At the law firm, Emma Corsie finished signing all the documents. She glanced at the blank space where the husband's signature was supposed to go, then looked up and asked the attorney, "Is it okay if I sign for him?"

The lawyer hesitated, pushing up his glasses. "Only if you have his explicit consent."

She paused, then pulled out her phone and dialed Braydon's number. A woman's voice answered-Caitlin, sweetly whining, "Braydon, I'm craving dessert from the west side of the city..."

Emma felt a sharp pain in her chest but forced herself to stay calm. "There's something I want to discuss with you."

Soon, Braydon's deep voice came through. "What is it, Emma? I'm really busy right now. Whatever it is, just handle it."

"You're saying I can decide on your behalf?"

He chuckled softly. "Of course. We've been married for years. Haven't you always handled everything at home?"

"In that case, I'll take care of it."

After ending the call, Emma lowered her gaze and carefully signed Braydon's name in the space.

As she was leaving, the lawyer reminded her, "Mrs. Lederer, the divorce will take effect in a month. You can still withdraw it if you change your mind."

She smiled, the sound barely audible. "No. I won't regret this."

This marriage was over.

From the law firm, she got in a cab and headed straight to the hospital.

"Hi, I'm here for an abortion."

"Are you sure?" the doctor asked after glancing at her chart. "The baby is perfectly healthy."

"I'm sure."

The cold clatter of surgical instruments sent chills down her spine as she lay on the operating table.

She closed her eyes, remembering the way Braydon used to chase after her.

Back in college, during the welcome ceremony, he was giving a speech as student council president-but the moment he saw her, he forgot all his lines.

Everyone said the heartthrob of the finance department had finally fallen hard.

The guy who'd never shown interest in women pursued her relentlessly for a full year.

On the first snowfall of the year, he stood outside her dorm with 999 roses, waiting all night in the snow.

One stormy night, she casually mentioned craving cake from the west side, and he drove across half the city in pouring rain to get it for her.

But what moved her most was the school anniversary gala.

She was performing a piano solo when a key jammed, freezing her in place in front of the entire crowd.

Then Braydon walked right onto the stage and sat beside her.

"I'll play with you," he whispered.

His long fingers touched the keys, and together, they finished "Dream Wedding."

The audience erupted in cheers, but he only looked at her and said softly, "Emma, I can't imagine a life without you."

That was when she fell for him.

And he kept his word. From dating to marriage, he treated her like a treasure.

The only thing she couldn't quite get over was Caitlin, who was always lingering in the background.

"I only see Caitlin as a sister," he'd say. "Her grandfather once saved mine. Now that the Ritchie family has fallen on hard times, I can't turn my back on her."

Emma believed him.

But little by little, Caitlin became a shadow between them.

She lost count of how many times she had to make way for her.

Last year on her birthday, Braydon had promised to take Emma to see the Northern Lights, but canceled last minute because Caitlin had a fever.

On their anniversary, Emma had prepared a whole night of surprises-only for Braydon to ditch her after Caitlin called, scared of thunder.

Even when Emma had a 39-degree Celsius fever, Braydon was off riding a Ferris wheel with Caitlin, happily helping her post stories on social media.

She put up with it. Over and over. Until now, when he even denied their child for Caitlin's sake.

If that's how it was going to be, then she didn't want the child.

And she didn't want Braydon either.

When the operating room lights went out, Emma felt like a piece of her soul had been taken away with them.

She leaned against the wall as she walked out, her legs still shaking, a dull ache radiating from her abdomen.

But then, as she turned the corner, she froze, staring at the scene in front of her like she'd stepped into a nightmare.

There, on a bench, Braydon was kneeling with one ear pressed to Caitlin's gently rounded belly.

"The baby just kicked me!" Caitlin's eyes lit up as she giggled. "Braydon, they say babies who kick a lot are smarter!"

