Chapter 2

Emily's POV

"A discount?" I repeated the word, letting out a cold laugh. "We don't do that here. That'll be eight dollars. Cash or card?"

Sophia's smile stiffened. She immediately turned to Alexander, her eyes filling with instant tears of victimization.

"Alexander... did I say something wrong to upset Emily? I was just kidding..."

Alexander's frown deepened. He pulled out his wallet, grabbed a black card, and handed it to Amy. His voice carried a hint of sternness directed at me. "Emily, Sophia just got back to the country and is going through a lot. Don't take it out on her."

The way he spoke her name was so gentle.

I passed him the receipt without a single expression on my face. "Here. There are two orders ahead of yours. Please wait."

I turned my back to them and started pulling espresso shots, refusing to give them another second of my attention.

I could practically feel Alexander staring at my back, his frown deepening.

He was probably wondering why the sweet, compliant Emily wasn't being sweet today.

For the past five years, no matter how late he came home, I would leave a light on and warm up a cup of milk for him.

But that was the past.

Outside the counter, Sophia tugged at Alexander's sleeve. "Alexander, does Emily misunderstand our relationship? Maybe I should just leave. I don't want to come between you two."

"It's not your fault," Alexander said, patting her hand reassuringly. "She's just tired today."

Once their coffee was ready, I had Amy serve it. I grabbed my phone and walked straight into the back breakroom.

Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a long, shaky breath.

I unlocked my phone, opened Snapchat, and sent a message.

"Jenny, is that offer to partner up for your new shop in Seattle still open?"

My phone buzzed almost instantly.

"Of course it is! I've been begging you to come! But wait, didn't you just get your marriage certificate? Is Alexander really going to let you go?"

I stared at the screen, my fingers typing rapidly. "The wedding is off. I can leave anytime."

"Oh my god, yes! I'm flying back next week to wrap things up. I'll come pick you up!"

I locked my phone and took off my apron.

Since Alexander had made his choice, there was no reason for me to stay here and be the joke of his story.

When I went back out, Alexander and Sophia were already gone.

At 10 PM, I finally dragged my exhausted body back to our shared apartment.

The moment I pushed the door open, I heard the sound of rushing water from the bathroom.

Alexander walked out after his shower, towel-drying his hair. His phone on the coffee table started buzzing.

The screen lit up with an unsaved number.

I was about to walk past to pour myself some water when Alexander rushed past me like a gust of wind.

His shoulder slammed hard into mine. I lost my balance, and my leg scraped violently against the sharp glass corner of the coffee table.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot up my leg. I gasped, tears immediately springing to my eyes.

But Alexander didn't even glance at me.

He grabbed his phone and swiped to answer. His voice carried a frantic, gentle tone I had never heard before. "Sophia, don't be scared. Lock your doors. I'm coming right now."

He hung up, grabbed his jacket from the couch, and headed straight for the door.

As he walked past me, he threw a casual line over his shoulder. "Emergency at the office. Don't wait up."

In the past, I would have stood up, fixed his collar, and warned him to drive safely.

But tonight, I just sat on the floor, holding my bleeding leg, not even bothering to look up.

The front door slammed shut, leaving the apartment in a deafening, dead silence.

I dragged myself to get the first-aid kit and quietly patched up my wound.

Once that was done, I walked into the master bedroom, pulled out a large suitcase, and started packing.

The jewelry Alexander had bought me, the matching mugs we picked out together, the scrapbook I had stayed up nights making for our wedding...

Anything I couldn't carry, or anything that had to do with him, I threw straight into a large black trash bag.

It took me three hours. The once cozy, warm bedroom was now half-empty.

At 2 AM, the smart lock beeped.

Alexander walked in, bringing the cold night air with him.

He pushed the bedroom door open. When his eyes landed on the empty vanity and the bare shelves, he froze.

"Emily, what are you doing in the middle of the night?" He stared at the black trash bags in the corner.

It took him several seconds to find his voice. "Where did all your stuff go?"