Yvonne’s voice on the other end of the phone burst with excitement.
“So, you’ve finally made up your mind? Good. You’re just a maid’s daughter–how could you ever be worthy of the Raines family’s heir? Tell me where you are and come over now. We’ll sign the contract.”
Emily couldn’t help but laugh at herself as she glanced at the address Yvonne immediately sent her. She flagged down a cab and headed out.
At the café, Yvonne fired off questions one after another. Emily answered each one calmly. Once she was satisfied, Yvonne slid a contract across the table.
“It’s all here in black and white. Once you sign it, I’ll transfer half the money to your account. The other half, you’ll get the day you leave. But you have to promise–after this, you’re never to show yourself in front of Damon again. Got it?”
Emily’s eyelashes trembled as she looked at the sky–high payout.
She wasn’t planning to ever come back. Not in this life, or the next. She didn’t want to see Damon again, ever.
So she didn’t hesitate. She picked up the pen and signed her name, quick and decisive.
Yvonne finally relaxed, put the contract away, and stood up to leave. Before she walked off, she gave one last warning.
“You have two weeks. Change your name, or move abroad. Whatever you want. But you have to make sure Damon never sees you again.”
“I understand, Mrs. Raines. Don’t worry.”
After watching Yvonne leave, Emily went home.
Making sure Damon never saw her again wasn’t that hard.
The Raines family had a long history in the military and government. They had never been allowed to leave the country. All Emily had to do was emigrate. Once she left, Damon would never be able to find her.
She spent most of the night looking up everything she could about moving abroad. By the time she finally made up her mind, she’d settled on Australia.
Decision made, Emily picked up her phone to check the time, only to see a new notification on her social media.
It was a post from Lea with nine photos.
The first three were selfies of Lea holding a bouquet of roses. The center row showed three marriage certificates. The last three were photos of hands, fingers intertwined, wedding rings glittering.
13
Emily knew that if Damon really wanted to keep their marriage a secret, he’d never allow Lea to post about it.
But Lea posted anyway, and even set it so only Emily could see, just to show off.
Emily gave the post a like.
She’d barely exited the app before a message from Damon popped up.
[Emily, I have to travel for work. I won’t be home for a few days.]
She replied with a simple “Okay,” put her phone down, and went to wash up.
The next morning, Emily woke up early to get her immigration paperwork started.
She paid extra for the expedited service. The clerk promised everything would be done within two weeks, and she finally felt a bit of relief.
On her way home, she scrolled through her feed again. There’s another post from Lea. This time, Damon was partly in the frame. The two of them were touring a new house together, holding hands, finally settling on a villa in Southwater Bay.
Emily hit the like button, just as she had the day before.
On the third day, Emily handed in her resignation at work.
When she got home, arms full of her things, she saw that Lea had posted again–this time in a wedding dress, the diamond ring on her finger sparkling in the light.
Emily pressed the heart, just like always, then buried herself under her covers.
The fourth day, she woke up to yet another update: this time, a photo of the newly framed wedding portrait hanging in Lea and Damon’s new home.
Emily stared at it for a long moment before snapping out of it. She liked the post, did her makeup, and went out to have a farewell dinner with some close friends.
That evening, she came home with several suitcases and started tossing out everything connected to Damon. The gifts he’d given her, their matching toothbrushes and mugs, the photos they’d taken together… Nothing was left. Everything went straight into the trash.
By the time she was done, it was past midnight.
Just as she was about to turn off the lights and go to bed, Damon walked in. He froze immediately when he saw how empty the apartment looked, his brow furrowing.
“Why is there so much stuff missing?”
“I didn’t like them anymore, so I tossed them. We can always get new things later,” she replied lightly,
Damon nodded and tossed his jacket onto the couch, but his eyes landed on the boxes stacked in the corner. “You quit your job?”
He hesitated, noticing her ID and passport on the coffee table. “Why do you have your ID out?”
I’m just really tired and wanted a break, so I resigned. As for the ID, I need it for some paperwork Emily explained as she packed up her things.
Emily was being really casual, so Demon didn’t think much of it. He wrapped his arms around her voice gentle. “I’ve been so busy. Haven’t had any time for you. Your birthday’s coming up–how about I take you to an auction tomorrow so you can pick out a present?”
Emily didn’t say no.
The next day, as soon as they found their seats in the auction hall, Emily spotted Lee.
Lea walked right over, confidently taking the seat next to Damon.
All evening, Damon kept his attention on Emily, not sparing Lea a single glance.
When the auction ended, he didn’t stick around. He took Emily’s hand and led her straight
downstairs.
Before they left, Emily went to the restroom.
When she came out, she saw Lea comered on the stairwell by a group of guys, all of them talking and laughing way too loudly.
“Well, if it isn’t Lea! Didn’t you left Damon behind back then? Now look at you. Guess karma’s real, huh?”
“Heard your dad’s marrying you off to some old man. You’re still pretty, though. Why not come have some fun with us instead? We’ll take good care of you-*
Before he could finish, he was cut off.
Damon came down the stairs, face dark as thunder, and landed a hard kick on the group of
guys.
Chapter 3