Braydon smiled and gently caressed her belly. "I just want the baby to be safe and healthy."

Emma's grip on her medical records tightened.

The paper crumpled in her palm with a strained rustle, like the sound of her heart breaking into pieces.

She should've stormed over, should've demanded to know if he realized that while he was doting on another woman's child, their child was being torn from her body by cold steel instruments.

She should've asked if he remembered how thrilled he'd been when he first found out she was pregnant, how he'd lifted her and spun her around with joy.

But Emma did none of that.

She just stood there in silence, watching them bask in the sunlight like the perfect couple.

All her anger, pain, and resentment slowly dissolved into one overwhelming emotion-exhaustion.

She turned to leave. And just then, Braydon's voice called out behind her.

"Emma?" He sounded surprised. "What are you doing at the hospital?"

"I..."

Emma let out a sarcastic laugh. She was just about to come right out and say she was at the hospital for an abortion when Caitlin suddenly walked up and sweetly linked arms with her.

"Emma's pregnant too, of course, she's here for a prenatal checkup!" Caitlin beamed, then turned to Emma with a guilty expression. "I'm sorry, Emma. I've been monopolizing Braydon lately... But after what I went through, my mental state has been a mess. If people found out the baby I'm carrying belongs to those kidnappers, I'd completely fall apart..."

Her eyes began to well with tears. "I had no choice but to let Braydon be the father. If you hate me, just hit me, okay?"

Before Emma could respond, Braydon cut in with concern in his voice. "Don't say that. I already talked to Emma-gossip will pass. She's very understanding, so she won't mind."

Emma closed her eyes for a moment.

Yes, she was incredibly "understanding." So understanding that she was ready to divorce him and step aside-so they could be together for real.

"You're right. I don't mind," she said calmly, playing along.

Caitlin instantly broke into a teary smile. "That's a relief. I'd feel awful otherwise."

Then she clung to Emma's arm again. "Since we ran into each other, why don't we all grab a bite together?"

Emma wanted to say no, but she was still weak from the surgery. Before she knew it, Caitlin was half-dragging her out of the hospital.

At the restaurant, Caitlin kept putting on a show of being difficult and fussy.

"Braydon, this smells awful... I feel like throwing up...

"I wanted something sour. This is way too spicy..."

Braydon stayed patient and gentle the entire time, offering her water, and rubbing her back.

Emma watched in silence, her chest tight with discomfort.

She wasn't sure if it was the aftermath of the surgery or the emotional blow of seeing them like this.

Halfway through the meal, the crystal chandelier above them gave a sudden, ominous crack-and it was falling straight toward Braydon.

"Braydon, watch out!"

Caitlin screamed and dove toward him.

The chandelier crashed onto her back, shattering into a spray of glass.

"Caitlin!" Braydon's expression changed instantly, his voice trembling with panic.

"As long as you're okay..." Caitlin murmured weakly, leaning into his arms. She slowly reached out her bloodied hand. "My grandpa once saved your grandpa. And now I've saved you. I guess that makes it full circle..."

"I won't let anything happen to you. I swear I won't!" Braydon's eyes turned red as he scooped her into his arms and bolted out the door.

He was in such a rush that he didn't even see Emma standing in the hallway. His shoulder slammed hard into her.

Thud!

The impact knocked her to the floor. Her forehead hit the corner of a table, and blood started trickling down.

But she didn't feel any pain. She just sat there dazed, staring blankly at Braydon's retreating figure.

In a haze, she remembered the day they made it official. Braydon had been so overwhelmed with joy he teared up, holding her tightly and whispering over and over, "Emma, from now on, you're the only one I'll ever see in a crowd."

"What a joke," she thought.

Emma wiped her face and was startled to find tears. She gave a bitter smile.

She leaned against the wall and slowly pushed herself up, her steps heavy and unsteady as she stumbled back toward the hospital alone.

After getting her wound bandaged, she was about to leave when she ran into Braydon outside the operating room.

