Chapter 2

Watching Emma walk away, Ethan finally realized just how harsh his words had been. He wasn't even sure what had gotten into him. Maybe it was the nightgown she had on—it reminded him of Lily Green. Or maybe it was just the shame from what he'd done after drinking. He grabbed a shirt from the closet without much thought. But just as he was about to head to the bathroom, something on the bed caught his eye—a faint trace of red on the sheet. Ethan froze, piecing things together. Her steps had been uneven when she left. He didn't know how to explain the mix of feelings swirling inside him. After standing still for a bit, he dropped onto the sofa and stayed there till daylight. ... Next morning, eight o'clock. Emma hadn't slept a wink because of what Ethan said. She lay in bed, holding the blanket tightly, tossing and turning until she finally sat up. She decided to make Ethan breakfast. She knew he didn't care for her, not the way she did for him. But she had been in love with Ethan for five whole years. Since they got married, she made him breakfast every morning. He usually ate it too... as long as he didn't know it was from her. Her soft cotton slippers made no sound on the carpeted stairs. Emma stepped into the kitchen and started cooking. At the same time, Ethan opened his eyes on the couch in the room. "Ow—" Just a slight movement and a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. He frowned. Had he really slept on the couch all night? He dragged himself into the bathroom for a quick shower. When he looked at the clock, it was only 8:30. He changed into a suit. Just as he opened the bedroom door, Emma came out of the kitchen with the last dish in her hands. The table was set perfectly, and for a moment, a small smile played on Emma's lips. She felt a little proud every time she managed this simple routine. Unfastening her apron, she was about to return it to the kitchen when a tall shadow appeared in front of her. "You—you're up?" she stammered, startled by Ethan's sudden presence. The apron slipped out of her hands and dropped to the floor. "Yeah." He usually didn't show up till nine. Today, he was up earlier than usual. "I'll just... head upstairs," she said quietly, forcing down the ache in her chest. She picked up the apron and started to leave. He didn't miss the way she avoided looking at him. His gaze shifted to the breakfast on the table. A couple of sunny-side-up eggs, crispy bacon, buttered toast, and a side of sautéed veggies—all neatly plated and surprisingly appetizing. Seeing how she couldn't even meet his eyes, something clicked in Ethan's mind. So it's been her making breakfast for him all along. As she turned to walk past him, something about the way she pulled away got under his skin. "I'm not eating. Have the maid take this away."Ethan said it lightly, not bothering to see how she reacted. He just turned around and walked out of the dining room. A while later, the sound of the front door shutting echoed through the house. Hearing that, Emma couldn't quite explain what she felt. It was like standing alone in an empty field — nothing but silence and emptiness all around. Let it go, Emma. You saw this coming, didn't you? She gave a bitter smile. Picking up the breakfast she had spent so much effort on, she quietly dumped it into the trash, along with whatever feelings she still held for Ethan. ... Two days later. Inside the manager's office at Daisy Design Company. "Emma, tonight's the Blossom Design Awards Night. I want you to come with me," Amy Lee said, adjusting her glasses as she looked up at the young woman in front of her. Emma hadn't been with the company long, but her skills were obvious. That's why Amy chose her for such a major event. "Okay, Amy." Emma's calm expression didn't show the slightest excitement. She wanted to smile, to at least pretend... but she couldn't. Ethan hadn't come home in two days. "Alright then, get ready. We'll head out together this afternoon," Amy waved her off casually, not bothering to hear more. Left alone, Emma slumped in her chair, resting her head on her arms. Her whole aura screamed exhaustion. Since their marriage, Ethan had always checked the boxes of a textbook husband. He came home on time unless he was on a business trip, topped up her bank account regularly, never treated her badly. But... he was cold. Distant. Never touched her. Then a few days ago — after they got a little too close, he just stopped coming home altogether. Emma had no clue what that meant. Did he hate her that much? ... Top floor of Hunt Group. CEO's office. "Mr. Hunt, according to your schedule, you're set to attend the Blossom Design Awards Night tonight. Also, you're expected to give a short speech." The assistant stood across the desk, going over the itinerary in full detail. "I got it. That'll be all." Ethan waved him off. Once alone, he got up and moved to stand by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. As he looked out at the traffic and bustle below, an odd emptiness crept into him. Three years. She'd been gone for three years. To this day, Ethan still avoided thinking about how Lily walked out of his life. As his thoughts wandered, another face uninvitedly popped into his mind— Emma. He barely paid attention to her this past year—his so-called wife. But lately, for reasons he couldn't understand, she kept appearing in his mind again and again. But every time he thought of her, that old memory came back—how Matthew Grace pressured him into giving up shares of Hunt Group, using their marriage as leverage to merge with the Grace family business. That's why he hadn't returned home these past few days. Not wanting to go down that road again, Ethan buzzed his intercom. "Hey Andy, what time does that gala kick off again?" "Seven p.m. sharp, Mr. Hunt."