Liam Westmore, her husband of two years, had forgotten completely that it was their second wedding anniversary.

Emerald's doll-like green eyes welled up with tears but she fought them back with clenched fists.

She had meticulously fitted her slim figure in a velvet sapphire gown and styled her long blonde hair into an intricate chignon at the bottom of her nape, all in an effort to present herself at her absolute best. Yet, the man she had exerted so much effort to impress barely glanced at her.

The expansive glass window loomed before like a colossal painting, showcasing the vibrant nightlife of Ashtone City.

Yet, despite the romantic ambiance and the mesmerizing backdrop of a sky adorned with shimmering stars, none of it managed to salvage her desolate mood.

Emerald inhaled deeply to steady her nerves. She couldn't let the hurt consume her entirely; she needed to confront her husband. She smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and opened her lips.

“Liam, do you remember what today is?”

He finally lifted his head from his phone, his piercing blue eyes locking with hers briefly before they flitted away to something else.

“Uh, Sunday?”

Emerald's heart sank.

She had hoped for a moment he would remember but he was completely clueless. This wasn't the first time he had forgotten something important, but on their anniversary, it stung even more.

“No, Liam. It's our second wedding anniversary.”

A flicker of realization crossed his dashing countenance before it faded, replaced by a vacant expression.

“I’m sorry. I've been so busy with work and stuff, it slipped my mind.”

Anger welled up inside her, ready to burst forth and disrupt the fragile peace she had struggled to maintain.

Emerald had heard those words too many times before, and each excuse had chipped away at her fragile hopes for him to change.

She had always been the one to forgive, to mend the broken pieces in their relationship, but tonight something had shifted within her.

The years of neglect and emotional distance had finally taken their toll.

“I have given you numerous chances, Liam. I have remained loyal to you, stood by your side, and made efforts to be a devoted wife. But - but why!” She choked on her words. “Why have you persistently treated me like an outsider?”

Tears welled up in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hold them back. She was determined not to let her husband take pleasure in witnessing her vulnerability.

However, beneath the surface, she secretly longed for him to recognize the immense pain he had caused, hoping that it might soften his stone-cold heart.

“Please stop acting like an emotionally battered wife. You’re well aware that I had no love for you before we tied the knot. Mother's illness is what compelled me to marry you.”

“Do you think I wanted this either?” I am trapped in a family marriage tradition, and marrying you was the only way to prevent my adoptive father from disowning me!”

Emerald clenched her fists. “All I'm asking for is to be treated as your wife, to be shown respect, and for you to remember our anniversary. Is that too much to ask?”

Liam's sharp gaze pierced her.

“I refuse to pretend that everything is fine when it's clearly not. If you're willing to pretend that our marriage is happy, that's your choice, but I will not partake in that charade.”

Emerald fought back his gaze with equal ferocity.

“So, that's why you're seeing someone else behind my back?” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could even register them.

She couldn't ignore the evidence that had been piling up - the lipstick stains on his shirt collar and the lingering scent of a woman's perfume on his skin each time he went home. All signs pointed towards him having a mistress, and it was tearing her apart inside.

He didn't even look surprised nor did he make an effort to deny it.

“So what?” Liam sneered, lips curled in disdain.

His words felt like a slap to her face, stinging her already broken heart. She was his wife. How could he treat her like this? Anger bubbled up inside her, overshadowing the pain.

“So what?” she heaved. “Are you seriously asking me that? You've been cheating on me, and you have the audacity to act like it's no big deal?”

“I had made it clear to you before we got married that I will marry you but I will never be faithful," Liam clenched his jaw, “I thought you understood and accepted that.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I can't believe you," her lips trembled. "I gave you everything, and yet I'm still nothing for you?"

"You were never enough for me, and you never will be, Emerald.”

“Why? Is it because of Victoria?”

Liam's face tightened at the mention of Victoria's name and rose from his chair.

“Don’t drag her name into this.”

Emerald rose from her chair too, her chin thrust forward.

“Am I right? Is she the reason why you keep hurting me like this?" Her voice trembled pitifully. “I thought we had something going on, something worth battling for, at the very least…”

He let out a cold laugh, “You were nothing but a distraction, Emerald. A temporary amusement that I grew tired of. You were never meant to be anything more.”

Breath hitched in her throat, the pain of his words piercing through her like a blade. She had given her heart and soul to this man, believing one day he'll learn to love her a little. But now, his cruel words shattered any trace of hope she had left.

“How could you be so heartless, Liam? I deserved to be treated better than this

"Deserved? You don't even come close to deserving anything, Emerald," he snarled. "You were nothing but naive to believe that I could ever harbor any hint of love towards someone so utterly beneath me. It's entirely your fault that Victoria ended up marrying my best friend! If only you had the decency to call off our marriage, I would have had the opportunity to marry her — not you!”

Slap!

Liam was shocked, his body going rigid from the unexpected retaliation.

