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 POV"What happened, Emmy? Come inside and tell me all about it." Alexis helped me to my feet and sat me down on the couch.Once I was in the safe confines of her home, all I could do was sit there and cry. My heart had finally been split in two, with each piece shredded and scattered through every place Victor and I once shared. There was nothing left but an empty void."I left Victor." I finally admitted after crying for what felt like hours. "The marriage was nothing but a sham. Victor lied to me about everything. I was nothing but a stand-in for Lily, just waiting to be replaced. He didn't want me, what we had wasn't out of love…""Em, I'm so so sorry." She placed her hand on mine. "Tell me everything. That weight you're carrying is not meant for one person to handle."I took a deep breath as I prepared myself to recount everything to Alexis. She was right, I wasn't meant to bear this alone. It made me so grateful to have a best friend like her. Especially now, I needed som
Victor's POVEverything around me moved in slow motion as I dragged myself up the stairs of my grandfather's mansion. The colors of the world started to fade away, and there was a giant hole in my chest where my heart should've been.Emelia left me.I went inside and ignored my mother and Lily completely, even as they tried to get my attention. Was grandpa right? Had I been mistaken this entire time?As I climbed up the stairs to grandpa's office, one of his butlers stood in my way. I tried to move past him but he mirrored my movements."I need to go talk to him, so please get out of—""Apologies, Mr. Russo, but Sir Russo has told us that you are no longer permitted to speak to him at this time moving forward.""What are you talking about? No, I need to go see—""Sir Russo has made it clear that you are to reconcile with Mrs. Emelia or you are prohibited from returning to this residence."I stood wide-eyed in disbelief. Grandpa was cutting me off completely unless I made up with Emelia
Victor's POVI stared into Lily’s eyes, hoping to find the answers to all the questions that burned within me.“What’s wrong?” Lily shifted uncomfortably beneath my gaze."Emelia is still my wife." I said with a resoluteness that almost erased the doubt that weighed in my heart. "I can't just let her leave! What will that say about me as a husband if I don't fulfill my vows to her? I have a duty to fulfill!"The implications of Emelia's words left me hollow, but I had to believe that there was some hope left. Things weren't absolute—there was still another chance to explain myself.I couldn't just let her leave. Not when I made a promise to be with her until 'death do us part'; through sickness and in health; through good and bad.The thought of all the promises I made to Emelia steeled my resolve. I had to find a way to make things right; to make her understand that things were truly different—and that what really mattered was that we were husband and wife.I had a duty to make sure E
Victor's POV"Maybe you should consider remarrying, Victor." My mother suggested not-so-subtlety. "It's about time you found yourself a woman who was actually worthy of you. Really! I have no idea what you even saw in that Emelia woman."I'd only been home for ten minutes, and my mother was already lecturing me on moving on and trying to find another wife.After having to clean up Lily's mess and narrowly securing her spot in Ezra's competition, the last thing I wanted to hear was her criticism of Emelia.Seeing Em again today… Her indifference, her coldness towards me and Lily… It was like looking at a whole different person."Victor!" My mother called for me. Her eyebrows were scrunched together. "Are you even listening to me?"I shook my head. "Sorry… Today's been a busy day, and I've had a lot on my mind.""Well, I'm sorry, son, but I'm going to need you to get it together!" She placed her hands on her hips. "The investors are starting to get worried because of this whole fiasco wi
Emelia's POV"Alexis?" I asked in a panicked tone. "What happened? Is everything alright? Are you safe?"Alexis had always been the epitome of strength and confidence. To hear her voice be void of those two things was jarring and worrying.I knew she'd been a little off, but she'd refused to tell me anything. Now hearing her like this—so small and scared—had my heart quickening."I-I think I'm fine…" Alexis's tone wasn't convincing. "I… I just really need you to come home and just… be here.""I'll be right there! I promise. I'll call you when I'm on the way.""O-okay. Don't be long, okay?""I won't."I turned back to Lady Ruby and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, but there's an emergency that's come up, and I have to leave."Lady Ruby shook her head and rose from the desk. "Go handle your business first, sweetie. We'll have more opportunities to discuss things in the future. I've gone ahead and forwarded your information to my secretary, Alice. We'll be in touch soon.""Thank
Emelia's POV"You're resorting to cheating accusations now?" Victor's words lit a fire in my chest as heat flooded my cheeks. "That's rich coming from you!"In the wise words of my best friend—if men had one thing, it was the audacity!Victor may not have cheated on me outright, but him choosing Lily over me countless times and allowing her to step all over me was certainly no better.Was this outrageous claim meant to make him feel better about our divorce? Was he still in denial about his actions being what led us here? Was this his twisted way of coping?I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. THIS was ridiculous and exhausting!"What are you laughing at?!" Lily's nostrils flared. "No wonder why you were so eager to divorce Victor! All those horrible things you said to him and overexaggerating his "mistreatment" of you—it was all a front to disguise your real actions!""You'd know a thing or two about disguises wouldn't you, Lily?" I asked in a mocking tone. "You
