Chapter 5
The next day, after lunch, Arlene stopped by the old family house!!
She brought with her the set of deep emerald jewelry–supposedly a family heirloom–that Emery’s mother had gifted her on their wedding day
But as luck would have it, Emery’s parents had left for a vacation in Ball early that morning. The house was empty)
Arlene asked around, and the butler told her they wouldn’t be back for at least a month. So she handed the jewelry over to him and left
After a spa session at her favorite salon, she swung by a boutique and picked up a doren new pairs of earrings before heading home
The living room lights were on
Emery was sitting on the sofa, his phone in hand and the coffee table piled high with gift boxes.
He heard her come in, set his phone aside, and looked up at her.||
“I heard from the butler you returned the family heirloom
Arlene just hodded.
Emery let out a quiet sigh and moved to sit beside her. “You’re still upset? Come on, Arlene, don’t be like this. Look, I got you all these gifts Can’t you forgive me, just
this once?
Even when she returned the heirloom, his first reaction was to think she was still angry.”
Not that she was ready to cut things off for good!!
He was so cenain–so arrogantly sure she loved him, that she would never leave.
That’s why he acted so recklessly, why he’d ever suggested an “open marriage,” why he kept breaking her heart with other women.
Arlene said nothing, just glanced at the familiar logo stamped on the boxes. Her eyes flashed with a hint of mockery.
“What I want,” she said quietly, “can only exist as one of a kind.“I
Emery was momentarily at a loss. He realized, too late, that she must have heard–he’d bought the exact same gifts for Rosalie as well..
“Arlene, you’ve got it wrong. I really wanted to make it up to you. I just had Rosalie help me choose, She Sked them too, so I bought two sets. It’s really not a big deal. okay?
Not a big deal. Not a big deal
Arlene was sick of hearing those words.E
She swept the boxes off the table, gifts flying everywhere. “Gifts can come in endless sets, and your love can be sliced into endless pieces too, is that it? Emery, the only thing I regret~“.
Her eyes reddened with tears
Regretting ever trusting you.
Regretting ever marrying you.
She didn’t finish, but Emery heard the rest in her silence
I you otherwise. Just give
mea
He couldn’t sit still. He stood and grabbed her hand. “Arlene, you have to know, you’re the only one I really love. I wouldn’t have married y few more years, give me some time to get this out of my system, and I promise come back to you.”
Empty promises. Always the same empty words)
Adene didn’t care to listen anymore
She pulled her hand free, her voice flat and detached)
Fine. I’ll wait!
Seeing her calm down, Emery relaxed, thinking she’d finally let it go. He gathered the scattered boxes and handed them to heral
Arlene knew he hadn’t understood what she meant, but she didn’t bother to explain. She took the bag and headed upstairs
What she was waiting for was the end of the divorce cooling–off period.
Not for the day he’d see the light
Arlene’s birthday was coming up soon. Emery’s parents, still abroad, hadn’t forgotten, and had a priceless jewel–studded tiara shipped in from Europe for her
The delivery address was Emery’s company headquarters
When Arlene got the message, she considered telling his parents that she and Emery had already signed the divorce agreement. But thinking they were off enjoying their travels she decided not to spoil their mood
So she went to The Tucker Group’s offices
The birthday gift from Emery’s parents was sitting in Emery’s office. He was in a meeting, so Arlene went in alone
She opened the door and found Rosalie already there, the packaging torn open, the dazzling tiara perched on her headi
Rosalie’s expression flickered with panic when she saw Arlene. She quickly slipped on a look of amid fears
“Mrs. Tucker, what are you doing here?‘
Arlene had no interest in playing along with
th her act. She strode forward, maching for the tiara.
Im here to take what’s mine?
A flash of jealousy and resentment sparked in Rosalie’s eyes. She gripped the tia tight, refusing to let go
Did she really want it that badly?
Arlene was about to let go when she saw Rosale deliberately jab her finger on one of the sharp points
A bead of blood welled from her fingertip. She immediately slumped onto the sofa, sobbing softly.
“Mrs. Tucker, just thought the tiara was beautiful and wanted to admire it a little longer. Why are you treating me this way?
