Chapter 6
Even their marriage certificate was fake.
She'd never been his wife—just a stand-in for Claire. And now that the real thing was back, he didn't even bother pretending anymore.
He'd offered her up to those businessmen for Claire's sake.
He'd left her in that broken elevator to face her worst fears alone.
And finally, he'd gone to bed with Claire.
The memories hit her all at once. Emily buried her face in her hands as tears slipped through her fingers.
She swore to herself that this would be the last time she ever cried for Matthew.
After tonight, he would never have the power to break her again.
*****
The next morning, she checked herself out of the hospital.
Back at Grant Villa, Emily quietly began packing her things.
Her passport, her own clothes, her old shoes—she only took what truly belonged to her. Everything Matthew had ever given her went straight into the trash.
Finally, she slipped the ring off her finger and tossed it in after the rest.
Just then, the door swung open. Emily froze. It was Matthew.
"Hey, honey." His brows knitted slightly as he walked toward her, scanning her from head to toe. "I went to the hospital, but the nurse said you'd already left. Why didn't you wait for me to pick you up?"
Emily almost laughed.
Did he actually remember she existed?
"I could manage on my own," she said flatly, eyes lowered.
Matthew's gaze landed on the trash bin. His frown deepened. "What's all this?"
"Things I don't want anymore," Emily said, her voice trembling. "I'm throwing them out. Time for something new."
He bent down and picked up the wedding ring from the pile. His tone hardened. "And this? You think this can be replaced too?"
Emily pressed her lips together and turned away, refusing to answer.
Realizing she was upset, Matthew softened his voice. "Honey, I know I've been busy lately. I've been neglecting you, but once things settle down, I promise I'll make it up to you."
He reached out, gently cupping her cheek. "How about a trip overseas? Just the two of us?"
Emily didn't even flinch. She'd heard enough of his lies to know better by now.
Matthew thought she was still sulking. With a faint sigh, he pulled her closer, trying to kiss her like he used to.
But the moment his lips brushed hers, Emily's stomach turned. All she could think of was how those same lips had touched Claire.
She pulled back, her voice calm but cold. "I'm tired. I want to rest."
Instead of getting angry, Matthew smiled faintly, "Then I'll rest with you."
Before Emily could respond, a voice came from outside the door. "Mr. Grant, Ms. Hayes has been waiting at the charity gala. The painting auction's about to start."
Matthew's eyes lit up. He turned back to Emily and grabbed her hand. "Perfect timing. Come with me. I'll buy you a painting you like."
Completely confused, Emily let him pull her into the car. It wasn't until they arrived at the gala that she realized what was really going on. The paintings being auctioned were hers—all of them.
Matthew didn't bring her to buy anything. He needed her there to sign off the rights so he could sell every last one of her works.
Emily froze as she looked around the hall, her eyes widening in disbelief. Every wall was covered with her oil paintings.
Before their marriage, Matthew had built her a private art museum just to win her heart, and he'd even named it after her.
It was called Emily's Gallery.
Every piece in this place represented years of her work and passion.
But now, right in front of her, Matthew was auctioning off her paintings and the entire museum itself.