Devil Ex-Husband, Get Away

"I won't sign it. If you force me with what you want, I will make sure Grandpa would know about this!" Emily said firmly with her determined eyes and unwavering voice.

Hearing her answer, Roger scoffed and mockingly looked at her. "Are you threatening me?"

"No. I'm just saying. I'm not going to sign it," Emily replied, emphasizing her last remark.

She had already decided to find out who was on the phone with Fannie, so she must stay in the house.

"I won't sign it."

In anger, Roger raised his hand and almost hit Emily. "You!" But he stopped mid-air, seeing the firm look in her eyes. All he could do was unconsciously crumple the paper he was holding. "Let's see how long you could say that," he smirked. "From today on, you will be a servant of this villa."

When Roger turned his back on Emily, her shoulder fell. She had already accepted their marriage was already a lost case since Fannie entered the picture. And it was her own decision not to leave him, so if she had to serve him to stay, she would. What choice does she have, anyway?

Processing everything that had happened, Emily couldn't help but cry all her frustrations out. She was about to close the door when Fannie's hands stopped her from doing so. As much as she wanted to slam the door, the latter's hands had already pushed the door open.

"Is it worth it?" Fannie asked in jeer with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Her eyes were smiling as she raised her head like a winner, widely opening the door of Emily's room. "I don't understand you."

Quickly, Emily wiped the tears from her face. "It's none of your business," she said sternly, trying to hide her tears. She tried to close the door again, but Fannie stood against the door frame and leaned toward it, mocking her.

"So you wanna know the person I was talking with, eh? That's why you stayed." Fannie remarked. "You know what? I admire you. You're still here, staying, and even willing to be a servant. Have you forgotten already that your mother is in the hospital, your father is in prison, and oh!" She exclaimed, looking at Emily's belly. "Your baby was gone. How could you go to such length of staying here when you can just sign the papers and leave immediately? If you want money, I can give that to you."

Surely, Fannie knew where to put the salt in Emily's injured body.

Provoked, Emily clenched her fist in anger. But then, even if she wanted to refute, what Fannie had just said was all true. "It's none of your business!" She bit her lip until it bled; that was all she could say after a minute.

Staying was her decision, so the blame could only be on her if she ended up more bruised than she already was. Though their company's unfortunate fate was her parents' fault, to begin with, heavens knew Roger was partly at fault. Still, Emily's conscience told her not to make him suffer even though he hurt him in different ways.

When Fannie spoke, Emily instantly snapped back to her senses.

"I'll watch how long you could stand on your decision," Fannie said and left her after giving her a cold glare.

Emily's body felt weak the instant that she closed the door. She sat decadently on the cold floor and leaned against the wall as her tears began rapidly falling from her eyes. In a daze, she remembered a scene from her childhood. Only by that time was she happy.

...

Young, naive, and vocal with her feelings, Emily asked Roger, "Will you marry me when we grow up?"

"Yes," young Roger answered.

But then things changed, and Roger had already forgotten what he told young Emily when they grew up. Even though Emily reminded him about it, he said it was just a joke, "We were kids. You don't have to take that seriously."

Although it was a joke for Roger, things were different for Emily. She took it seriously, and it made her persistent in pursuing him for many years.

As time passed, Emily thought marrying Roger, the man she loves, had already become a fairytale dream come true. But her family was ruined by him. And now she was still staying with him, despite everything he did.

...

Later that afternoon, Emily decided to go to the hospital to visit her mother. However, Roger stopped her. A pile of sundries to clean welcomed her instead, and the housekeeper told her not to leave until she finished it all, as per Roger's orders.

Rather than following what the housekeeper told her, Emily looked for Roger inside the villa. "Roger! I'll leave!" She informed him, keeping in mind her mother's condition, who might be alone at the hospital since no one would be there to take care of her.

Quickly, Roger responded, "No! Finish what I've told you to do, or just sign the papers already!" He offered.

Emily strolled and faced him. "I can do it later. I just have to go to the hospital now," she insisted.

As soon as Emily walked towards the door, Roger blocked her way. He looked at her with nothing in his eyes like he did when they were still kids when he pointed out that the promise of marriage was just child's play. "Either do it now or sign the papers."

If Roger was persistent, Emily was stubborn. "I said I would do it later, but for now, I have to go to the hospital first!" She walked past him and reached the door.

When Roger ran after her again, his grandfather greeted him coming inside the door. Surprised, he halted walking and greeted his grandfather. "Grandpa, why are you here?"

Emily stepped aside to let Roger's grandfather continuously walk inside the house. "I came here to see if you're doing something against Emily's will," he said as his eyes wandered and landed on Emily.

"Grandpa, I want to go to the hospital to see my mother," Emily told Roger's grandfather as soon as their eyes met.

"Don't worry, dear. Your mother is fine. I've already asked someone to take care of her," Weston said and patted Emily on the shoulder. With what he informed her, Emily's mind relaxed a little, but she still wanted to go to the hospital.

Upon Roger's grandfather's approval, Emily finally left the house to see her mother.

...

Emily's mother had already lost significant weight, her face was pale, and her body tolled from all the stress she had experienced.

Seeing her mother's condition, Emily couldn't help but feel guilty about her decision. Slowly, she walked toward her mother, who was staring at the ceiling, and called her to get her attention. "Mom…"

"Have you divorced him?" Elicia asked as soon as she heard her. She steadily moved her head to look into her daughter's eyes. "You haven't, right?" She asked anxiously, getting the silence she received as an answer.

"I've been thinking. I have a plan. Divorce him, and we will rent a house where we can live peacefully. Then, I will ask your grandfather to find a good lawyer for your father. All you have to do is leave him as fast as possible."

Not wanting to disappoint her mother, Emily reluctantly nodded. "Yes, mom, just give me a bit more time."

Just thinking about leaving Roger without finding out who wanted to steal his company stopped every rational decision she had in mind. 'I have to know Fannie's accomplice first!' She said inwardly.

"Why are you still stubborn?!" Emily's mother struggled to sit on the bed. "He killed your baby!" She reiterated that she saw the article had been all over the newspaper, and she happened to read one.

It was not new to Emily anymore, although it hurt her. "Stop, mom… I know what to do." She walked near her mother and stroked her back slowly, wanting her to continue lying on the bed. "Take a good rest. I'll see you again tomorrow."

Her mother still wanted to say something, but Emily started to walk out the door without looking back. When she was out of the ward, her feet suddenly stopped walking. She could still hear her mother's shoutings. 'Why are you so stubborn, Emily!' She scolded herself.

Thinking how stupid she was, Emily chuckled at herself and leaned against the wall as her tears dropped. 'Why do you have to make it so hard?' She was having her monologue when someone tapped her shoulders.

"Long time no see."

The familiar voice led her to believe it was the one and only Daniel Harris.