A nurse rushed out, flustered. "Mr. Lederer, the patient's hemorrhaging badly. Her blood type is Rh-negative, very rare. Do you have any family members who can donate?"

Braydon's face went pale. Then he looked around and spotted Emma.

His eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly walked over, grabbing her wrist. "Emma, I remember you're Rh-negative, right? Caitlin got hurt saving me. Please-you have to help her."

Emma felt a chill run down her spine.

He knew she had anemia.

Last year, she collapsed because of it, and he'd been so worried he nearly tore the hospital apart.

But now, he wanted her, someone anemic, to donate blood for another woman.

"It's just a little," Braydon said urgently, tightening his grip. "She can't wait any longer!"

Before Emma could respond, he had already shoved her forcefully into the blood donation room.

The moment the needle pierced her vein, Emma shut her eyes.

Six hundred milliliters of blood was drawn quickly. Her face grew paler with each passing second.

Braydon stood nearby, anxiously staring in the direction of the operating room, not even sparing Emma a glance.

By the time the blood draw was over, Emma's legs gave out beneath her. She nearly collapsed.

Only then did Braydon snap out of it and rush to support her. "I'm sorry, Emma... I know you're worried about the baby. Don't worry-the nurse knows what she's doing. If you're still unsure, I'll have the doctor run a checkup right now."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, he took her straight to the examination room. A short while later, the doctor came out holding the results.

Braydon immediately stepped forward. "How's the baby?"

The doctor looked surprised. "Baby? There's no..."

"Mr. Lederer!" A nurse suddenly came running out. "Ms. Ritchie has been calling your name throughout the procedure. Could you come in and be with her? It might help strengthen her will to fight."

Without hesitation, Braydon turned on his heel and hurried into the operating room.

The doctor glanced at Emma, hesitating. "Mrs. Lederer, Mr. Lederer... He doesn't know you already terminated the pregnancy?"

Emma simply smiled and shook her head. "No. And there's no need for him to know. Not ever."

By the time she left the hospital, the setting sun bathed the sky in shades of orange and pink. Emma, pale and weak, gazed up at the glowing clouds. She suddenly remembered how, back in college, Braydon once promised to take her to see the most beautiful sunset in the world.

The sunset was still here. But they could never go back to what they used to be.

Emma spent the next week recovering at home.

The blood loss had taken a serious toll. She was constantly dizzy, and even getting out of bed became a struggle.

The housekeepers were so worried they wanted to call Braydon, but she stopped them.

"There's no need," she murmured, leaning weakly against the headboard. "He's busy."

She knew exactly what he was busy with-most likely doting on Caitlin.

Caitlin was posting Stories every day, flaunting how attentive Braydon was.

He fed her himself, took her to every prenatal appointment, and even went out in the middle of the night to buy her cravings...

Braydon was so good to her that he seemed to have completely forgotten who his wife was.

Then, one day, Braydon finally came home.

"A buddy of mine in the circle is throwing a baby shower for his kid," he said as he stood in front of the wardrobe picking out a tie. "Emma, come with me."

Emma said nothing. She quietly got changed and followed him out the door.

But when she opened the passenger-side door, she was met with the sight of Caitlin already sitting there.

"Emma," Caitlin said with an apologetic smile, "I've been cooped up in the hospital too long, and I asked Braydon to bring me along. I get carsick, so I have to sit in the front... You don't mind, do you?"

Emma's hand froze mid-air for a moment before she slowly pulled it back. "No, I don't mind."

She quietly took a seat in the back, eyes fixed on the two figures in front of her.

Braydon adjusted the air conditioning for Caitlin and handed her a pillow to rest against.

All the tenderness that once belonged to Emma now belonged to someone else.

At the party, Braydon stayed by Caitlin's side the entire time, oblivious to the way everyone was looking at Emma.

She could hear the murmurs around her, like needles pricking her skin.

