Emelia's POV"Oh, I'd be more than delighted to!" Simon beamed.While I wasn't the one for gossip, I was happy that Simon seemed to be more than eager to share what he knew. Even though I didn't want to hear about Lily's and Victor's past in full detail, I knew asking my husband anything was pointless.This was the closest to the truth I was going to get. No excuses, no beating around the bush.I needed to listen closely and find out to what extent Lily truly meant to Victor."Where do I even begin...?" Simon hummed."You said earlier that Victor's kindness and considerateness were abnormal for him growing up in high school. Maybe you can start there?""Oh, he was quite the troublemaker! He didn't listen to our teachers much, was late to classes, and even went so far as to skip out on school."I raised my eyebrows. "Wow, he's the total opposite now. He takes everyone's words here seriously, and listens to suggestions and feedback. Not to mention, he's also punctual when it comes to mee
Emelia's POVI ignored Victor's initial greeting and continued to lay in the darkness underneath my covers. I didn't want to face him, let alone talk to him. There was nothing he could say to me that would make things better."Go away…" I muttered."What was that? I couldn't hear you."I groaned, but didn't repeat myself.Suddenly, cold hands snaked their way inside of my warm space and rubbed on my hips, and I immediately hissed and kicked off the sheets. My eyes narrowed on Victor in frustration.But he didn't seem to pick up on my irritated mood as he smiled at me and chuckled. "Good afternoon, sleepyhead. Did you have a long day at work? I hope you don't mind, but I really want to talk to you about something."I said nothing in response, but laid back on the bed as I pulled the sheets over my body again. The empty spot next to me shifted with the weight of Victor's body as he draped his arm over me. Still, I chose to ignore him."Well… I hope you don't mind that I do all the talkin
Emelia's POVTomorrow evening came a lot sooner than I imagined, but I was happy it had. The thought of being mere hours away from being able to spend time with grandpa Antonio filled me with a sense of joy I didn't think I would feel again.He was the only one in the family who treated me kindly and with respect. Unlike Victor's mother, he knew that I wasn't with his grandson because of the money. He knew how I cared for him so deeply.He supported my marriage to Victor and defended me without hesitation.I picked out the jade green dress grandpa Antonio bought me as a wedding gift, and did my makeup to match. My excitement caused me to wiggle around in the seat of my vanity."Who are you getting all dolled up for?" Victor teased with a chuckle. "I hope that old man of mine isn't going to steal you from me."I let out a light laugh, but chose not to entertain his jokes. If I was honest with myself, Victor no longer teased a lightheartedness from me he once had before. Now I had to won
Emelia's POV"Wait, wait! I'm not ready yet!" Lily cried out. "Don't be so pushy to get me out of the house, Vic!"Victor stopped, but I went ahead. My frustrations were building up again and I wanted nothing more than for it to just have been me and grandpa Antonio enjoying a dinner together instead. At least then, I'd have someone who would care for me and talk to me like I'm a human being and not a doormat."Emelia, wait!" Lily called out.That stopped me in my tracks immediately. What the hell did she want? I turned around and stared at her with an indifferent expression. "What?""You wouldn't mind if I borrowed a piece of jewelry, would you? Maybe like a bracelet or something?" Lily asked as she fiddled with her dress.It was like watching a toddler ask for a slice of cake before dinner."Why?""I don't have anything fancy to wear since I had to move all my things back into my apartment... I'm sure Victor's bought you enough things that you wouldn't miss just one piece, right?""D
Emelia's POVAs grandpa's mansion got bigger the closer we got, I couldn't help but think about how I first came to meet him. That day held a lot of memories for me since my work had been selected for the international jewelry auction at Christie's that was being held in Italy.It was my first real breakthrough in the jewelry design industry, and while I was very nervous, I was excited by the opportunity.I had just gotten done setting up my booth when an elderly man approached me. There was a sparkle of interest in his eyes, and his smile was so kind and warm."Your work is very beautiful, miss." He complimented my matching jewelry set. "What is your name? What do I call you aside from "talented jewelry designer"?"Four years ago during the international jewelry auction at Christie's was where I came to meet grandpa Antonio. He took a very particular liking to my work and asked many questions.However, just as the auction was beginning, he suddenly collapsed to the floor.I had just r
Emelia's POV"It's all your fault! Grandpa wouldn't be so mad at us if it wasn't for you provoking him like a spoiled brat!" Lily screamed in my face.The tumultuous feelings in my heart definitely weren't helping the thoughts I was having now about throwing Lily across the table. I had to remind myself about being in grandpa's home, and how I definitely didn't want to add more fuel to the fire.Clearly, Lily had zero respect for grandpa's home, but I did. So, I decided to keep my mouth shut despite her hostility. Instead, I took a sip of my wine and ignored her.Lily continued to provoke me, dissatisfied with the fact that I knew how to regulate my own emotions. "Are you proud of yourself for ruining my relationship with both Victor and grandpa?! Are you not ashamed of yourself?!"My gaze drifted towards my mother-in-law to see her glaring at me with piercing eyes. It seemed as if she was letting Lily do the talking for her since they shared the same brain."Are you done?" I looked ba
