Chapter 5
Upon hearing my words, Emmitt seemed momentarily stunned, disbelief flickering in his eyes. He likely expected that, as before, I would yield and retreat. But this time, much to his surprise...
"Make sure to sign the papers, or this will get much worse."
I rasped as I stood up to leave. Gia suddenly seized my arm.
"Natalie, what's the point? Mr. Turner was just teasing. Why let it upset you?"
"Get lost!"
I shook off her grip. Other colleagues stepped in, attempting to mediate.
"Natalie, why spoil such a happy occasion like Thanksgiving?"
"Exactly, you and Mr. Turner are a pair; can't you just talk it through?"
Before I could respond, Emmitt, his face stern, interjected, "Let her go! She thinks a little threat will shake me?"
Gia tried to play the peacemaker again, reaching to hold me.
"Natalie, come on..."
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a mocking whisper.
"Your husband sure knows how to have fun!"
Rage surged through me, and I shoved her away, catching the satisfied glint in her eyes.
"Oh dear!"
Gia cried as she hit the floor. Seeing this, Emmitt shook with anger and shoved me aside.
"Are you trying to dig your own grave today?! Everyone, out!"
With his command, everyone sighed with relief and hurried out. Even Gia, who wanted to linger, was driven away.
Once the room was empty except for the two of us, Emmitt wore a grim look.
"What do you want? You want to humiliate me in front of everybody?"
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"Do you really care about humiliation? What about when you were making me look stupid?"
Emmitt frowned, recalling something, his voice defensive.
"Is this about Gia again? Haven't I told you there's nothing between us! Can't you stop being so petty?"
The tension inside me snapped completely, and the emotions I'd buried erupted fiercely.
"Yes! I am petty!"
I shouted.
"I can't stand my husband being ambiguously close with another woman every day."
"I can't stand another woman wandering around in my bathrobe, in my home, flirting with my husband!"
"I can't stand a schemer constantly goading me in my own house!"
All the suppressed feelings poured out, but it brought no relief—only a heavier, aching heart.
Indeed, reopening a wounded heart only causes more pain.
Emmitt was taken aback. He hadn't expected my sudden explosion. After a long pause, he spoke softly.
"I thought you never cared."
I laughed coldly. Not care?
No sane person would tolerate this.
No wife could accept her husband openly flirting with another woman.
To say I don’t care? No one wouldn’t care!
Except me.
I don't care anymore. My heart has been broken too many times by disappointment and hurt. Or maybe, I've simply stopped loving.
I breathed deeply and offered him a sad smile.
"Sorry for my outburst."
"I'll send over the divorce papers soon. Make sure to sign them."