"Poor Mr. Lederer... He loved his wife so much, but she ended up pregnant with a kidnapper's baby..."

"Didn't they say she was assaulted?"

"Assaulted? Ms. Ritchie was kidnapped, too, wasn't she? How come nothing happened to her? Emma must've seduced someone to save her skin."

"I always knew she was trouble. Probably threw herself at one of the kidnappers to survive. And now Mr. Lederer's in so much pain... He only slept with Ms. Ritchie because he was drunk, and now she's the one carrying his baby..."

Emma's face was pale, her fingernails digging deep into her palms.

She hadn't expected the rumors to spiral out of control this far. In everyone's eyes, she'd become a disgraceful villain in someone else's story.

Just as she turned to leave, a group of socialites blocked her path.

"Mrs. Lederer, where are you going? The party's just getting started.

"Come hang out with us!"

Their words sounded friendly, but their actions were anything but. Someone deliberately spilled red wine on her dress. Another "accidentally" bumped into her. Then, without warning, someone shoved her straight into the pool.

Splash!

The icy water swallowed her whole. The stinging sensation as water flooded her nose made her struggle instinctively. She clawed at the edge of the pool, trying desperately to pull herself up.

Just as her fingers brushed the edge, a hand with bright red nails shoved down on her head.

"Help... Help me..."

"Help? Who's going to help you? Do you even realize how many women in this circle would kill to have Braydon? He loved you so much-treated you like his whole world-and this is how you repay him? You're nothing but a filthy slut. You should just die here!"

The water surged into her nose again, choking her breath. Everything started to go dark.

But what truly suffocated her wasn't the drowning-it was their words.

They called her shameful. Loose. Said Braydon loved her like his life. What a joke.

"What the hell are you doing?"

A furious voice suddenly boomed out. The pressure on her head vanished.

Through the blur of her vision, Emma saw Braydon charging toward her like a madman.

She almost laughed. "What was he so panicked about? Wasn't this the mess he created?" she thought to herself.

Braydon pulled her out of the water, face dark with rage as he turned on the crowd.

"Are you out of your damn minds? You laid a hand on my wife?"

"Mr. Lederer, we just couldn't stand seeing her betray you like that..."

"Enough!" Braydon snapped, not even bothering to explain what had happened. His voice was cold. "Even if the child Emma was carrying was the kidnapper's, I still love her. I always have-and that will never change!"

Gasps of admiration followed. "Mr. Lederer is so devoted..." Amid the whispers of awe, Braydon scooped up Emma, soaked and trembling, and stormed out of the party.

In the lounge, he brought her a dry towel and gently began drying her hair.

"Emma, I know you've been wronged. This is all my fault." His voice was soft. "I promise-something like today will never happen again.

"Just hang in there a little longer, okay? Once Caitlin has the baby, I'll send her overseas. Then everything will go back to the way it was between us."

But Emma didn't believe that. There was no going back-and no future either.

"I'm going home," she said, completely drained.

Braydon paused. "The party's still going on. It wouldn't look good if we left together right now. I'll have the driver take you back first. I'll come back later to be with you, alright?"

Emma couldn't tell if he meant it wouldn't look good or if he just didn't want to leave Caitlin alone.

She let out a soft, bitter laugh but didn't bother confronting him. She was too tired. She turned and left.

As soon as Emma returned to the villa, she began packing her things.

One item at a time, she erased every trace of herself from this house.

She didn't know how long she'd been at it, but just as she closed the last suitcase, the door burst open.

Braydon stood in the doorway, eyes widening in alarm at the sight of the luggage strewn across the floor.

"Emma, what are you doing? Why are you packing your things?

"Where are you going?"

Emma wasn't the least bit flustered when she was caught packing.

Calmly folding the clothes in her hands, she said evenly, "I can't wear these anymore now that I'm pregnant, so I'm planning to donate them."