Victor's POV"How could you break your promises to me? To Emelia?!" Grandpa Antonio snapped his eyes to me that flickered with anger. "After all this time, you're still choosing Lily? Do you not realize how grave of a mistake you're making?!""I haven't broken any promises to you or Emelia! You know nothing about what I've had to endure for your approval and for hers. I've sacrificed too much for you to think I don't know what the hell I'm doing!" I fired back. "But what you're not going to do is speak ill of Lily as if she did anything to deserve your hatred!"My grandfather wasn't always like this towards Lily growing up. At one point, he actually loved her like a granddaughter. But something changed when we got older.I always thought that maybe it was losing grandma that made him become that way. Ever since she died, a piece of him went with her. His heart, his soul, his mental health…Coincidentally, though, Lily had gotten into her accident trying to save my life. And I thought t
Emelia's POV "I knew it! I fucking knew it!" I yelled at Victor. "You're nothing but a LIAR and I can't believe I fell for it!"My heart pounded in my chest like a wild animal trying to break out of a cage. The ringing from Victor's words was too much for me to bear as I ran down the stairs and out the door.Everything I knew about my marriage was a fucking lie. The acts of kindness, the beautiful words, the stolen kisses—everything was for nothing.I was more than nothing but a replacement—a placeholder for Lily.Despite how I was considering divorce, there was still just a tiny sliver of hope that I was trying to hold onto. I wanted so badly to believe that maybe I wasn't a complete idiot in trying to save our marriage.But here I was—a fucking clown in the middle of a packed circus."Emelia, wait please!" Victor called out for me.I stood out in the middle of the courtyard in front of grandpa's mansion. My eyes stung with the tears I'd shed, and my legs felt like they were going to
Emelia's POVI shook my head, trying to ground myself back to this reality as I took the phone from Mason. It was Lady Ruby."H-hello?" I croaked, not realizing that my throat had gone dry."Is everything alright, sweetie?" Lady Ruby asked. "You don't sound too well."I cleared my throat and composed myself. "Y-yes, everything's fine. I just still need to adjust to the heat of this place."Mason snickered, but I pinched him."You'll grow to love it for sure. That Italian sun will do wonders for your skin!' Lady Ruby laughed. "But the reason I called was to check up on you and relay some information about the new project.""I love it here already, don't worry." I smiled. "But I'm ready for whatever it is you need from me! I'm excited to finally be able to start working on this project with you!""That's the spirit!" Lady Ruby enthused. "Well, more of the finer details are in the works, but an old friend and colleague of mine has plans to hold a wedding in the gardens of Isola Bella for
Emelia's POV"Last time I checked, yeah." Mason laughed. "I've got my driver's license and passport if you need to check. No birth certificate, though. That'll cost extra to get sent here."I scrunched my face in disbelief. "I-I don't understand. W-what are you doing here? Why are you here? When did you get here?""Oh, I'm sorry, officer." Mason teased. "I didn't realize I was being brought in for questioning!""Mason!""Just kidding! I'll tell you everything you want to know, I promise. But can I come in?" He smiled sheepishly as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "I don't know how you've adjusted to all this heat! I feel like a vampire in need of shade!"I ushered Mason into my home, climbing the stairs to the top floor where the kitchen was. Sitting two glasses onto the marbled island, I pulled out a pitcher of fresh lemonade and some ice trays.I then walked back to the fridge, staring idly at the ingredients. In truth, I knew I wasn't looking to make a meal. If anything, I wa
Emelia's POVThree days have passed since I arrived in Italy. Accommodations for me were already made, but I wasn't expecting something as luxurious as this! Even though Lady Ruby tried to pass this off as modest, I didn't believe her in the slightest.Glass stairs separated each of the three stories that divided the living area, bedroom and master bath, and the kitchen. Smaller balconies accompanied each floor that could sit a small garden for plants and herbs or a sunbathing area.The real treat, however, was the expansive open terrace where I was greeted by the scent of fresh sea salt and the sound of gentle waves. The bright overhead sun bathed my skin in its warmth, and for the first time in so long, I felt happy.Grandpa Antonio was right—I LOVE Italy!I sat my laptop down on the outdoor table, raising the accompanying umbrella since I'd intended to do a video call. Luckily, work hadn't started for me just yet, so I wanted to take this opportunity to call home and update everyone
