Chapter 2
The receptionist at the Grandview Hotel appeared young, with immaculate makeup.
"Excuse me, could you tell me when the guest in Room 1208 checked in?" I struggled to keep my voice steady.
The receptionist smiled politely but firmly, "I'm sorry, but we can not disclose guest information."
Emily walked over, pulled a credit card from her purse, and handed it to the receptionist. "This belongs to the guest in that room," she said. "He asked me to deliver something to him."
The receptionist examined the card, hesitated, and said, "Mr. Grant is indeed in Room 1208, but he specifically requested not to be disturbed."
My heart plummeted. Ethan was really here.
My voice trembled as I said, "I'm his fiancée. I need to see him. It's urgent."
The receptionist scrutinized us for a moment before finally relenting. She handed over the key card and said, "Please use this."
In the elevator, Emily squeezed my hand and asked softly, "Are you ready?"
I shook my head, then nodded. Of course, I was ready, but I dreaded what I might see.
The elevator stopped on the twelfth floor. The hallway was eerily quiet, save for our footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.
We paused at the door to Room 1208.
Muffled voices and a woman's flirtatious laughter seeped out from inside the room.
I swiped the key card and the door cracked open.
A voice, sweet and flirtatious, drifted out from the room. "Ethan, are you really getting married tomorrow?"
"Yes, but it won't change anything between us," Ethan said, his voice lazy and tinged with impatience. "Emma's got nothing going for her except being obedient."
"Then why are you still marrying her?" the woman asked.
"Her family's got certain connections that could benefit my career. And since she's so into me, she'll be easy to manipulate down the line," Ethan said coldly.
Tears instantly welled up in my eyes.
"Keep listening," Emily whispered in my ear.
"But I don't want you to marry her," Sophia cooed, her voice full of playful affection.
"Be good. Once my career is set, I'll cook up a reason to divorce her. By then, I'll have moved most of the assets. She won't get a dime," Ethan sneered.
"You're such a bad boy," Sophia cooed.
"That's just smart. Emma is such a gullible pushover. She'll do anything I ask. She actually thinks I love her? Please," Ethan sneered triumphantly. "All I need is a free maid and a personal ATM."
I couldn't take it anymore. Fueled by anger, I shoved the door open and stormed in.
Inside the room, Ethan and Sophia were locked in an embrace on the bed. The instant they saw me, both of them froze.
Ethan scrambled off the bed in a panic. "Emma? Why are you here?" he stammered. "Let me explain—"
My voice was icy cold. "Explain what? Explain why you called me a free maid and a personal ATM?"
Sophia wrapped herself in the sheets, a glint of triumph flashing in her eyes. "Emma, don't get the wrong idea. We were just—"
"Shut up." I glared at Ethan and said, "Ethan, tomorrow's wedding is off."
"Emma, please calm down. Our wedding is tomorrow. You can't just throw it all away in a moment of anger," Ethan pleaded.
I scoffed, "A moment of impulse, huh? Ethan, do you really think I'm that stupid?"
"That's not what I meant," Ethan said, stepping closer to me. "Emma, I love you. Sophia is just—"
"Just what? Just your plaything?" I took a step back, my voice shaking with anger. "That's enough, Ethan. We're through."
Ethan's face darkened. "Emma, think it through. All the guests will be there tomorrow. How am I supposed to explain this?"
"That's your problem to deal with," I said coldly, turning on my heel and walking away.
"Emma?" Ethan stormed after me. "Don't kid yourself. You'll be nothing without me. Who else would even want you?"
I stopped and turned to face him. "Ethan, you think too highly of yourself."
Emily followed silently behind me, saying nothing.
It wasn't until I stepped out of the hotel that I realized my legs were trembling uncontrollably.
Emily asked, "Now do you see the truth?"
I nodded, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. "He never loved me at all," I sobbed.
"That's right. Never," Emily said softly. "Emma, do you believe me now?"
"Yes," I said, wiping away my tears. "But what about tomorrow? We invited the guests and booked the venue. Mom is going to lose it when she finds out."
"Your mother?" Emily scoffed. "Do you honestly think she's on your side?"
I froze. "What do you mean?"
"Emma, do you know why Ethan mentioned your family connections benefiting his career for no reason?" she said.
"My family is just regular middle class," I explained.
"Your cousin David Rivers works at the City Planning Department, and Ethan's company just happens to have a project pending approval there." Emily's words hit me like a bucket of cold water. "Your mom knows about this. That's partly why she agreed to this marriage."
A wave of dizziness washed over me. "Am I just a tool for everyone?"
"Now, do you finally get it? To them, you're nothing but a tool," Emily said.
My phone suddenly rang. It was Mom.
"Emma, how are you coming along with the wedding preparations for tomorrow?" Her voice bubbled with excitement. "I just double-checked the guest list. It's going to be the event of the season."
"Mom, we need to talk," I said, my tone calm.
"What is it? Don't bother me with trivial matters. I'm swamped with wedding preparations for tomorrow. Oh, and David will be there, too. He mentioned that Ethan's project is moving along smoothly," she added.
My heart turned to ice. "Mom, I'm calling off the wedding."
The other end went silent for a few seconds. "What did you just say?"
"I said I'm not marrying Ethan," I repeated.
"Emma, are you out of your mind?" Mom's voice turned shrill. "The wedding is tomorrow, and you're telling me you don't want to get married?"
"Mom, Ethan cheated on me. I saw it," I explained.
Mom's words stunned me. "He cheated on you? No man is completely faithful. As long as he treats you well, that's all that matters. Emma, stop being ridiculous and get home immediately to prepare for tomorrow's wedding."
I snapped, "Mom, are you even listening to me? He cheated on me."
"I heard you. But what are you going to do? You're already 24. If you let a catch like Ethan slip away, where will you ever find another?" Mom snorted.
A good man? I let out a bitter laugh.
"Emma, listen up. The wedding must go on tomorrow. Otherwise, the Rivers family's reputation will be severely tarnished," she warned.
"Mom?" I tried to persuade her.
"Enough of that. Get home this instant," she snapped.
Mom hung up on me.
Staring at my phone, I was overwhelmed by a loneliness I'd never known before.
"Do you see now?" Emily said, her voice calm yet firm. "No one truly cares about how you feel. They only care about their interests and reputation."
I whispered, "So what do I do now?"
"Run." Emily's gaze was resolute. "Emma, run away from all of this."
"But where should I run to?" I hesitated.
"Go wherever you want, and do what you truly love. Haven't you always dreamed of opening your flower shop?" Emily suggested.
I suddenly remembered my dream, the one I'd kept buried deep in my heart all these years.
"But I'm not rich and I don't have any experience," I said.
"You have some savings, not much, but enough to start fresh." Emily squeezed my hand. "Emma, don't end up like I did."
The wind on the street was biting cold, yet a tiny flame of hope flickered to life in my heart.
Maybe this was my chance for a fresh start.