rty in a quiet darkness. The occasional sound of cutlery against fine c

own since childhood, she enjoyed the warmth of the gathering. The familiar faces, th

but his attention wasn't on the meal. He barely touched the food in front of him. The calm expre

ainfully simple.

sudden departure had left behind an empti

illa that would have guaranteed her a comfortable future. She walked away with nothing, as

sually quiet, Henry Su

asked. "Why isn't s

ned slightly around his utensils. Lowering his eyes, he concealed the

oday. I'll handle the remaining

his hand stopped halfway to his mou

ntly. "What are you talking about,

Marcus' stepmother, spoke up. A tired sigh

on this marriage. That girl spent three years trapped in a relationship that never made her happy. Since she's decided to leave, maybe it's

xpression

omething you throw away whenever you feel li

tation crossed

eady been signed. Emma has moved out

, "Well, that's unexpected. Who would've guessed that country girl would actually walk out? What's her plan now? Is she t

eft her mouth, Marcus's

enough,

n rising, Henry qu

lready fragile. Have you thought about how you're going to explai

's gaze without the s

d while I'm at it, I'll tell him that Ro

ld tension settled over the table

eline slowly lifted he

e, and the way he stood by his decision without wavering

ooked as though h

ill say when this gets out? You've been married for three

didn't

s what anyone thinks

voice was gentle and filled with guilt. She leaned her

ave for Meridan at dawn tomorrow. Marcus, you should return to

nue, Marcus tightened

That won't change. You've spent three years waiting f

d drifted through the trees, car

a, now Clara once more, was enjoy

he vessel moved smoothly through the water while dazzling city lights s

me to the most romantic place in the entire city!" Clara laughed a

.. I don't understand

appeared on

yone comes to show off how happy they are, an

hank someone, thank Ethan. He's the one who promised

his watch. "Five... four.

oded overhead, painting the night sky in dazzling shades of red and gold. The crowd

pressed, but the sight

this time. Remember the weird presents he used to give you

t sense of protection made her chest tighten, and for the first time that day, the a

pped out first, with Madeline's hand held firmly in his. A cool breeze s

ghtened as she pointed towar

an unavoidable comparison. Emma had never made him feel that way. Three years of marriage had brought him nothing but

illiant lights spread across the sky and

et out a s

who the lucky person is that's

jaw tig

Emma's b

o guess who had arrange

ai

r voice rose above t

moment Marcus looked toward it, he spotte

that Emma?" she asked. "And the man beside her...

ailing as anger surged through him. Just hours ago, Emma had been

the dock, Isaiah help

ice then cut th

a Br

urned around. Marcus was already walking toward he

fallen apart. The only thing

an?" Marcus de

you forgotten me already? We've met many times through

completely and kept

wer

s gaze witho

an. What I do with my life

ard. Emma had never spoke

yet, and you're already run

to stay out of it. Then she turned back to Marcus, carryi

brought your lover into our home before our divorce was even finalized. I k

red lips. She looked breathtaking, fierce, and completely untame

with Clara and Isaiah, jealousy flared inside her. She hurried over, but befo

I hurt

er voice, Marcus went

k, Clara and Isaiah had alrea