Chapter 2 - Walked Out of His Life

As if he was expecting someone to come in, Clayton who had been working in his study, intermittently look at the door.

In the past, Emerald unfailingly brought Clayton coffee whenever he worked in his study though he never appreciated her and treated her as an air.

Unknowingly, it became a habit to him that he unconsciously anticipated Emerald to show in his study with a cup of coffee.

Clayton sighed and stood up, got out of his study room. He was surprised to find himself in front of Emerald's room. He twisted the knob and pushed the door open.

The room was completely dark, an indication that no one was there. He switched on the light and stepped in.

He remembered four times he entered this room. Three times he barged into this to confront her about Lizzy.

However, she didn't explain to him as he would not listen to any of her explanations because of his prejudice against her.

Clayton thought that his father coerced him to marry Emerald under her manipulation.

And the fourth time… He came home drunk, then the following morning he woke up alone in her bed completely bare and was startled to see a red spot on the pristine white sheet.

"Don't get the idea that I am falling for you. A woman like you will never ever captivate my heart," Clayton spat to ridicule her when he came down for breakfast.

The harsh and insulting words he uttered that morning to her were enough to ignite a fury in her but she just stared at him calmly.

He sniffed the scent inside the room, trying to catch a whiff of her vanilla - like scent.

He cackled.

"You really did it, Emerald. Erasing all your traces in the house in under twenty four hours."

No hint was left that she stayed in the house for one year as if she was just a dream and didn't really exist.

The departure of Emerald burrowed a huge hole in Clayton's heart.

Early the next morning, Clayton didn't go to the dining room as he knew that it wouldn't be the same again. Emerald was not there to serve him.

The coffee… the food will never taste the same.

He didn't appreciate Emerald's hard work and was quite annoyed at her that she inquired about his food preferences.

He couldn't care less if she had a grease burn on her hands or arms.

Numerous times she had a band aid wrapped around one of her fingers.

He just sneered and remarked at her of being stupid that she can't even hold the knife properly.

Clayton left the house, he felt like cotton had been stuffed in his chest and it was difficult from him to breathe.

No more warmth of that woman will be waiting for him when he comes home.

***

"Clayton, you promised me that you will accompany me to a fashion show," Lizzy whined as she tugged on Clayton's sleeve.

Clayton settled the file he was reading on the table and looked at Lizzy. "As you can see, I have a mountain of work."

Lizzy pouted her lips acting all cute at Clayton. "Your secretary already included this in your schedule five months ago. You called that night while we had dinner at my apartment. Remember?"

Clayton tensed up, the muscle on his back rigid.

Five months… that woman walked out of his life five months ago. She vanished into thin air and no one could locate her.

The bank card he gave her was the only way to know her whereabouts but she hadn't used it since she left.

When the court order dissolving their marriage was released he had his private investigator search for her so he could give her the five million dollars alimony.

'How is she faring now? She has no relatives, no money and she's pregnant. She is bearing my child.'

Unconsciously, Clayton balled his hands into fists.

"Clayton, are you mad at me?" Lizzy held his clenched hands.

Clayton checked his emotions and sorted out his mind.

"No, I'm not. Go home and I'll pick you up tonight," Clayton abruptly stood up and walked into the bathroom.

With gritted teeth and hands closed into a tight ball, Lizzy's eyes followed Clayton's figure entering the bathroom.

"Ensuing, his divorce with that woman he became colder." She muttered to herself.

She has to find that woman and make sure that she perpetually disappears and had no chance to reappear in their lives.

Emerald is just an orphan country bumpkin brought back by his father from a business trip.

The night Emerald was on the verge of being sold into white slavery, she managed to escape and bumped into Clayton's father who was having a business deal in that hotel where the trade took place.

Only Clayton's father, Leonardo and two trusted bodyguards knew about this.

Frightened by the incident, Emerald, for a year, didn't go out of the Strong mansion.

Leonardo's only living child Clayton had no good rapport with him and barely came home. And because of that he regarded Emerald like a daughter.

Leonard was overjoyed when he accidentally discovered that Emerald fell in love with his son Clayton.

Clayton was enraged when his father arranged his marriage with Emerald but could not say no to it as he was being threatened by his father.

If Clayton refuses to marry Emerald, Leonardo will sell the whole family company and all his assets and donate the money to a charity foundation, leaving him not a single penny.

At the fashion show

Both Clayton and Lizzy were seated at the front seat.

One by one the models walked on the runway as the emcee mentioned their names and a brief description of the clothes they wear.

Emcee: The most awaited time has come, the masterpiece of Shannel, stepping on the runway… Emerald Trueman wearing….