Victor's POVMy grandfather didn't know it, but a storm was fast approaching his estate. Lightning, thunder, heavy rains, and damaging winds were ready to tear apart the legacy he'd built. Because I knew that he had to have known about Emelia leaving. There was no way he couldn't have. She was the only one on this planet he probably loved more than me.Which was enough to convince me that he knew about this all along.I sped down the highway with reckless abandon, hardly heeding to the horns that honked at me or the few sheriff's cars I'd whizzed by. I was on a mission to get answers.And I would get them—one way or another.Once we arrived, I shot Rosalie an icy glare. "You're coming inside. Either way, I'll find out you're lying to me."Rosalie nodded her head. "Y-yes sir…"I didn't even dignify my grandfather with a knock on the door as I stormed through his front doors and marched straight for his office. His butlers that would've normally greeted me, or in this case, apprehended
Victor's POVIt's been a week since I'd last seen Emelia.Seven days since I'd smelled her favorite, vanilla-scented perfume she loved so much.One hundred and sixty-eight hours since I'd felt the weight of her scrutinizing glare.Ten thousand and eighty minutes later, and none of my men have given me any more information on her whereabouts, or what she's been doing.It was like she'd gone off my radar completely.Things were quiet. Too fucking quiet.And I was losing my damn mind.Today was supposed to be another meaningless day filled with work meetings and making sure the designers were on schedule for the new season of jewelry to drop soon. Unfortunately, we were lagging behind our release date.Had there been someone else who was far more experienced in the leadership position to keep things running smoothly, we wouldn't be having this damn issue.But of course, who was at fault for such an oversight?Me, obviously.It was my fault things were falling apart.But to hell with the s
Emelia's POV"I had to come see you off, of course." Grandpa Antonio smiled at me. "You don't think I would let my favorite granddaughter leave for Italy without me saying goodbye, do you?"My smile faded almost immediately. "W-wait, you know? Then does that mean that Victor—""He doesn't." Grandpa was quick to reassure me. "Given everything that's happened between you two, I've made sure to keep this a secret.""But how do you know?""Ezra's been a good friend of mine since my college days. We entered the jewelry design industry together, but clearly one of us took it more seriously." Then he hesitated for a moment. "She, um, she also mentored Victor for a little while. So, she may or may not have told me about…""Let's go inside." I interrupted him and held the door open. "We can talk more once we're comfortable and sitting."As grandpa came inside the home, his eyes looked around at the packed suitcases and boxes of belongings that were stacked in the foyer. When he turned to look a
Emelia's POVA week had passed since everything with Victor happened. In truth, I gave it little thought because Lady Ruby reached out to me the day after I'd gotten done celebrating with Mason and told me to start packing for Italy.Apparently, the start date for her latest project was moved forward because all the prep plans finished earlier than anticipated.Hearing those words filled me with as much anxiety as it did excitement. I wasn't expecting the move to happen so soon and suddenly!The following days were spent in a whirlwind of preparations as well as keeping everything lowkey. After the incident with Victor, I tried my best to keep myself from going out in public unless necessary.It was clear someone in the outside world was feeding him information about what I was doing and who I was with… There was just obviously no way of figuring out who.Luckily, I had Mason and Alexis to help me move quickly and quietly."Is this really all you're taking?" Mason tilted his head to th
Emelia's POVI eyed Mason's speedometer like a hawk as I watched the numbers increase with a knot in my stomach. Guilt tore at my nerves. If it wasn't for me, Victor wouldn't be chasing us down this half-deserted road like a maniac! For the first time since our divorce, I felt fear. This went beyond breaking boundaries—this was straight up stalking! How did he even know where the hell to find me? What was his goal? I looked over at Mason to find him looking back at me. A mixture of anger and worry turned his lips down and furrowed his eyebrows together. "Mason, I'm so—" "There's no way you're apologizing right now, are you?" "You're telling me I shouldn't be?" I jerked my thumb back in the direction of Victor's car tailgating that was still pretty much on our asses. "If it wasn't for me, this wouldn't be—" "Stop." Mason's voice was firm. "You shouldn't be taking the blame for his actions. He's CHOOSING to do this, not you. This isn't your fault; it never will be." I sighed. "Ea
Emelia's POVI stared at the caller ID in disbelief. How did he always manage to do this? It was like Victor possessed a sixth sense when it came to my every movement. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? I ignored his call and placed my phone on Do Not Disturb before shoving it into my bag. I wasn't going to let him ruin the day I was trying to salvage. Yet, his insistence on wanting to speak with me was an omen of what was to come.Victor had eyes everywhere in the city—unfortunately, it came with the territory of being one of the region's most affluent and resourceful CEOs. Which, for me, meant that it was going to be a matter of sooner rather than later when he'd hear news of my move for Italy. It made me sick to think about what his reaction would be. His actions and persistence over the last few weeks had given off nothing more than sheer desperation. Why was he so anxious about having some kind of relationship with me now? He had a kid on the way and an engagement to the wom