Chapter 1

After I gave birth, my husband Emmett Burnett finally kept his promise, taking me to a trip.

But the moment we landed, he vanished.

I wandered alone through a foreign country, calling him again and again..

Two hours later, I accidentally scrolled past a post.

Annika Bates post a photo of her and Emmett feeding each other ice cream, smiling sweetly at the camera.

She wrote: [The one who truly cares about you will always keep you in their heart, no matter where they are.]

I stared at the screen for a long time before finally leaving a comment. [Then let Emmett keep you in his heart forever.]

I left behind the divorce papers and walked away. And Emmett, who had always been distant, panicked for the first time.

*****

As I wandered alone down Tenth Avenue in Eldarland, I realized I'd never known true despair until now.

Emmett Burnett had me running in circles like a clueless fool, a pitiful stray with nowhere to belong.

Emmett's message was still on my phone: [Catalina, something urgent came up at the office. I have to head back.]

The irony hit me hard, especially when I compared it to Annika Bates's post from just moments before. It was almost laughable.

In the photo, Emmett, who never even bothered to smile at me, was acting all sweet, feeding Annika ice cream.

She wrote: [The one who truly cares about you will always keep you in their heart, no matter where they are.]

Her friends jumped in with comments like: [Wishing Emmett and Annika a love that lasts forever!]

[Cracks me up, some women think having a baby will make Emmett stay, but guess what? Nope.]

I had been putting up with snarky comments like these for five years now.

The northwestern wind in Velorialand was bone-chilling. My nose stung from the cold, and my hands were shaking.

But in that photo, they were soaking up the summer sun, wrapped up in their own little world, all smiles and sweetness.

I let out a bitter laugh and typed out my reply, making sure every word hit home.

I wrote: [Then let Emmett keep you in his heart forever.]

Emmett, this time, I was the one walking away.

The weather was freezing, there was zero reception at the airport, and my flight kept getting delayed.

As if things couldn't get any worse; my phone was down to just three percent battery.

By the time I finally got my ticket, my phone just gave up on me and shut off for good.

I let out a weak, self-conscious laugh.

Secretly, I kept hoping Emmett would see my comment and maybe, just maybe, send me a message or give me a call.

I just stood there on Tenth Avenue, clutching my phone, rooted to the spot like a total idiot.

For two whole hours, all I saw were people cheering Emmett and Annika on, wishing them nothing but happiness.

I could practically feel their mocking stares burning into me.

Tears slid down my cheeks and reached the corner of my mouth. I finally lost control. I turned and rushed into the airport restroom, collapsing against the sink as sobs tore out of me.

The terminal was crowded, people hurrying past with rolling suitcases and tight schedules. As they brushed by, their glances lingered on me, some pitying, some impatient. Emmett used to look at me the same way, as if I were something pitiful and embarrassing.

I was still weak from giving birth. After standing in the freezing wind for four hours without food or water, my body was at its limit. My vision swam, my legs unsteady, as if I might black out at any second.

"Ma'am, are you alright? Do you need help?" someone asked.

The concern in that stranger's voice didn't comfort me. It only made the ache in my chest spread wider. Because even this small, ordinary kindness was something Emmett had never once given me.

Images flashed through my mind: me, begging Emmett to come home, looking utterly pathetic. He'd lock me up in the house like I was some unwanted mutt, sneering that I was pathetic for groveling so much.'

Yeah, to him, even breathing felt like a crime. What was the point of even being alive if I was nothing but a mistake in his eyes?

I shut my eyes, drowning in despair.

I passed out at the airport.

It was from anemia and heartbreak.

When I came to, the airport staff had already taken me to the hospital.

The doctor treating me was a guy, and he let me borrow his phone.

I knew this was it. I had to end things with Emmett, once and for all.

"Help me prepare the divorce papers," I said hoarsely. "I just want custody of my child. I don't want anything else. Just have them delivered to him."

Xzavier Hendrix was clearly startled by how sudden my decision was, but he didn't question it. Instead, his tone softened. "Alright. We're done with him," he said. "Catalina, you scared me these past few days. I couldn't reach you at all."

"Take care of yourself first," he added. "I'll handle the divorce."

I hung up and checked myself out of the hospital as quickly as I could.

I couldn't afford to fall apart. Lisa was only three months old. I had to get her out of here, no matter what. She was the only reason I was still breathing.

I never expected Emmett to call me right before boarding.

The phone rang again and again. I didn't answer. I just stared at the screen, frozen, time stretching unbearably long.