Chapter 2

Eventually, the ringing stopped.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, and then laughed.

For the first time in my life, I had ignored Emmett. Doing what I wanted felt strangely exhilarating.

But I knew him too well. He would never let this go.

So when I opened the door and saw him standing there, eyes bloodshot with fury, I wasn't surprised at all.

"Catalina, you've really outdone yourself," Emmett snarled.

"What?" I replied flatly, stepping past him to change my shoes before heading upstairs.

Guess he just snapped from being ignored. Emmett chucked the ashtray from the coffee table and nailed me right in the temple.

White-hot pain exploded in my head, but If I went upstairs with my head bleeding like this, would I freak Lisa out?

Emmett clearly hadn't expected to nail me like that. He sounded totally freaked out.

"Catalina, are you okay? I swear I didn't mean it, I just lost it for a second. L-let me get the first aid kit, okay?" he stammered.

"First aid kit? Do you even know where it is? How many times have you actually lived in this house?" Emmett's words made me laugh despite myself. His heart had always belonged to Annika, so this sudden concern for me felt almost ironic, strangely flattering, in a way.

I went to the storage room, grabbed the first aid kit, treated the wound quickly, then headed upstairs.

Emmett followed without another word, silent but persistent.

In the nursery, my little angel was absorbed in her toys, smiling to herself.

A dull ache crept into my chest.

She was still so young, yet she already had to face her parents' divorce.

After Lisa finally fell asleep, I slipped out quietly.

"So," I asked, looking at Emmett with thinning patience, "have you finished reviewing the divorce papers?"

His expression darkened instantly. "What's that supposed to mean? We've been married for five years, and now you pull something like this? Catalina, you're not a child. I'm sick of these childish stunts. You pulled the same thing five years ago. I'm done with it."

"When are you going to grow up and be more like Annika?" he snapped.

Annika, Annika, Annika. It was always her.

That was it. I couldn't take it anymore. I slapped him hard. This was the man who had wasted all the years I'd given him my heart.

"Are you done?" I said coldly. "Emmett, can you act like an adult for once and deal with this properly? The divorce papers were drafted by a lawyer. And you keep bringing up Annika. What, do you want my lawyer to dig up evidence of you cheating behind my back?"

"I've tolerated you long enough. I'm not letting my child suffer because of you anymore. So do both of us a favor and stop throwing tantrums in front of me."

The fire drained from him in an instant. He stared at me in disbelief, as if I were the villain here.

"Catalina! How many times do I have to say it? Annika and I are just friends. Why do you always make such a big deal out of nothing?"

"Yes, I messed up and canceled the overseas trip," he added, his voice faltering. "But that was because of Annika... she..."

I stopped listening. Talking to him felt meaningless.

I no longer cared about whatever was going on between him and Annika. Jealousy had died a long time ago. My heart was nothing but cold ashes now. No spark left for Emmett to reignite.

I walked into my bedroom and began packing my daily necessities.

Emmett followed me in, sticking close like something I couldn't shake off. It was revolting.

Sure enough, when he saw me packing, he exploded again. "Catalina, I've already been extremely patient today. How many chances have I given you to save face? Why can't you just admit you're wrong, swallow your pride, and apologize?"

"Now you're packing? Who are you trying to put on a show for? Enough with the drama. If you insist on this, then get out of this house and never come back."

Luckily, I wasn't the woman I used to be. The old me would've crawled back to him, begging for forgiveness like a pathetic stray.

"I'm out of here. If you want to fight over the assets, talk to my lawyer," I said, not even sparing Emmett a glance.

I just kept packing, totally ignoring him.

I packed everything that belonged to Lisa. She was my family. I wouldn't let anyone else touch her, not even Emmett, no matter how deeply I had once loved him.

Emmett stormed out again.

I knew exactly who he was going to see.