Chapter 5
Emily looked like she could finally breathe again.
"Alex, thank you," she said softly.
I looked at her.
"You're thanking me too soon," I said.
"I'm not calling the cops yet—I'm just making sure I've got all the evidence," I added.
Emily stood there, completely paralyzed—her whole body stiff, unable to move or say a word.
I kept going.
"Ryan jumping into the pool just to pin it on me—that's one thing," I said.
"But you guys forcing a blood draw, faking my signature, and locking me up? That's a whole different crime," I added.
"And that spousal property trust agreement? Don't tell me you didn't have it all set up before tonight," I said.
"Attorney Mason, I suggest you go check the criminal code," I added.
Attorney Mason's face went ghostly pale, and he took a half-step back.
Ryan finally couldn't keep up the act anymore.
He looked up, and there was pure malice in his eyes.
"Alex, are you really going to ruin Emily?" Ryan spat, his voice full of venom.
I raise an eyebrow.
"Didn't you just say she was innocent?" I shot back.
Ryan was left speechless.
Emily was stunned, too.
I gave a cold laugh.
"What, already forgot your lines?" I mocked.
Ryan gritted his teeth, his face twisted with rage.
"If you so much as mess with the Lane Family, Emily will never forgive you," Ryan spat.
I shot a look at Emily.
"Would you ever forgive me?" I asked.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Alex, I" she started, her voice trembling.
"Forget it," I cut her off.
I cut her off.
"Whether you forgive me or not, it makes no difference to me," I said coldly.
As soon as I said that, her eyes instantly filled with tears.
"Alex, you can't just say that," Emily choked out.
"We've been married for three years. How can you act like it means nothing?" she added, her voice breaking.
I stared at her.
"When you forged my signature earlier, did it cross your mind we were husband and wife?" I shot back.
"When you forced me to give blood, did you remember we were supposed to be family?" I pressed.
"Did you remember we were family when you used my mom to threaten me?" I added.
Emily was so shaken by my words, she took two steps back.
Ryan crawled over and tugged at her dress.
"Emily, don't let him mess things up between us," Ryan pleaded.
"He's just trying to make you hate me," he said, his voice shaking.
Emily looked down at him, and for the first time, I saw real hesitation in her eyes.
"Ryan, the video it's real," she whispered, barely able to get the words out.
Ryan shook his head, tears streaming down his face.
"I admit I jumped into the pool," Ryan choked out.
"But I never thought Alex would actually toss me overboard," he sobbed, his voice trembling.
"Emily, you saw it yourself—there was murder in his eyes. He really wanted me dead," Ryan pleaded, his voice shaking.
I nodded.
"Yeah, you got that part right," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
Everyone was stunned.
I walked over and crouched down in front of him.
"Ryan, you survived just because the safety net saved your ass," I said, my voice icy.
"Next time, you better hope your luck doesn't run out," I added.
Emily immediately stepped in front of him, shielding Ryan from me.
"Alex, stop threatening him," she said, her voice trembling.
I looked at her.
"See what I mean?" I said.
"The whole video played, and your first instinct is still to jump in and protect him," I added.
Her face went ghostly pale.
"I'm just scared you'll do something reckless again," Emily said, her voice shaky.
I stood up.
"Don't worry," I said, my voice cold as ice.
"I'm completely calm," I added.
"Calm enough to divorce you," my tone flat and final.
Emily's eyes went wide, her pupils shrinking in shock.
"Divorce?" she blurted out, her voice trembling.
Ryan's eyes flashed with a hint of excitement, but he instantly switched to looking devastated.
"Alex, don't do this," Ryan begged, his voice shaky.
"Emily can't live without you," he said, his voice cracking like he was about to lose it.
I looked at him.
"Wipe that smirk off your face," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
Ryan's expression froze, caught off guard by my words.
Emily didn't even spare Ryan a glance—she rushed over and grabbed my hand.
"Alex, I can't accept this," Emily said, her voice shaking.
I slowly pulled my hand away.
"Doesn't matter if you agree or not—my lawyer will be contacting you first thing tomorrow," I said, my tone icy and final.
Her tears fell.
"Are you really serious?" she asked, her voice trembling.
I looked at her.
"Emily, I've never been more serious in my life," I said, my voice ice cold.