanced back at the house where she had spent the past three years. Despite the time she had spent there, she had never felt a sense of belonging. Most of the time, she had been alone, as Nicholas rarely came home. Emily realized that no one could be forced to make a place feel like home if it didn’t belong to them.

As she stepped outside, a large black car pulled up in front of her, and the window rolled down to reveal the face of her beautiful friend, Lilly. Emily smiled at her best friend.

"Finally, you’re free," Lilly said, stepping out of the car and embracing Emily.

Emily didn’t respond verbally; she simply climbed into the car while Lilly loaded her luggage.

Lilly joined her inside, and as they drove away, she remarked, "Men never know how to cherish the person who loves them."

Emily forced a smile, her gaze fixed on the distance.

"Someone like Nicholas really belongs with a woman like Maria. They’re a perfect match—both poisonous snakes," Lilly added angrily.

"It’s not them; it’s me. I forced them apart," Emily said slowly.

"Don’t you dare take the blame. It’s not your fault. It’s all that bastard Nicholas’s fault," Lilly said, her anger palpable.

Their marriage had been arranged by Nicholas’s father. Nicholas could have said no, but he didn’t. Emily had been in love with him since she was young and had hoped to melt his heart, but after three years, she had failed.

"Forget about it. I just want to start fresh," Emily said, exhaling deeply.

"What do you want to do? Return to handle the company? I can’t manage it alone anymore," Lily asked.

"I’ll return, but not just yet. I need to clear my mind first," Emily replied. Lily nodded, understanding what Emily was going through. She took out a flight ticket and handed it to Emily. Emily looked at the ticket in confusion.

"Go and be yourself. I’ve already prepared everything. Just take some time for yourself," Lily said with an assuring smile.

Emily held the ticket and whispered, "Thank you."

Lilly dropped Emily off at the airport, and soon her plane disappeared into the sky, carrying Emily toward a new beginning.

***

A month later

At the Sinclair family villa, a black car stopped in the yard. Nicholas rushed here as soon as he got off the plane. It was his grandfather's birthday.

Taking a gift from his secretary Noah, he walked into the house and his mother came to greet him.

"Nicholas, it's good to see you," she said, giving him a warm hug. "Your grandfather has been asking about you."

"Of course, Mother," Nicholas replied, returning the hug briefly. "Where is he?"

His mother smiled, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "He's in the study, waiting for you."

Nicholas nodded and made his way to the study. As he entered, he saw his grandfather sitting by the window, looking out at the garden. The old man turned, his face lighting up when he saw Nicholas.

"Ah, Nicholas! Come in, come in," his grandfather said, his voice filled with warmth.

"Happy birthday, Grandfather," Nicholas said, handing him the gift. "I hope you like it."

"Thank you, my boy," his grandfather replied, taking the gift with a smile. "Sit down, let's talk."

As Nicholas sat down, his grandfather's expression grew curious as he looked towards the door. "Where is Emily?"

"Emily?" Nicholas was confused. "She isn't here already?" he asked. In the past, they always arrived separately. Emily often came early to spend time with his grandfather, so he assumed she was already there.

"What do you mean by that? Did she not come with you, or did you leave her alone?" his grandfather said angrily. Nicholas was confused and speechless. He didn't know why Emily wasn't there yet. This wasn’t like her. He knew how much his grandfather loved Emily.

"No, I just got back from a business trip and came directly here. I thought she was already here. I'll call her," he said quickly, taking out his mobile.

His grandfather sighed. "I've always believed in you, Nicholas. But marriage is not just about convenience or appearances. It's about love and respect. Have you given her that?"

Despite Nicholas and Emily’s attempts to show that everything was fine, his grandfather had noticed the differences between them and was worried about Emily and disappointed in Nicholas.

Nicholas looked down, guilt washing over him.

"Everything’s fine between us. It’s just..." he trailed off, not knowing how to explain. He couldn’t let his grandfather suspect the true state of his relationship with Emily.

"You still have time to make things right, Nicholas. Don’t let pride or stubbornness ruin your chance at happiness," his grandfather advised gently.

Nicholas nodded, the weight of his grandfather's words sinking in. He walked out of the room to call Emily, but her phone was off. He tried several times, but the result was the same.

Suddenly, he realized it had been a month since they last spoke. In the past, she always called him, asking what he was doing and when he would be home. But this time, there was not a single word from her. Something was wrong.

"Find out where Emily is immediately," Nicholas ordered Noah. Noah nodded and quickly went to work. Soon, he returned with news but looked scared to deliver it.

"Mr. Sinclair..." Nicholas narrowed his eyes on Noah, waiting for him to speak. "What is it?"

"Mrs. Sinclair left home one month ago and never returned. There's no trace of her," Noah said hesitantly.

Nicholas's expression fell. "What do you mean by she is nowhere to be found?" he barked in anger.

"Get the car; we are leaving," he ordered.

"But you have a meeting with Miss White," Noah said hesitantly.

"Tell her I'll meet her another time," Nicholas replied without stopping as he walked out of the house.

It was already late when he arrived at the mansion. The dark, lightless house clearly showed that Emily wasn’t inside. Nicholas opened the door and was met by a cloud of dust. He frowned automatically.

In the past, whenever he returned, Emily would greet him with a smile. Yet, this time, he had come home to an empty house.

Nicholas switched on the light in the living room. The room was filled with dust, indicating that Emily had not returned since she left a month ago.

Emily used to throw fits before, but she had never run away for so long. Nicholas suddenly had an ominous feeling. His heart sank when he saw the divorce papers and her wedding ring on their bed.

There was a layer of dust on the papers. Nicholas flipped to the last page and, as he expected, saw that she had signed the papers. Unprecedented wrath rose inside him. He clenched the paper, his face darkening. His blood boiled.

"How dare she?" he fumed, tearing the papers and throwing them into the dustbin. "What makes her think she could divorce me!"

Just then, his mobile rang.