Only then did the tension on Braydon's face ease.

He let out a breath, silently laughing at himself for overreacting.

Emma loved him so much-he didn't believe she'd ever leave.

Even if she wanted to, he wouldn't allow it. There was no way he'd sign any divorce papers.

"Just buy all new ones," he said, handing her a black card with a pampering tone. "Get as many as you want."

Emma gave a soft "Mm" and took the card, but the moment their fingers brushed, she quickly pulled her hand back as if she'd touched something filthy.

Braydon didn't notice her reaction. After a moment's hesitation, he added, "Caitlin's been having terrible morning sickness. She needs someone around, so I'm going to stay with her for a few days."

He paused as if suddenly remembering something. "I noticed you haven't had much nausea lately. Can you cut her some slack?"

Emma's fingers trembled slightly.

She hadn't had morning sickness... because the baby was already gone.

But she forced a faint smile and said nothing.

In the days that followed, headlines about Braydon's affection for Caitlin were everywhere.

"Lederer Group CEO Spends a Fortune for Love"

"Braydon Buys Late-Night Desserts for Caitlin"

"This Is What True Love Looks Like"

The comment section was brutal.

"How does that tramp Emma still have the nerve to show her face?"

"Heard the kidnappers passed her around all night. Disgusting!"

"Poor Mr. Lederer-cheated on and still playing the good guy!"

Each comment cut into Emma like a knife.

She shut off her phone and silently told herself, "This will all be over soon."

Once her bags were fully packed, she arranged a final dinner with a few close friends.

They were among the few who knew the truth. The moment they saw her, their eyes welled up with anger and sympathy.

"Braydon chased after you so fiercely back then... And now he treats you like this?"

"Exactly. And what's with 'just endure the rumors for now'? Doesn't he know gossip can ruin a person's life?"

Emma just smiled and shook her head. "It's fine. It'll all be over soon."

Only then did her friends start to relax a bit, though they still clutched her hand, eyes full of heartache.

"You're amazing, Emma. You deserve the best. If Braydon couldn't cherish that, then he deserves to lose you forever."

The farewell dinner was bittersweet.

Afterward, they hugged one by one.

Emma watched each of them leave before stepping out of the restaurant herself.

She had just reached her car when two figures suddenly broke through the crowd and dropped to their knees in front of her.

"Ms. Corsie, we're begging you, please let Caitlin and Braydon be together!" Caitlin's parents sobbed, bowing over and over. "She's loved Braydon since she was a child, but she always knew his heart belonged to you, so she stayed silent all these years...

"But now you're the one who betrayed Braydon and broke his heart. And Caitlin's carrying his baby. Can't you let them be a family?"

Emma's face turned ghostly pale.

She tried to leave, but Caitlin's mother clung tightly to the hem of her dress.

A crowd began to form. People started whispering.

"Is that the Mrs. Lederer who seduced the kidnappers?"

"She's shameless. Still has the nerve to show her face in public..."

Suddenly, an egg hit Emma's shoulder, and yolk oozed down her white dress.

Then came a barrage-rotten tomatoes, half-drunk milk teas, even rocks-flying straight at her.

Emma tried to escape, but Caitlin's mother still had a death grip on her skirt.

She yanked hard to break free. Caitlin's parents suddenly threw themselves backward, and Caitlin's father's forehead conveniently slammed against the curb-blood poured down his face.

The crowd instantly exploded, voices rising in shock.

"Oh my god! Emma hurt someone!"

The crowd was growing larger by the second. People started hurling things at her-whatever they had in hand. Emma couldn't dodge fast enough. In the chaos, she had no choice but to help the driver carry Caitlin's parents into the car and rush them to the hospital.

As soon as they entered the emergency room, Caitlin stormed over and slapped Emma hard across the face.

"You said you didn't hate me, but now you're trying to kill my parents behind my back?" Caitlin was crying uncontrollably. "Emma, how could you be so cruel?"

