Chapter 20

"What's on your mind?" Sloane asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

A cunning spark flickered in Emilia's eyes. "Word is,Violet's planning to compete in the national ballet championships. Check if her name's on the roster.If it is, make sure I'm registered, too."

"Consider it done." Sloane gave a confident nod.

With a soft chuckle, Emilia added, "If Violet wants to tear me down, it's only fair I strip away everything she cares about."

"No one as cruel as her should walk away unscathed." Sloane's voice grew sharper, her fists clenched tight.

Every word left Sloane more furious. Violet had crossed every line-hiring mnen to hurt Emilia, plotting for blackmail. It made Sloane's skin crawl.Someone that calculated had probably left a trail of broken lives already.

"A quick victory would be too easy. Let's enjoy the slow unraveling, don't you think?" Emilia's tone stayed light, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"I can't wait to watch them lose everything they built." Sloane matched her smile.

...

Later, Emilia stretched out on her bed, eyes lost in the empty space above, letting her thoughts drift.

Quiet settled around her, and memories began to replay in Emilia's mind-snapshots of Rodger and the winding road of their three-year marriage.

She couldn't pretend it meant nothing. She'd poured her heart into that love, and despite everything,traces of it still lingered.

Sometimes old moments surfaced without warning,stinging her heart with the pain of old wounds.

But she saw things differently now. Loving someone who would never love her back wasn't just foolish-it was a betrayal of herself.

Self-respect mattered. Her willingness to put up with Rodger wasn't simply because she still cared. More than that, she'd felt indebted to Arthur for saving her life all those years ago.

Three years was long enough to carry that weight.It was time to let it go.

A sudden ringtone shattered the quiet,yanking her from her thoughts.

Whatever sorrow lingered in her chest vanished,leaving only the faintest redness in her eyes.

Emilia brushed away the moisture quickly and reached for her phone on the nightstand. She paused when she saw the caller ID. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

Rodger's call-not his name but the word "Honey"lighting up the screen.

Night after night, Emilia had found herself caught between missing Rodger and suffering the sting of love that never went both ways. At some point,she'd changed the custom ringtone she'd set just for him.

Even so, she never bothered to update his contact-the intimate word remained.

Drawing in a steady breath, Emilia picked up the call,he voice cool and unreadable. "What is it?"

Rodger didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his words were ice. "Get to the courthouse now.I want this divorce finalized today."

Clearly, he couldn't wait to make Violet official,terrified she'd be branded as the homewrecker if they waited any longer.

Emilia let out a tired sigh. "I'm exhausted, Rodger.Let's handle it tomorrow. I just want to get some rest."

Sleep was all she could think about lately-her whole body craved it.

Rodger's frustration crackled through the line."Stop dragging this out! The agreement's signed and you're still stalling. How much longer do you plan on clinging to the Mitchell name? Without my grandfather, you have no one left on your side.Don't make me push you harder. I'm only being civil because of everything you did these past three years."

His words drew a short, bitter laugh from Emilia."Spare me the act, Rodger. While Arthur was alive,you were already sneaking around with Violet. Don't talk to me about civility. Throughout our marriage,you paraded her around, lavished her with gifts, gave her everything she wanted, and didn't care who saw it. You treated me like I was nothing-like garbage to be tossed aside. And now you say I'm making you be cruel? Look in the mirror and try to find a shred of shame."