Today's update. Thank you all for your heartfelt wishes on yesterday's celebration of love—Valentine's Day. Honestly, every day feels like Valentine's Day when I read your thoughtful comments and feel the endless support you give to my stories. You, my dedicated readers, are truly the best!
The rest of the drive was silent.Emile parked next to the policemen' vehicle when they got to the police station. He got out first, walking around to open her door. Her legs felt shaky as she stepped outside, terror threatening to take over her.Emile felt her uneasiness and took her hand, holding it firmly. “Don’t let them see you’re scared,” he said firmly. “You did nothing wrong. You were defending yourself. Richard’s the one who should be afraid of the law.”They walked into the station together, following the two officers down a long, dimly lit hallway.Emile’s hand tightened around hers, and she glanced up at him, searching for reassurance. His expression was furious and protective when he met her eyes.“He won’t get away with this,” he muttered under his breath. “I promise you that.”Despite the fear twisting inside her, his words brought a faint smile to her lips. “Thank you for being here.”They came to a room at the end of the hallway that was bustling with activity.The ta
The detective called over a young officer, gesturing toward the computer. "Record every statement. Word for word."The keys clicked softly as the officer positioned his fingers over the keyboard. "Ready, sir." His voice carried the crisp enthusiasm of someone who hadn't yet been worn down by the job.Silence stretched for a moment before the detective's steel eyes locked on Emmeline. The weight of his gaze made her throat tighten."Ms. Lawson, paramedics reported that on January 3rd, your husband was struck on the head with a vase. Did you do it?"Emmeline's fingers twisted in her lap, worrying at the hem of her coat. She glanced at Brody who gave an almost imperceptible nod.She drew in a shaky breath, tasting the stale air of the interview room. "Yes." The word came out stronger than she expected. "I did."The rhythmic tapping of keys punctuated the heavy silence that followed."Walk me through what happened." The detective's hands settled on the desk with his fingers interlaced. A g
Yuna’s face darkened and her teeth ground audibly.“Let’s move on to the best part of the recording.” Brody tapped the screen once more before she could protest."The pain I've put you through is nothing compared to the consequences you'll face once I'm free from this place," Richard's voice slithered through the room, venomous and chilling.All eyes turned to Richard, whose face had gone pale. His lips parted, but no words came out.Brody’s expression was sharp with mockery. “Care to explain to us exactly what kind of torment you put her through?”Richard’s hands trembled. “I meant… well, actually…” His words stumbled over each other, collapsing into an awkward silence.Richard looked at Yuna in desperation when his tongue failed him, silently begging for assistance. Despite the damning evidence Brody had just presented, Yuna’s expression remained composed and as solid as stone.“Torture,” Yuna began smoothly, “can mean many things. My client’s words in the recording are vague at best
"Yuna is indeed Richard's lawyer!" Emmeline’s voice cracked, denial weighing down every syllable.She tightened her grip on the strap of her bag so tightly her trembling fingers dug into the leather. It was the only thing keeping her grounded in this moment that felt more like a nightmare than reality.Zavian’s head snapped toward her in disbelief. "What the fuck?" The curse came low and rough, like a growl from deep in his chest.His jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his neck stood out.Brody tilted his head slightly as his sharp gaze flicked between them. "Didn’t she tell you she’s defending Richard?" His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it.Zavian let out a bitter laugh—one short and humorless. "Looks like I’m the last one to know." He spoke in a chilly tone.His hands curled into fists at his sides, the veins in his forearms standing out as he fought to keep his anger in check.Emmeline opened her mouth to respond, but Zavian’s attention suddenly shifted.His entir
Emmeline caught a glimpse of Richard’s face through the tinted glass of his BMW as he also peeled away from the courthouse. His smug and self-satisfied smile made her stomach turn."Despicable!" she cursed under her breath. The word seemed inadequate to describe the magnitude of her contempt, but it was all she could manage without breaking down completely.Silence descended on the remaining trio, heavy and oppressive."Are you going to tell me why Mrs. Blackthorn seems to hate you so much?" Emile's question broke the quiet. "Why would she defend Richard after everything she knows about him?" His eyes darted between Emmeline and Brody, searching for answers in their expressions.Emmeline drew a shaky breath. "There's no enmity between us," she murmured. "At least, not that I know of."A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Maybe she's hated me all along, and I've been too blind to see it."Brody's gaze bore into her, sharp and calculating. "I think there's more to this than you're letting o
Emmeline’s thoughts drifted to Zavian, who had left with Yuna earlier. The image of them walking away together haunted her mind. Her fingers moved across the screen almost unconsciously."Where are you now?"The minutes ticked by without response, each passing moment heightening her anxiety. The silence felt deafening in her room as she watched the unchanging screen. Her desperation seeped through after what felt like an eternity."It's been half an hour since we parted, is it possible that you two are still together?" Emmeline sent another message.Her forehead creased as she stared at the unchanging screen. A bitter realization struck her, prompting another message:"What are you two talking about?"The absurdity of her own actions hit her suddenly. She tossed the phone aside and rolled on her back with fresh tears spilling down her temples."Of course, they're talking about her finding out about us. What else could it be?" Her voice was a fragile whisper, barely breaking the silence
Emmeline's gaze drifted away from Yuna to a random corner of the coffee shop, where a young couple sat sharing a dessert. Their happiness contrasted with the scene unfolding at her table."I pitied you at first because no one deserves betrayal," she confessed softly, watching the condensation trail down the window. "But my desires were stronger. I used to curse myself after every sin... until I committed one far worse."A sigh escaped Emmeline's lips as she returned her gaze to Yuna's eyes."I’m not a thief," Emmeline’s self-confidence grew stronger with each word. "I did not steal your husband from you because his heart no longer belongs to you. I didn't snatch him from your bosom - he deserted it long ago. I merely crept into the fractures that you created." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but they carried the weight of truth she could no longer deny.Yuna’s grip tightened around her coffee cup. “Even if you rehearsed your stories together, they wouldn’t match this perfectly.”
