Chapter 7
In the days that followed, Emma lived like a ghost in her own home.
She watched as Braydon bent over backward to please Caitlin–how he came up with new ways every day to make her smile, how he prepared her tonics, and how he even pushed back company meetings just to cheer her up.
One day, when Braydon was out, Caitlin deliberately blocked Emma’s path, her nose in the air as she gloated.
“So what if you married Braydon? He promised me that this baby will carry his last name–and more than that, he’ll be the sole heir to the Lederer Group! And the one you’re carrying? Just a bastard.”
Emma was headed downstairs to get a glass of water. Without even glancing at her, she turned slightly to move past.
That indifference set Caitlin off.
“Emma, are you still pretending to be better than everyone when you’re already this pathetic?”
She suddenly lunged forward and shoved Emma hard.
Caught off guard, Emma stumbled backward.
Everything spun. Then came a dull, sickening thud as the back of her head struck the stair railing–and the world went black.
When she woke up, she was already in the hospital.
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Braydon stood at the bedside, and the first thing out of his mouth was a harsh accusation. “It wasn’t enough that you got Caitlin’s parents hurt–you had to push her down the stairs too? Are you seriously telling me you didn’t know she was pregnant?”
Each word stabbed her straight through the heart.
Emma gave a shaky laugh, her whole body trembling from it.
“Braydon,” she rasped, “do I look like an idiot to you?”
“What?”
“If I wanted to hurt her,” she said slowly, propping herself up, “why am I the one lying in a hospital bed right now?”
“Because you panicked after pushing her and threw yourself down the stairs to make it look like an accident!” Braydon’s eyes burned with disappointment. “Emma, I don’t even recognize you anymore. You agreed to let Caitlin stay, so why stoop to something so low?”
He turned toward the door. “I’m not coming back. You need to think about what you’ve done.”
With that, he walked out, slamming the hospital room door behind him.
Emma stared at the ceiling, her eyes welling with silent tears.
She took a slow, steady breath and repeated to herself, “It’s almost over. Just a little longer.”
The day she was discharged was also the day the mandatory divorce cooling–off period ended.
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Chapter 7
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Emma went straight to the courthouse and picked up the divorce certificate.
Back at the house, she began packing up her things, finally ready to leave it all behind.
As she dragged her suitcase downstairs, Braydon walked in unexpectedly.
“What are you doing?” He frowned, eyeing the luggage. “You just got out of the hospital, and you’re already donating stuff again?”
He thought she was once again giving away all the luxury goods he’d bought her.
Emma didn’t bother explaining.
Braydon stepped closer and pulled out a gilded invitation from his suit pocket. “Caitlin’s kind–hearted–she’s letting bygones be bygones. It’s her birthday today. Grab a nice gift and come with me.”
Emma was about to decline when his phone rang.
Caitlin’s sweet voice floated out. “Braydòn, where are you? Everyone’s waiting…”
“I’m on my way,” Braydon replied warmly, then turned to Emma. “It’s getting late. I’ll head over first. You go finish your ‘donating‘ and meet us there. Don’t forget the gift.”
With that, he walked out.
Emma stared after him, then suddenly laughed.
Oh, she’d bring a gift, alright–one that no one would ever forget.
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She placed the divorce certificate and the miscarriage report neatly into a gift box and called a courier.
“Deliver it to this address,” she said calmly. “Make sure they open it in front of everyone.”
Once the courier was gone, Emma rolled her suitcase out the door without looking back.
The sun was shining brightly.
She took a deep breath and stepped forward into her new life.
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