Emily’s expression shifted at last, panic flickering in her eyes. She inched closer, her tone suddenly softer:
“Just wait until after the IPO, okay? By then I’ll compensate you—any amount you want.”
“I don’t need it.” My interruption was cold as ice.
“The marriage ends. Sign the agreement, or I’ll take it to court.”
Emily slammed the table and shot up, ready to explode, when her phone suddenly rang.
Glancing at the screen, her face softened instantly. She answered in a syrupy tone:
“Baby, what’s wrong? Okay, I’ll come right away… No, I didn’t say much to him.”
Hanging up, she didn’t even spare me a glance. She snatched her purse and bolted for the door, the clatter of her heels fading down the hallway like a stinging slap across my face.
I drew a deep breath and began packing my suitcase—the mansion was suffocating, filled with nothing but bitterness.
Just as I dragged the suitcase to the door, my phone rang again. The caller ID showed Emily’s mother.
I hesitated, then answered, out of respect for the elder.
“Mrs. Parker, Emily and I are getting divorced.”
There was silence first. Then Mr. Parker’s indifferent voice came through: