Chapter 4

As the party carried on, a business partner walked up to Noah and raised his glass with a broad grin. "Mr. Lockridge, I heard rumors that you and your wife weren't getting along, but this is clearly nonsense!" Then, he turned to Bella and beamed. "Best wishes to you and your wife for a happy and lasting marriage!" Noah froze before his eyes instinctively flicked toward Emily. He half-expected her to agitatedly rush over and argue that she was his wife. But she stayed seated on a couch in the corner, quietly nibbling a piece of cake. She didn't even bother to lift her head as if none of this had anything to do with her. For some reason, Noah felt oddly uncomfortable, but he said nothing and didn't try to explain either. During the gift-giving, he pulled out a delicate velvet box and opened it to reveal a diamond bracelet. Emily's hands trembled slightly when she noticed the bracelet. She recognized it as an heirloom from Noah's grandmother, Penelope Winthrop, intended for his wife. But later, Noah had taken it back with some offhand excuse. She'd never asked why and pretended she'd never received it at all. And now, he slipped it onto Bella's wrist right there in front of everyone. Watching the scene, Emily let out a quiet laugh. She should have realized all along that he'd never seen her as a wife. By now, she should have given up on that thought. Halfway through the party, she'd had enough and turned to leave. Behind her, Bella suddenly gasped. "Oh, my bracelet's gone!" Guests in the ballroom exchanged awkward glances and whispers. "I swear I had it on when I went to the restroom…" Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled like she might cry any second. Then, she turned to Emily and hesitantly continued, "Emily, didn't you just come out of the restroom too?" Emily stared at her in disbelief. But before she could speak, Noah strode over and demanded in a cold voice. "Hand it over." "I didn't take it." Her voice cracked. Noah said nothing and gave the bodyguard a nod. The latter stepped forward and reached for her bag. "I said I didn't take it!" Emily instinctively clutched the strap, but the bodyguard forcefully snatched the bag away. When its contents were spilled onto the floor, the diamond bracelet rolled out onto the carpet, gleaming with a harsh light. Noah bent down to pick it up and stared at her with a cold look. "This is what you call not taking it?" Emily opened her mouth but could barely say a word. She knew it didn't matter what she said because he wouldn't believe her. "Are you upset that I'm giving this to Bella? Even so, you shouldn't steal it. Is this the best your upbringing taught you?" Emily's eyes welled up in tears under his harsh words, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. As he looked up at her, his eyes were cold and detached as he said, "It doesn't suit you. Some things were never meant to be yours." Her heart clenched tightly, knowing that he wasn't just talking about the bracelet. Bella tugged gently at his arm and murmured, "It's fine, Noah. It's my birthday, and let's not let this ruin the night." She turned to Emily and sighed. "Maybe it's just a misunderstanding." Noah said nothing as he slipped the bracelet back onto Bella's wrist and announced, "The party's over. Go home." Then, he turned to leave with Bella. Just before he did, he threw Emily one final sentence. "Walk back and think about what you've done." The ballroom was out in the suburbs. As dark night fell over the sky, Emily stepped out in her heels, walking down the lonely road. Blisters bloomed on her feet, but she barely felt anything. By the time she got home, the sun had just risen over the horizon. She'd just entered the door when her phone rang. Penelope's voice rang through, sharp with outrage. "Emily, I heard what happened tonight. Noah has gone too far this time! I'll call him right now and have him bring that bracelet back to you!" Changing into her shoes, Emily closed her eyes in exhaustion and muttered, "Don't bother, Penelope. I've decided to divorce Noah." She'd barely finished the sentence when the front door slammed open. Noah stood in the doorway with a dark expression. "Divorce? Who's getting a divorce?"