Chapter 2

I listened to him, numb, my chest was tight with emotion.

I really didn't want to lose my temper. My mom always used to say, "Emily, don't get so worked up. It's not worth it.

"Just try to live peacefully, that's all.

"Let some things slide, and before you know it, decades will fly by.

"Look at me. I used to have so many complaints about your dad, but after he was gone, all I could remember was how good he was to me."

But Ryan really pushed me too far.

"You don't have to come. I'll talk to you when I get back," I said, my tone cold as ice.

I hung up, not giving him a chance to respond.

Ryan tried calling again, but I cut him off without hesitation.

His texts started flooding my phone. [Don't make a scene. Just wait for me, okay?

[If there was anyone else she could turn to, she wouldn't have come to me.

[She wanted to apologize to you for what happened last time, but I told her not to.

[Emily, you know how you are. I was afraid you'd lash out again.

[Can't we just live our lives in peace? Do you really have to get upset over every little thing?]

Ryan sent a flood of messages, but I just glanced through a few, barely paying attention.

By the time Grace and Alex got back, I switched off my phone and didn't bother with Ryan anymore.

Dinner was quiet, everyone caught up in their own thoughts.

When we reached my mom's grave, Grace and Alex hung back, giving me some space.

I sat down on the ground, staring at her photo; the longer I looked, the more the tears just started falling.

There were so many things I wanted to say, but the words just wouldn't come out.

It wasn't until I was about to leave that I finally spoke to her. "Sorry, Mom. I let the son-in-law you were so fond of slip away.

"You won't hold it against me, right?"

Just then, the wind stirred, as if Mom's hand was gently stroking my cheek.

I held back my tears and walked down the mountain without looking back.

*****

The next day, I took the train back to Bayview City.

While I was on the train, the divorce papers from my lawyer popped up on my phone.

I went through it carefully and had the lawyer fix a couple of minor things.

I didn't ask for his company. I had other plans for that.

But I took all the cash and property we owned together.

Altogether, it was worth over ten million dollars.

But to my surprise, I ran into Ryan at the train station.

We stared at each other, and right next to him was Sophie, who'd just had surgery yesterday.

Guess it wasn't as serious as they made it sound.

She was already out of bed the next day, looking fresh and flawless, like nothing even happened.

Sophie's eyes were red from crying as she quickly said, "Don't blame him, okay? I'm the one who pushed him to come find you.

"Of course I know my wife matters more than any friend.

"I called him because I figured he had nothing going on during the holidays and could lend a hand.

"I didn't realize he kept it from me that he was heading to your place, just so I wouldn't get anxious. I'm really sorry.

"Hope you're not mad at him?"

Ryan came to his senses and automatically stepped in front of Sophie, shielding her from me.

I'd hit Sophie once before.

After that, Ryan always kept me away from her.

Ryan's voice was calm but firm as he spoke.

"This is my fault. Don't take it out on her," he said.

Watching them together, I couldn't help but think they were both protecting each other, never missing a beat.

I nodded and glanced at Sophie.

"Since you're already here, why not come over to my place?" I said.

Sophie's eyes went wide, and Ryan's face darkened as he frowned.

I shot Ryan a mocking smile. "Didn't you say there's nothing between you two?

"If you guys are just friends, don't tell me you're afraid to bring her home."

I walked ahead, with Ryan and Sophie trailing behind me.

Ryan said, "Don't be so snarky. It's really not cool.

"She's just a young woman. You really freaked her out last time. She wouldn't dare come over again."

I stopped and looked past him at Sophie.

Our eyes met, and Sophie suddenly smirked, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "Since you're inviting me, of course I'll go."

I looked at Ryan again. "Be a man, Ryan. Even she's braver than you."

*****

As soon as I got home, I headed straight to the study.

I printed out the divorce papers, stapled them together, and handed them to Ryan in the living room.

"Take a look. If everything's fine, just sign them," I said. "You can grab your things and leave with her today.

"My mom put in 70,000 dollars for the company's initial shares, but I'm letting that go.

"Everything else—our cash and the house—goes to me. The company is yours."

I said it all in one breath, and Ryan's face went from shocked to furious.

Ryan snapped, "Are you out of your mind?

"Did your mom ever know about this?"

"You went through all this trouble just to say that? There's a limit to how much drama you can make."

I lowered my gaze and spoke calmly. "I've already told her.

"What mother doesn't want her child to be happy?

"She was good to you because she wanted you to treat me well. No matter how much she liked you, her own child would always come first.

"So you don't have to worry about what she thinks."

As I finished speaking, I shot a glance at Sophie.

Sophie couldn't wipe the smirk off her face, and the way she looked at Ryan was like she already had him in the bag.

I kept smiling at Ryan.

"After all the drama between us, do you really think my mom would still be nice to you?" I said.

Ryan's anger flared even more.

"What did you tell her this time?" he snapped. "How many times do I have to say it? Nothing happened between me and Sophie."

I threw the divorce papers right in his face, my voice cold as ice. "So you think as long as you two didn't hook up, nothing counts?

"Who did you adjust the passenger seat for, huh?

"Our wedding anniversary, my birthday, my mom's birthday Did you even remember any of those?

"Was there even a single special day this year that you didn't spend with her?

"What, does she not have any other friends or family left in the world?

"Does she really need you, someone else's husband, to babysit her for a routine surgery?

"Ryan, we're all adults here. Don't play me for a fool, alright?"

I started out calm, but by the end, my voice was shaking.

But Ryan kept a cold face and insisted, "I'm not getting a divorce!"

He added, "If we get divorced, your mom will be devastated!"

I blurted out, "My mom's gone! How could she be devastated?"