The journey to the port stretched endlessly, yet Emmeline barely registered the passing scenery. Thoughts of Zavian consumed her. He was the only one who could steady her, the only one who could make her feel safe.The soft hum of the yacht’s engine greeted her when Emmeline arrived.She stepped aboard without hesitation, moving with urgency, as if time itself threatened to slip away from her grasp.Zavian’s tall and commanding figure was standing with his back to the door when Emmeline reached the deck.His hands were tucked into the pockets of his slacks and his posture deceptively relaxed. However, Emmeline knew him well enough to see the tension in his shoulders that betrayed his thoughts.“Mr. Blackthorn.” Her voice cracked with emotions.Zavian turned sharply at the sound. His striking features tightened with concern once he saw the state she was in."Little—" His words died in his throat as Emmeline launched herself at him. The impact nearly threw him off balance.Her arms wrapp
The group split up at the parking lot.Emmeline slid into her brother's car passenger seat while Minnie moved toward their own car.She caught Emmeline’s eye from across the lot, offering a small supportive smile before climbing into her husband's car.On the other hand, Brody's convertible roared to life with unnecessary force before peeling out of the parking space and disappearing down the street.The drive home stretched into an exercise in silence.Emile gripped the steering wheel with his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.Tension filled the car.Emmeline turned toward the window, watching the familiar streets of Riverwalk blur past. The town that had always been her home now felt like a place she was preparing to escape."Mother called while we were in court," Emile finally said.Emmeline traced a pattern on the condensation forming on the window. "What did you tell her?""What needs to be said.”Emmeline turned to face him, already knowing what he meant. "You shouldn't make
Minnie grabbed the chance to pull Emmeline back, making sure there was enough space between them and the men for a private conversation."What's this about going to France?" Worry shadowed her expressive face. "When were you planning to tell me? Or was I supposed to get a postcard from Paris?"Regret washed over Emmeline's face. The truth was, she'd been putting off this conversation, dreading how Minnie would react."I never found the right time to tell you," she admitted, avoiding her friend's sharp gaze by staring at the fancy ceiling molding.Minnie's fingers tightened around Emmeline's arm and her eyes narrowed. "This wasn't your idea," she stated with certainty. "You have too much to lose if you leave Riverwalk. Maybe you could handle being without me—though I doubt it—but what about Judge Blackthorn? What happens to you two?"Emmeline put her hand over Minnie's. "Don't ever say that. I couldn't stand losing either of you."Satisfaction softened Minnie's expression, encouraging E
Taehyung’s eyes twinkled mischievously. "Something tells me you won't be single for long, though."Understanding his hint about Zavian, Emmeline ducked her head as heat flooded her cheeks. "Maybe."She turned toward her brother Emile, who waited with the patience of someone used to family obligations. His expression revealed nothing."Congratulations, Emmeline," he offered, his tone measured.Emmeline responded with a small smile.Emile placed his hands on her shoulders, his voice taking on that big-brother seriousness she'd known all her life."A dark chapter of your life is over. Every door is open to you now. Choose the right path. Our family made a terrible mistake pushing you toward Richard. I hope you'll be smarter going forward."His pointed reference to Zavian made Emmeline's jaw clench, but she forced herself to appear agreeable. This wasn't the time or place."I've had enough pain to last a lifetime, Emile. I won't walk into more."Her brother studied her face, clearly suspic
Emmeline closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the sweetness of liberation. When she opened them again, she found Zavian watching her with an expression that contained unmistakable tenderness.She sat motionless, letting the words wash over her like warm sunlight after an endless storm.Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat a celebration of newfound freedom.The courtroom around her blurred into insignificance. Only Zavian remained in sharp focus, whose distinguished features softened by something deeper than satisfaction.Their eyes remained locked across the formal expanse of the courtroom, defying the crowd of spectators, attorneys, and court officials surrounding them.Zavian gazed at her with such intensity that Emmeline felt heat rise to her cheeks. The subtle curve of his lips spoke of personal triumph, of a private victory shared between them alone.She finally snapped out of their spellbound when the courtroom erupted into a cacophony of reactions.The chaos provided Em
