Chapter 7

When Andrew saw Emily and Vivian, he pulled himself together, and his gaze shifted to the bandage wrapped around Emily's head. "How did you hurt your head?"

Emily replied calmly, "When you shoved me, I hit my head against the wall."

Andrew froze for a moment, then said awkwardly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I didn't realize you got hurt."

Emily said coolly, "You were too busy feeling sorry for Olivia to even notice I was hurt."

Andrew was silent for a long moment, then finally spoke, exhaustion written all over his face, "Emily, this is all on me. I couldn't control myself.

"I'll end things with Olivia, and I'll do right by you. Leave her alone. Don't bully her, okay?"

Emily was stunned into silence.

She thought, 'Bully? Seriously? What a ridiculous thing to say. It seems I'm some evil woman tearing apart true love.'

As he finished speaking, they suddenly heard a young nurse scream from the hallway. "Oh my god! Someone tried to kill herself. She cut her wrist."

Andrew's face instantly turned ghostly pale, panic flashing across his features as he hurried out of the room.

Vivian immediately snapped, "You're not going anywhere!"

Completely ignoring Vivian's words, Andrew forcefully shoved Emily out of his way and stormed out of the hospital room.

Emily was totally blindsided. The force of his shove sent her sprawling to the floor.

Vivian rushed over, crouching down to help her up, tears streaming down her face. "Emily, are you okay?"

Emily looked at Vivian, tears in her eyes. "Vivian, I will divorce Andrew."

Vivian's face went pale when she heard it. She sank down beside her, completely stunned.

Emily had grown up under Vivian's care, and to Vivian, she was like a daughter.

No one ever thought Andrew and Emily would end up like this.

Vivian met Emily's tear-filled eyes and sighed. "The Foster family has let you down."

Emily had hit her head and suffered a mild concussion, so the doctor told her to stay in the hospital for the night to be monitored.

After Vivian left, Emily lay back down on her hospital bed. But then, the door to her room was suddenly pushed open.

Andrew walked in, his face completely expressionless.

His usually immaculate suit was now stained with dried blood, looking completely disheveled.

His voice was cold as ice. "Olivia's alive, but she lost a lot of blood and hasn't woken up yet. Are you satisfied now, after all this mess?"

Emily tilted her head up, locking eyes with Andrew. His eyes were bloodshot, full of determination and a chilling resolve.

Under the covers, her hand balled into a tight fist. Emily smirked coldly, spitting out each word, "Only when she's dead will I be satisfied."

Andrew's eyes narrowed sharply. "Emily, how could you become so heartless?"

Emily let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Isn't this all your gift to me, courtesy of you and Olivia?"

Andrew squeezed his eyes shut in pain, and when he opened them again, his gaze was unwavering. "Emily, I know I've hurt you, but I-I can't give up on Olivia.

"I'll do everything I can to make it up to you, but I can't leave her behind.

"Olivia and I have already agreed, no matter what happens, you'll always be my wife. She won't try to take your place.

"From now on, I'll love you both. I'll do my best as your husband, and I'll take care of her, too."

Andrew wasn't asking but telling Emily.

Olivia had come out on top.

Emily knew this would be the outcome the second Andrew stormed out. But hearing Andrew say it out loud still brought pain to Emily's heart that was beyond words.

Emily's voice shook as she stared at him, barely holding herself together. "You think I won't divorce you?"

Andrew gave a casual, almost mocking smile, a subtle hint of disdain in his eyes. "After everything, you still stayed, didn't you?"

Emily was left speechless; the pain stuck in her throat like a thorn.

So that was it. More than three months ago, all those lines she kept giving ground on were, in his eyes, nothing more than a free pass for him to do as he pleased.

Emily's eyes filled with tears. "Andrew, you're bullying me."

Andrew stepped closer, leaning down to look at her pale face, his voice softening a little as he reached out and gently touched her cheek. "Emily, I still love you. But life is so long. Can't you let me drift for a while?"

Emily stared at his face. It was familiar, yet suddenly so strange and unsettling.