Her hands tingled as she looked at the red mark on his left cheek where her palm had struck.

She had endured a loveless marriage for two years, despite how unhappy it made her. She didn't hate him for it, knowing they were both trapped in the situation. But when he tried to shift all the blame onto her, it was too much for her to bear.

"If I could go back in time, I would never have married you, Liam!" She spat out bitterly. "Before our parents arranged our marriage, I had a lover as well. We were together for three years, but I was forced to end things with him."

“You! Because of you, I left him!” She continued, her delicate fingers poking at the hard muscles on his chest. “I shouldn't have traded a wonderful man for a jerk like you!”

Emerald didn't want him to see how quickly his words had wounded her, so she turned away from him. He attempted to grab her arm to guide her back to the seat, but she pulled away, recoiling from his touch.

"I've lost my appetite. I'm going home," she announced.

"I'll settle the bill first."

She didn't respond, not even spared him a glance. She quietly made her way to the door and got into the sleek Phoenix, the car that Liam's mother had gifted them on their wedding day.

Shortly after, her husband silently joined her in the car and took the driver's seat before they set off.

The journey back to the Estate was cloaked in an unsettling silence, but she found solace in their mutual decision to ignore each other rather than engage in another heated argument.

When the car pulled into a stop in the driveway of a magnificent two-story house, she hastily clambered out of the car, expecting Liam to follow suit. Instead she heard the rumble of the engine reviving to life.

“Where are you going?” She turned to the car, her temples scrunched into a frown.

“It’s none of your concern,” he replied coolly.

The car zoomed past the gates, before she could bite back a response, and vanished from her sight. She remained standing there, jaw tight with frustration.

“I don't care what happens to you, do as you please!" Muttering angrily to herself, even though he wasn't there, she strode into the eerily quiet house.

Despite her tough exterior, a twinge of concern lingered in her mind. He already had some wine that evening, and she knew he shouldn't be out for another drink.

Emerald showered, dried her hair, and settled in the king-size bed. But damn, no matter how exhausted she felt, sleep eluded her.

She couldn't shake off her worry for her husband, although she knew he didn't deserve it.

Liam had a low tolerance for alcohol, and if he got drunk, there would be no one to drive him home. Moreover, she feared her father-in-law would hold her responsible if anything happened to his son.

But all she could do was hope for his safety and wait for his return. Regrettably, she had stayed up late waiting for him, but Liam did not come home that night.

—

Even though Emerald had a restless night's sleep, she still woke up early to make breakfast for her husband so he could eat once he got home. She was still in the dark about where he had spent the night, and it lingered in her mind like a nagging toothache.

After preparing breakfast, she hurriedly cleaned the house, took a quick shower to freshen up, and then got ready for work.

Standing in front of the tall mirror, she gazed at her reflection, noticing the signs of fatigue etched on her face. It was no wonder, considering the demanding week she had both at work and at home.

She reached for the hanger holding her uniform and carefully slipped into the stylish ocean blue top. Next, she stepped into high-waisted, charcoal pants.

She had just slipped on her flat sandals when the bedroom door creaked open and Liam swaggered into the room, a mix of alcohol and a familiar woman's perfume greeted her nostrils.

There, between his half-buttoned shirt, she caught a glimpse of a fresh lipstick mark on his chest.

She wanted to get angry, even scream at him, but she kept her composure. He was drunk and she's not ready for an argument so early in the morning.

“Where did you sleep last night?” She asked, her voice was unexpectedly soft.

"Hotel," he replied with a nonchalant shrug.

She wanted to ask if he had slept alone, but the answer seemed all too clear. Instead, she pressed her lips firmly to stop herself from blurting it out.

“Have you eaten?”

“No. But I'm not hungry.”

“I cooked you some breakfast. It's your favorite. You should eat at least a little.” She urged.

"I said I'm not hungry," he snapped irritably before sprawling out on the bed, only to fall fast asleep just a minute later.

Emerald shook her head in resignation, deciding not to voice her frustration as it would be futile. She walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge.

Liam appeared angelic in his slumber, but took on a darker aura when he was awake.

She started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing a trail of kiss marks starting at the top of his chest, continuing down his stomach, below his navel, and disappearing into his pants.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she ignored the needles piercing her chest and swiftly finished removing his shirt.

She turned her attention to the shoes she realized he was still wearing. Carefully, she removed the first one then moved to another, arranging it on the shoe rack when she finished.

Aware that he will suffer from a splitting headache from his hangover when he wakes up, she left a bottle of water and an aspirin on the night table, accompanied by a note reminding him to eat a light meal.

"Victoria…"

She heard her husband mumble as she was exiting the room.

"Just endure a bit longer," she encouraged herself.

Soon enough, she would save enough money to pursue her dream jewelry boutique.

At that point, she would have the independence to support herself, even if it meant leaving her husband and being disowned by her father.