"I've been doing a lot of thinking these past two days."
Emma Johnson was the first to break the silence, her voice cutting through the tense air between them. Liam Williams studied her gaunt face, noting how much weight she'd lost in just forty-eight hours. Despite his repeated instructions that she shouldn't skip meals, he knew she hadn't been able to force down more than a few bites.
Right now, Emma looked like she was made of paper. One strong gust of wind, and she might just crumble away.
"As a soldier, you serve your country. I can understand your choices."
Her voice was flat, emotionless. When disappointment reaches its peak, there's nothing left to express. No anger. No tears. Just emptiness.
Liam's chest ached as he watched her. His lips parted, but no words came out. What could he possibly say?
"But as a husband, you've truly hurt me. Liam, we agreed on one year at the beginning. But now, I can't stand being married to you for even one more minute. I'll have my lawyer send the divorce papers to your office later. We'll be done with each other. And without Elijah, there's nothing left for you to use me for anyway."
A bitter smile curved her lips. It was cold, like ice stabbing into his heart.
"I won't agree to a divorce."
His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. This was the one thing he wouldn't back down on.
Emma didn't bother responding. When she made up her mind, nothing could change it. She wasn't asking for his permission. She was simply informing him. Whether he agreed or not, she would end this marriage.
Outside the police station, Mia Lewis's car was waiting. Olivia Davis was there too. Emma felt a small flicker of gratitude. At least she had two friends by her side when she was at her lowest.
At least she knew she hadn't been deceived and used by everyone.
"Emma, come stay at my place."
Mia knew Emma hadn't told her parents about any of this. And it didn't seem like she planned to. There was no way Emma could let her parents see her like this. They'd be devastated.
"Thank you."
Emma's eyes glistened as she looked at her friends. Right now, she needed a warm place to rest. She needed to recover before facing whatever blows came next.
She couldn't let herself break. She had to solve things one step at a time. Even though the problems she faced were worse than anything Noah Taylor had ever put her through, she knew she could get through it. She had to.
At Mia's apartment, exhaustion finally caught up with her. She'd barely slept in two days. The moment her head hit the pillow, she was out cold.
"Seeing her like this breaks my heart."
Olivia quietly closed the bedroom door and turned to Mia.
"Now I understand why she wanted to open that branch with me. Maybe even back then, she sensed something was off about Liam. Or maybe she just didn't want to rely on him completely. She's always been so strong. But no matter how strong someone is, this kind of blow is hard to take."
Mia sighed. Olivia left shortly after, planning to let Emma rest. They'd figure out the next steps when she woke up.
Liam returned to Sunrise Manor two days later.
"Brother, you're back! I thought you were on a business trip. I went to your office, but your secretary said you weren't away. Where have you been?"
Amelia White rushed over, studying him anxiously. She noticed he looked thinner. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. He looked exhausted.
"I'm fine."
Liam didn't plan to explain. Just then, Henry Williams came out of his study. Seeing his son's haggard appearance, he let out a heavy sigh. He already knew what had happened. The old man had his sources. He never expected his daughter-in-law to be so closely tied to criminals.
"Come in."
Henry spoke briefly before heading back to his study. Liam followed without protest.
Amelia tried to eavesdrop by the door, but Oliver White, the butler, had already been ordered to keep everyone away. Whatever they were discussing wasn't meant for anyone else's ears. Not even Amelia's. She glared at the butler before storming off in frustration.
"I've spoken with the police commissioner. So you've been serving the country in secret all along. That's fine. But tell me this—did you marry Emma just to get information about the Black Feather group?"
Henry's sharp gaze bore into his son. Liam no longer saw any point in lying. He nodded.
"And you're sure Emma is connected to the crime?"
Liam felt a weight pressing on his chest. "So far, there's no solid evidence. I think I made a mistake."
"You fool. Emma has been wronged for no reason. She spent two days in a police station. How do you think she feels? She won't forgive you easily."
Henry's mood darkened as he thought about how far off his hopes of having grandchildren now seemed.
He never imagined his son would use marriage as a tool to gather information. And now it turned out the target was wrong. His wife might leave him at any moment.
"She's already asked for a divorce. I won't agree."
Liam's voice was strained.
"I've seen Emma's temper these past few months. She won't forgive you easily. But since you married her, you have a responsibility to her. You'll have to find a way to win her back."
Henry was both angry and relieved that his son had no intention of giving up on his wife. It seemed Liam did have feelings for her after all. He just didn't know how long it would take to win her back.
Liam and his father discussed the Black Feather group further. Henry's expression grew heavy.
"Father, what is it?"
Liam noticed the strange look in his father's eyes.
"Nothing. I've heard of this group before. I just didn't expect it to survive this long. It's like a curse that won't die. Liam, since you're already involved in this, and you've sacrificed so much for it, don't give up now. We have to destroy that criminal organization. But don't throw your life away recklessly, understand?"