Chapter 3
Marcus was utterly stunned. How could she know all this in such detail?
He demanded, "You had me followed?"
"I just wanted the truth," Emily said calmly. "And now that I have it, we can finally end this farce."
She reached into her purse, pulled out a folder, and slid it across the table toward him.
"Divorce papers. I've already signed them. All you have to do is sign."
Marcus looked down at the papers, something hollow punching through him.
This was what he wanted. What he needed was to be with Summer. So why couldn't he feel relief?
"What about assets? You don't want anything?"
She shook her head. "I don't want your money. I want my freedom."
He looked at her and saw a strength he never knew she possessed.
"Are you sure about this?"
"I'm sure," she said, standing up. "Marcus, thank you for everything. From this point on, we owe each other nothing."
She turned to leave, but he found himself calling out her name.
"Emily."
She turned back, and for a fleeting second, he saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something. But the only words that came out were, "Take care."
The hope in her eyes died, instantly replaced by a cool calm.
"You too," she replied softly.
And with that, she walked out without a single look back.
Marcus sat alone, staring at the unsigned divorce papers for a long time.
He should be happy. Emily had made it easy for him. He was free to be with Summer and free from the guilt and the lies.
So why did it feel like he had just lost the only real thing he ever had?
His phone rang, jarring him from his stupor. It was Summer.
"Marcus, where are you? I want to see you."
He looked down at the divorce papers. With a deep breath, he picked up the pen and scrawled his name.
He replied, "I'm on my way."
Half an hour later, he was standing outside the presidential suite at the Hartswell Grand.
Summer opened the door, dressed in a slinky silk robe that clung to her curves. She threw her arms around his neck.
She said, "You're finally here! I was starting to worry."
Marcus gently detached himself and held out the signed papers. "It's done."
A flash of triumph lit her eyes before she expertly masked it with a look of wide-eyed surprise.
"So soon? She just agreed?"
"It was her idea," Marcus said, slumping onto the sofa. A wave of exhaustion washed over him.
Summer moved behind him, her fingers beginning to knead the tense muscles in his shoulders.
"You don't seem happy, Marcus. What's wrong?"
He closed his eyes, trying to sink into her touch.
This was the moment he had dreamed of for three years. So why did it all feel so hollow?
He blurted out, "Nothing. Just tired."
Summer leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. "Then let's not talk. Let's just relax."
Her hands began to roam lower, but he suddenly stood up, moving away from her.
"Summer, I'm not in the mood tonight. I think I just need to be alone."
Her face fell. "What is it? Is it because of her?"
"No," he lied, shaking his head. "I just need time to process everything."
She bit her lip and forced a nod. "Okay. Go home and get some rest. But Marcus, I hope you can put the past behind you quickly. We have a new life to start."
He nodded numbly and left the hotel.
When he walked into his house, the emptiness swallowed him whole.
All of Emily's things were gone. It was as if she had never lived there at all.
Marcus walked into the master bedroom and saw a small box on his nightstand.
He opened it. Inside was a handsome watch and a folded note.
Emily: [Marcus, I heard today was your birthday. I wanted to get you something. I know things are ending between us, but I still hope you have a happy birthday.]
He picked up the watch. It was from his favorite designer, a notoriously expensive brand.
He knew what Emily's finances were like. Buying this would have been a significant sacrifice for her.
He remembered his mother's phone call and her stern instruction for Emily to prepare a gift.
Emily had actually done it. And she had chosen something so thoughtful.
Marcus sank onto the edge of the bed, an unnamable emotion swelling in his chest.
In three years, he had never shown her an ounce of warmth. He had never even told her when his birthday was.
Yet she had remembered, and she had cared enough to give him this.
Who was this woman?
His phone buzzed. It was Allison.
"Marcus, the negative press has been scrubbed from the internet. PR handled it."
"Good," Marcus muttered, barely paying attention.
"And I heard you and Emily are divorced?" Allison asked with a hopeful probe.
Marcus stiffened. News traveled fast.
"Who told you that?"
"It was Ms. Quinn. She called me a little while ago. She said we could finally be together now, out in the open."
Marcus frowned. How did Summer get Allison's number?
"When did she get your number?" he demanded.
Allison sounded flustered. "Maybe from the internal company directory? Marcus, you're not angry, are you?"
He ignored the question. "Allison, what exactly is our relationship?"
She was stunned into silence. "What do you mean? Aren't we a couple?"
"A couple?" he sneered. "When did I ever say that?"
The silence on the other end of the line was heavy. When she finally spoke, her voice was trembling, "Marcus, what are you saying? For the past six months, we've..."
"For the past six months, nothing has happened," he cut her off coldly. "If you thought that meant we were dating, you were mistaken."
"But you always..."
"I always what? Allison, I never showed you any romantic interest. That was all in your head."
He hung up, frustration spiking higher.
He had been close with Allison, but it had always been professional.
Had Allison really been deluding herself? Or had someone been feeding her ideas?
The thought of Summer calling Allison sent a shiver of unease down his spine.
The next morning, Marcus was in the middle of a board meeting when Leo knocked and entered.
"Mr. Hale, Mrs... I mean, Ms. Bennett is here. She says it's urgent."
Marcus blinked. Why would Emily come to the office?
"Let her in," he replied.
Emily strode into the conference room. Her face was pale, but her eyes burned with a righteous fury.
"Marcus, we need to talk."
Marcus gestured to the other executives. "Meeting's over. Everyone out."
Once the room was empty, Emily spoke, her voice trembling with rage.
"Your lovely ex-girlfriend is really something else. She already made her first move against me last night."
He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Emily took out her phone and played a recording.