Emma opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say a word, she caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

Braydon walked up quickly and held onto Caitlin, who was on the verge of collapsing. "Caitlin, don't get so worked up-it's not good for the baby."

As he steadied her, he looked at Emma. His brow was furrowed, his expression full of disappointment. He didn't even try to hide it.

At that moment, Emma felt a chill spread through her entire body.

He didn't see the bruises on her. He didn't even ask. He just... didn't believe her.

"Emma, you really..."

Before he could finish saying "disappointed me," Emma suddenly burst out laughing.

She laughed so hard her body trembled, and the tears ran into the cut at the corner of her mouth.

He wouldn't even listen to a single word of explanation before passing judgment.

"That's right! I'm vicious! I'm reckless! I'm heartless! I'm beyond redemption-I should just die, right?"

Her voice rose sharply, echoing through the hospital corridor. "Is that what you want to hear?"

Braydon froze, clearly taken aback. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "Emma, I..."

"Braydon!" Caitlin suddenly slumped weakly into his arms. "I... I feel dizzy..."

Braydon instinctively caught her, and when he looked up again, Emma was already walking away.

She moved fast, her white coat flaring behind her like the broken wings of a butterfly.

A wave of unease washed over Braydon, and he almost chased after her, but Caitlin let out a soft whimper in his arms.

"Don't go..." she murmured, clinging to his shirt. "The baby... Our baby..."

Emma heard the commotion behind her but didn't turn around.

The moment the elevator doors slid shut, she finally let herself sink to the floor, burying her face in her hands.

So this... this was what it felt like when your heart truly broke. Even crying didn't make a sound.

When Emma got home, she buried herself under the covers.

That night, she had a long, vivid dream.

In it, she saw all the ways Braydon used to love her.

Under the cherry blossom tree on campus, he held her hands and said, "I can't imagine a life without you." At their wedding, his hands had trembled as he slipped the ring on her finger, his eyes red with emotion. When he found out she was pregnant, he lifted her into his arms and spun her around the living room, beaming with joy.

But in the blink of an eye, the dream twisted into something else-Braydon shielding Caitlin.

He took drinks for her, bought her medicine, and in front of everyone, claimed the child in Caitlin's belly was his.

Bang!

A loud crash startled Emma awake.

It was already dark outside.

From downstairs, she heard the clatter of footsteps and Caitlin's sugary, commanding voice.

"Move that sofa to the sunroom. I want to sit in the sunlight.

"I don't like that plant-get rid of it.

"And change the curtains. I want them in my favorite shade of blue."

Dragging her exhausted body out of the bedroom, Emma opened the door-just in time to see Braydon walking up the stairs holding Caitlin's pillow.

Their eyes met. Braydon stiffened.

"Caitlin's parents are in the hospital because of you," he said bluntly. "They didn't want her living alone, so I let her move in. Just until the baby comes."

Emma listened in silence, her face blank.

She didn't even look at him. Her eyes stared straight through him as if he were a stranger.

So this was what it felt like-pain so deep it hollowed you out.

She felt nothing now. Numb. Empty. Not even enough energy left to be angry.

She turned to walk away, but Braydon suddenly called after her, "Emma..."

His voice carried a familiar hesitation-the same tone he used after their arguments when he wanted to apologize but didn't know how.

"Braydon!" Caitlin's syrupy voice rang out at just the right moment. "The baby just kicked again! Come feel it!"

Braydon stopped in his tracks.

Emma heard him let out a quiet sigh, then the sound of his footsteps retreating.

She knew exactly what he was thinking.

He was telling himself that everything would be fine once the baby was born. That for now, he just had to go along with Caitlin.

Just like what he always said in the past.

"Just hold on a little longer. It'll all be over soon. Once this blows over..."

But this time, Emma didn't want to wait anymore.

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.

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.

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. "Braydon, 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.

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.