son

throat burned. The tears had stopped. There was n

yes fixed on me. He said nothing. Offered no comf

ly work on those who love you.

he coolness of my skin a stark contrast to the bur

s, reaching out to every contact I had, pulling every string, trying to find them new jobs,

scream, to cry, to beg. To cling to him, the way he thought I always did. He exp

as w

hest corner of the room, picked up a magazine, and started flipp

's chest. He couldn't quite place it. This q

e hesitant. "I've arranged f

ok up. "Com

you always admired, the one in Beijing. It's yours. In your name

d, turning a p

llions!" He thought I was being difficult. Stubbo

it," I said,

please. Just sign the divorce papers. You'll get everything. Ha

le spreading across my

er his face. "Yes. Just... s

ng the papers. "I'll

he had won. He thought I was finally coming a

ver the documents. My heart felt nothing. No

ong?" His voice, soft and tender, was a dagger to my hear

Emerson, I have to go. Alicia... she's not

rough his hurried departure. I held

t up." He scribbled his signature on the bottom page, his eyes already on the

pers. The real ones. Not the compensation agreement.

my heart. The belief that his protection, born

lence was heavy, suffocating. I couldn't sleep. My mind ra

eyes blazing with fury. He strode to the bed, his h

?!" he roared, his voice

and involuntary. He saw them, and for a split second, his grip loosened.

an before. "Don't you dare cry! You hav

hat he was talking about

voice flat, devoid of emotion. "Did I push her down a flight of

threatening emails! Horrible, vile things! Yo

my voice cold. "I wouldn't st

splayed a series of malicious emails, filled with personal details about Alic

That's not my email address," I said, my voice tre

l that information? Who else would be so desperate to hurt Alicia?" He shook his head, his eyes filled

reeling. This was it. The final betrayal. He truly believed her. He