Emelia's POV"You're Lady Ezra Ruby?!" We all asked in unison as our faces displayed an equal measure of shock."The one and only!' Lady Ruby curtsied with a wide smile. "When my secretary told me that we had more applicants for this year's competition, I rushed back from my hair appointment. I'll be honest, I'm very pleased with the turnout.""Well…" Her eyes dragged over to Lily as a frown tugged down the corners of her lips. "Most of the turnout."I watched as the crowd around us bowed their heads in respect, and not looking at Lady Ruby directly. The power she exuded could be felt around us—it commanded our respect.But her displeasure with Lily was also palpable. The air around her was sharp, tense. She wanted us to know that slighting her was a mistake for one's career without saying it.Lily dropped to her knees as she scrambled at Lady Ruby's feet. "M-miss Ruby, I—""It's Lady Ruby." She interrupted sharply as her gaze remained intensely on the groveling girl at her feet. "Firs
Emelia's POV"S-she's lying!" Lily stammered as her eyes widened in shock. "That old hag is lying! She doesn't actually have proof at all!"The older woman scoffed and held her phone high in the air as she played back the video she captured.Right there for everyone to see, was the video of my encounter with Lily. From her blocking my way when I was trying to walk away, her grabbing my wrist, and then her charging for me before falling to the ground when I stepped out of her way.The crowd and I stood in a stunned silence.I just couldn't believe it—a completely random stranger had stood up for me! Not only did she not fall for Lily's lies, but she even had proof! It almost felt like I was dreaming.Suddenly, the crowd's murmurs escalated once more, but this time, their anger was directed towards Lily. The three strangers that accosted me earlier and tried to accuse me bowed their heads at me."I'm sorry… I really didn't know!' One said."At least the truth finally came to light…" The
Emelia's POV"You're kind of pathetic, you know." Lily laughed. "You were the one to divorce Victor, and leave his company, but you're still entering this competition in hopes of staying close to him? Just give him up already!"I narrowed my eyes, the blood in my veins felt as if it was about to boil over. Just the mere sight of her made my resentment towards her grow.She was the cause of all my pain and suffering. She was the reason why I no longer had a husband or a child to love.If we weren't out in a public space, I would've slapped the hell out of her. But I had to compose myself as best as I could do.The last thing I wanted to do was make a scene when I was supposed to be meeting one of the most important people in this industry."Delusional as always." I scoffed. "Do you truly have nothing better to do than to annoy me like some fly? Leave me alone."I turned to walk away, but not before Lily rushed to block my path. As I got a closer look at her, I noticed just how much bett
Emelia's POV"So… Is everything okay between you and Mason?" Alexis asked as she was washing the dishes.I nodded as I was packing away the decorations. "Yeah, everything's fine between us. He was just a little taken aback by my decision to start my own business.""Oh, jeez… Was he trying to pressure you into reconsidering the job offer? Was he being a douchebag about it? I was just starting to like him!"I couldn't help but laugh at Alexis's protectiveness. "Relax! Quite the opposite actually. He's confident in my abilities and has actually offered to help me with anything I need for the business.""Oh? Is that so?"I turned to look at a mischievously smiling Alexis as she wiggled her eyebrows at me. Luckily, Mason had to leave a little early due to a work meeting, so he wasn't here to witness what Alexis was implying."Oh… Don't start!" I could feel my cheeks getting hot. "I'm just barely getting out of my divorce with Victor. The last thing I want to think about is another relations
Emelia's POV"I have a surprise for you, by the way." Mason smiled widely at me just as we pulled into Alexis's driveway."You're full of those, aren't you?" I teased."I can be. But I had some help with this one.""What do you mean by that?"Mason motioned for me to follow him as he knocked on the door.Without missing a beat, it swung wide open, and Alexis stood on the other side with a party hat and a wide grin."HAPPY DIVORCE DAY!" Alexis squealed as she grabbed me by the arm and ushered me inside.Her living room had golden garlands hanging from the ceiling, with black and white balloons tied across various pieces of furniture. Confetti trailed to her kitchen, and in the middle, sat a big, white cake. The top was decorated with a bride dragging the groom by his collar, and in bold letters was written:TAKING OUT THE TRASH!I couldn't help but laugh. "What is all this?""We're celebrating your freedom day! Duh!" Alexis beamed as she hugged me."And you were in on this, too?" I rai
Emelia's POV"I wish it hadn't come to this..." Victor said in a low, saddened tone. "I would've given you the world."At one point, Victor was my world. My considerate, although stubborn world.If only he hadn't been so blind. Hadn't been so foolish.All he had to do was say three words; he could've given me the reassurance I'd wanted all this time. He could've stayed true to his promises instead of taking advantage of me.But it was clear that this was nothing more than just an obligation to him. There was no affection, no love.I shook my head. "I had the world. They were growing inside my belly; so innocent and pure. Now with them gone, I want nothing more than to be done with whatever this was supposed to be."Victor winced at my words, the reminder of our dead child like a whip against flesh. With trembling hands, his signature still came so smooth against the creme-colored paper of our divorce agreement.When he handed me back the papers, it felt like a weight had been lifted of