The courtroom hummed with tension as everyone returned to their seats.Emmeline’s hands clasped tightly in her lap to hide their trembling. However, felt a strange calm beneath her nervousness. Today might finally mark her freedom from Richard.Brody rose from his seat with confidence. His tailored suit and commanding presence gave Emmeline a small measure of reassurance as he buttoned his jacket and addressed the court."I am Attorney Brody Park, representing the plaintiff, Emmeline Lawson," he announced.While Brody spoke with unwavering authority, Emmeline found her attention drifting to Zavian.The man commanded respect without effort. With penetrating eyes that seemed to see through pretense and his expression remained neutral as he listened to the proceedings."My client has filed for divorce and is seeking damages against her husband, Richard Maine," Brody continued. "The grounds for this petition are irreconcilable differences and, more significantly, the pattern of physical vi
Emile released his grip on Emmeline's arms and exhaled deeply. "That's somewhat comforting."He took a seat in the front row while Emmeline proceeded to the plaintiff's table with Brody at her side.Brody’s expression shifted from contemplation to something sharper and more predatory. "I was looking forward to another round against Yuna," he admitted with a competitive gleam lighting his eyes. "I wanted to outmaneuver her in her own field and prove once and for all that I'm the superior divorce attorney. It's rather disappointing."Emmeline regarded him with barely concealed disapproval. "This divorce represents my entire future," she reminded him sharply. "Your attitude about it being some sort of professional competition is deeply troubling."They settled into their seats behind the prosecution table, and Emmeline added with admonishment, "I don't appreciate you viewing my personal trauma as just another notch in your professional belt."Brody placed his briefcase on the table and fo
The kitchen door slammed shut behind Yuna.The thick tension she'd brought with her lingered for a few seconds, then faded away, leaving Emmeline alone with her ragged breathing and wounded pride.Barely a moment passed before the door swung open again. Noel poked his head in, then stepped fully into the kitchen with worry plastered all over his usually chill face.His eyes darted around before landing on Emmeline."Thank God she's gone.” His shoulders dropped with obvious relief.He ran fingers through his hair and let out a huge breath. "Lucky she didn't show up during lunch rush. Can you imagine the drama with all those customers watching?"Then he really looked at Emmeline and his eyes widened.Her waist-length waves normally her best feature was in a tangled mess around her shoulders. Angry red prints marked her cheek, and her white blouse was rumpled."My God." The words came out barely above a whisper. He rushed over, stopping just short of touching her. "What the hell happened
Emmeline's mind raced back, trying to remember where Zavian had been, what he had told her about that night.Had he actually been with Yuna?"Why are you telling me this?" Emmeline’s voice sounded hollow. "Why not just tell him about the baby and let him make his choice?"Yuna's expression softened slightly. "Because I know my husband," she said quietly. "He has a strong sense of duty. If he knows I'm carrying his child, he'll feel obligated to stay with me, to give our baby a proper family. But if he's torn between that duty and his feelings for you..." She trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air."You want me to make the choice for him," Emmeline realized aloud. "You want me to walk away so he never has to know."Yuna nodded slowly. "It would be better for everyone," she insisted. "He wouldn't have to choose between his child and his... infatuation. You wouldn't have to live with the guilt of separating a father from his child. And I wouldn't have to raise this baby alon
Emmeline blinked rapidly as her mind refused to process the devastating news.The world around her seemed to slow, sounds becoming muffled as though she were underwater. Her chest constricted painfully, making each breath a conscious effort."What?" The single word escaped her lips as a strangled whisper.Yuna's lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. With deliberate slowness, she placed her hand over her stomach in a protective, almost reverent gesture."I said I'm pregnant." Each syllable was delivered with precision. Her gaze remained fixed on Emmeline's face, drinking in every flicker of devastation with undisguised satisfaction.The room tilted precariously. Emmeline's hands fell limply to her sides, fingers suddenly numb and disconnected from her body. Blood drained from her face, leaving her skin ashen against the pristine white of her shirt. Her mind raced frantically, desperately searching for any explanation other than the one hammering at her consciousness."By