Chapter 1 Time for Her to Leave

It was 2:00 am, and Emily Sterling was curled up on the bed. Her hair was damp with sweat, and she was panting softly. Gabriel Holton had been away on business for several days, and he had unleashed all of his pent-up desire on her. At the height of his youth, he showed no signs of exhaustion during intimacy. In fact, it was almost frighteningly intense. Eight used condoms lay scattered on the floor. Emily was so exhausted she could barely lift a finger. Her throat ached from crying out too much. "Water." As soon as the word left her lips, someone supported her shoulder and brought a glass of water to her mouth. Emily took a few sips, and the discomfort finally eased somewhat. She opened her eyes and, under the warm yellow light, clearly saw the face of the man beside her. She had to admit, Gabriel had strikingly handsome features. That austere face always wore a look of satisfaction after intimacy, making him appear even more dangerously alluring. After two years of marriage, Emily suddenly felt the urge to have a child. A child carrying both her and Gabriel's bloodline would surely be adorable. "Remember to take your pills tomorrow." Her unrealistic fantasy was quickly shattered by his icy words. Emily smiled bitterly. "Even with condoms, you're still not reassured?" Gabriel turned to look at her, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "What do you think?" His gaze cut into her like a blade, spreading pain straight into her chest. A thick tension filled the air until a shrill ringtone suddenly cut through the silence. Emily glanced at Gabriel's phone. The caller ID displayed "Amelia." Amelia Waverly was Gabriel's childhood sweetheart. Rumor had it that they grew up together and shared a deep bond. Five years ago, Amelia had gone abroad to study. Upon her return, Gabriel arranged for her to work in Holton Corporation as his secretary. The two were inseparable. On the surface, they seemed to be superior and subordinate to each other. But everyone knew that Amelia was the woman Gabriel held closest to his heart. Gabriel picked up his phone and answered the call. Perhaps because the room was too quiet, Amelia's soft, pleasant voice carried clearly through the receiver into Emily's ears. "Gabe, I think I'm running a slight fever. Can you take me to the hospital?" "Sure. Rest up for now. I'll be there shortly." Gabriel comforted Amelia as he put on his clothes, his expression unusually grim. Emily's hands trembled uncontrollably under the covers when she saw how anxious he was. Last year, when Emily went with her colleagues on a medical mission to the countryside, they encountered a natural disaster. Terrified, she had called Gabriel. But he only scoffed, ignoring her sobs and mocking her for making a big deal out of nothing. He had been as cold as a stranger, even though her life had been on the line. And now, when it came to Amelia, just a mild fever was enough to make him rush out in the middle of the night. He had even coaxed her so gently with such patience. Compared to Amelia, Emily found that, as his wife, she was nothing but a joke. Maybe indignation clouded her reason, but Emily threw back the covers, ran to the door, and blocked Gabriel's way. "It's already so late. Do you really have to go?" Gabriel looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "You're jealous?" Emily bit her lip and nodded. "As your wife, shouldn't I be?" "You're not worthy of being jealous of Amelia." Gabriel didn't bother sparing her another glance. He turned the doorknob and walked out without looking back. Emily staggered from the push of the door, falling to the floor in defeat. The roar of the car engine soon came from downstairs. Gabriel had left after all. The room felt empty and cold, leaving behind nothing but endless chill. Emily hugged her knees, curling herself into a ball. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks. She had been too foolish. She had known from the start that this marriage was a bottomless abyss, yet she had still plunged headlong into it. Gabriel had only ever had Amelia in his heart. She had been deluded all along, trapping herself in her imagination. In her dazed state, another phone ringtone sounded. Pulling herself out of her low spirits, she answered the call. "Mills, guess who I just saw? Your husband!" It was her best friend, Mallory Prescott. "He had a woman in his arms, and they looked really intimate. Is that bastard cheating on you? "That scumbag! Couldn't he have gone to any other hospital? He had to come to the one where you work? Is he trying to disgust you on purpose?"