ManyWriters

Three months ago, Ryan Mitchell became obsessively infatuated with a singer at a jazz club.
That girl, Scarlett, exuded a rebellious New York vibe, with heavy makeup but clear eyes. When Ryan handed her the keys to a Manhattan apartment, she rejected them without hesitation.
"I'm not anyone's caged canary, Mr. Mitchell."
Those simple words made Ryan completely lose his mind.
He spent a fortune on her, even renting an entire LED screen in Times Square for her, completely forgetting about his wife of seven years who had dedicated her youth and talent to him.
I, Emma Collins, didn't argue or yell. I just quietly tore up one of the oil paintings he had created for me every time he stayed out all night for Scarlett.
When he left me in the pouring rain because of one negative Instagram post from Scarlett, I shredded the first painting he had ever given me.When he missed his father's funeral just to rent out an entire club to hear Scarlett sing, I destroyed the tenth painting.
When he removed our wedding ring because of a single contemptuous glance from Scarlett, I ruined the twenty-ninth painting.
Now, he has abandoned me alone in the Alaskan wilderness because Scarlett casually complained about the cold weather.
And in my hands, only one last painting remains.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed the phone:
"Jack, I need divorce papers."

The Muse Who Shattered Our Vows

Ryan watched as half my body leaned out over the stairwell. Seeing the resolute look in my eyes, his heart nearly stopped beating.


She would rather die than stay by his side?


She'd choose death over letting him touch her?


He had come to find her, intending to make amends for everything, to make her happy again. How had it come to this?


How Emma Collins had loved to laugh when they just married! She would suddenly hug him from behind, pestering him to share his design inspirations.


When had the light in her eyes gone out?


Probably the first time he broke a promise to be with Scarlett instead.


After that, she gradually became silent, even her smiles tinged with reluctance.


The saddest part was that he had been foolish enough to think that was natural in marriage.


"Ryan Mitchell, either leave or watch me jump. Take your pick!"


My voice snapped Ryan back to reality from his memories. He opened his mouth but no sound came out.


Chapter 9