Hearing these brutal truths spill from his drunken lips, Emma felt a heaviness in her chest, but no longer felt heartache:[]
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, she was calm.
She slung her bag over her shoulder and knocked on the door.
A few seconds later, his friends emerged, supporting Marcus.
After exchanging pleasantries, they helped load him into the car and waved goodbye.]
Emma drove Marcus home and helped him into the villa.]
He was quite intoxicated. As soon as they reached the sofa, he pulled her down, refusing to let go, calling her “Vivian” over and over.
Emma tried to pry his hands off, her tone oddly stubborn.
You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not your vivian.“[|]
Marcus opened his bleary eyes, stared at her for a long time, and tightened his grip.]
“I know you’re Vivian. Are you angry with me? I’m sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have gone drinking against your wishes. But I’ve been hurting, missing you every day. Please don’t be angry with me…‘
..“)
“I’m really not Vivian!“]
Marcus ignored this completely, gently stroking Emma’s hair as he pulled out his phone.[]
“Baby, don’t be mad. Look at the surprise I’ve prepared for you. I designed this wedding dress and ring myself–your favorite style with blue sapphires. I’ve been planning this since I was eighteen. Every time I see you, I imagine how you’ll look in this wedding dress, whether you’ll cry when I slip the ring on your finger…”
Looking at the dazzling ring on the screen and the wedding dress adorned with tiny diamonds, Emma fell silent.
Her eyes filled with indescribable emotions as she forced out a hoarse, low voice.
“You love her so much, then what about Emma?”
“Emma? She’s nothing. If you hadn’t asked me to marry her, I wouldn’t even give her a second glance.“[]
Maicus was thoroughly drunk by now. After saying this, he held her tightly, repeatedly calling “Vivian” and “Vivian, I love you.“[]
She smiled faintly, closed her eyes, and tears streamed down.[]
By dawn, Marcus had finally fallen into a drunken sleep.
She silently watched him for a long time before leaning down and placing his copy of the divorce certificate beside him.[]
In his sleep, Marcus seemed to regain some awareness. Without opening his eyes, he murmured:[]
“Emma, make me some hangover soup…”
But this time, Emma didn’t respond with her usual “okay.“[]
Instead, she slowly stood up and went to the bedroom.]
When she emerged again, she was carrying a suitcase. Without so much as a backward glance at him, she walked out of the villa.]
She booked the earliest flight back to Los Angeles, then hailed a taxi to the airport.]
Watching the streetscape rush by, she took out her phone and deleted all contact information for both Vivian and Marcus.]
As the taxi stopped at JFK entrance, the first ray of morning sunlight fell on Emma.
She lifted her head, taking one last look at this city.
Goodbye, New York.]
Goodbye, Marcus.]
