04 He Starts to Beg Her

Issac glanced at his screen, a furrow settling between his brows as he hung up the call, tossing his phone into a drawer.

His arm found its way back to Emily’s waist, his fingers trailing over the softness of her skin. However, he was oblivious to the flicker of change in Emily's eyes.

The sudden ring of the phone jolted Emily out of her daze. She realized she could not fall for Issac’s sweet nothings again. She couldn't be swayed by his superficial charms any longer. She yearned for real change, for freedom, for dignity.

Gently, Emily pushed Issac away. Her fingers traced a light path across his chest before slowly withdrawing. Her eyes, clear and resolved, left Issac a bit stunned. "Issac, I can't go on like this. Our issues can't be resolved with a bouquet of roses or a romantic song. What I need is your genuine respect and understanding, not these superficial tricks."

Issac froze, not expecting Emily's resolution. His hand reached out, trying to grasp Emily again, but all he caught was empty air. His eyes were full of surprise, as if he couldn't believe his charm had failed him.

"Emily, where are you going?" Issac's voice was tinged with panic, his hand waving in the air, as if trying to clutch at something.

Emily didn't look back, her steps firm and purposeful. Her voice echoed in the air like a proclamation, "I'm leaving, Issac. I need to find my own path, not live in the shadows of you and Cici."

Issac stood rooted to the spot, watching Emily's figure recede into the distance, his heart gave a jolt. "Come back, Emily, we will work things out!" His voice echoed in the empty room, but Emily's figure had already disappeared through the door.

With ease, Emily found the keys to the Ferrari in the hallway. Her hands tightly clutched the steering wheel as the car roared through the night, she knew she was heading towards the other end of the city.

June was a friend Emily met while working part-time. She could only afford a modest rent, so it was a long drive for Emily. 

When Emily opened the door to June's home, she saw June peering out the window. "Emily, did you see it? There's an outrageously flashy white Ferrari parked downstairs!"

"Uh, yes, that's my car."

"Your car!? Right, you're married to that super-rich guy, Issac Lloyd."

June was the bridesmaid at Emily's wedding. Emily knew she was joking and shrugged helplessly. "Yes, but I'm about to get a divorce, so that car is... let’s say, lent to me before the divorce."

June gasped and immediately embraced Emily. "What happened? Tell me everything!"

The two sat in the small but cozy living room, June poured Emily a cup of hot tea.

While sipping her tea, Emily laid bare all her troubles to June: How she met Issac in Cici's hospital room, how she married Issac for Victor's medical fees only to fall in love with him, how after falling for Issac she realized she was just a tool used by Issac to appease his grandparents, how Issac still put Cici before her even after their marriage, and how she finally decided to leave the toxic marriage.

"What about Victor? What about his medical bills?"

"I'm thinking, on one hand, I can continue working, on the other hand, I should get some property from the divorce. If Issac is a bit generous, Victor's medical expenses will be covered." Emily spread her hands uncertainly, she hadn’t given Issac any heirs and she wasn’t sure how much money she could get.

"Okay… I can't help you with the divorce, but maybe I can help you find a job."

"Do you know where there are vacancies?"

"Actually, the theater where I work is hiring. We're short of a stage manager." June smiled.

"A theater? Are you an actress now?"

"Oh! My God! How long has it been since we last contacted each other! I'm a staff there, not an actress!" June couldn't help but roll her eyes at Emily's question, incredulous at how little Emily knew about her current situation.

"What do you do at work?"

"Well, it involves helping to move props, ordering lunch boxes and coffee for actors, and sometimes acting as an usher if we’re short-staffed."

Emily shook her head. "Does the job pay well?"

"Uh… not much, but it's enough to support yourself. You can live here with me, I could use someone to share the rent with."

"Cool, When can you arrange an interview for me?" Emily relaxed on the couch, the hot tea that June had poured for her resting on her stomach, giving her a sense of comfort.

"In the next few days. Oh, there's another perk to the job."

"What is it?"

"You get to work with handsome actors."

June winked at Emily, who immediately burst into laughter. The two girls snuggled up together chatting, finally falling asleep on the couch.

The morning sun streamed through the gaps in the curtains, bathing Emily's face in a warm glow. She turned over, trying to evade the intrusive light, but was jolted awake by the ring of her phone. She fumbled groggily, eventually finding her phone on the other end of the couch.

Issac's name flashed on the screen. Emily rubbed her eyes and pressed the answer button. "Hello, Issac, what's so important that you're calling this early?" Her voice held a hint of annoyance, but it seemed to go unnoticed by Issac on the other end.

"Emily, I need your help," Issac's voice sounded somewhat anxious. "Do you remember today's Lloyd family gathering? My grandparents heard about your divorce proposal and insisted that I bring you to the banquet."

A deep sigh escaped from Emily's heart, filled with discontent and resentment. This was not the first time Issac had used her as a tool to cope with the pressures and expectations of the Lloyd family. He had never truly respected her, never considered her a part of his life, but treated her as a pawn he could use at will.

Since marrying Issac, she had attended such banquets several times a year. At these events, she needed to put on expensive custom dresses, wear a fake mask, and flatter people she did not know, all just to maintain Issac's lofty status within the family.

She detested those bustling occasions and despised exchanging pleasantries with strangers. She might have attended these events out of love for Issac in the past, but now she no longer loved Issac.

"I'm tired of being your tool, Issac," Emily said slowly. "I'm not your puppet anymore. I have my thoughts, my life. I will not let you use me as a tool to cope with your family pressure again."

There was only one thing she wanted to do, and that was to sever ties with Issac, completely and thoroughly.

"Please, make it clear to them about our divorce. I will not go to the Lloyd's house any longer," Emily declared calmly.

A helpless voice came from the other end of the phone: "No, darling, I beg you, accompany me to the banquet."