Chapter 1
Emily's POV:
When my husband was kidn*pped, I willingly drank scalding oil to save him. The doctors told me I needed treatment overseas, and there was still a chance I could recover. But Nathan Mercer's career was at a critical point, so I refused to leave and stayed by his side.
He held me, tears streaming down his face, and promised to find me the best doctor once his career was secure. In the 5 years since, he had risen from a nobody to a top talent agent. He never mentioned getting me treatment again.
On my birthday, I sent him the invitation from the research institute abroad. His expression darkened.
"I'm trying to land some deals right now. I can't get away. You'll have to wait a little longer."
"Okay. Well, it's my birthday today, and I bought..."
"I don't have time. Emily, I'm really busy these days. Try to be understanding. I'll make it up to you."
Clutching the tickets, I finally decided to go to the performance alone. But after the show, I saw Nathan. He was smiling as he gave a diamond ring to Rachel Foster, an up-and-coming opera singer and my best friend.
"Nathan, you bring me so many presents every time you come to see me. I'm running out of room at home."
"Then I'll buy you another house. If it makes you happy, it's worth it. And if you get tired of anything, I'll take it home to Emily. She can barely speak. It's not as if she can afford to be picky."
Rachel laughed and playfully hit his chest. "You're so good to me. What's wrong? Are you tired of her now that she's older and her voice is ruined?"
Nathan was silent for a long time. He didn't deny it. I gripped the tickets, shaking with anger.
'If you're so busy with your new love, it's time I started a new life of my own.'
*****
The audience erupted in applause as the performance ended. Nathan stepped into the spotlight and slipped a diamond ring onto Rachel's finger. The diamond was enormous, practically the size of a marble.
"You couldn't stop looking at this ring when we went to Sundara. It just arrived by air. Whatever you want, I'll get it for you."
Rachel's eyes filled with happy tears. They kissed as the audience cheered them on. I sat frozen in the back row, watching them kiss passionately onstage. It felt as if a piece of my heart had been torn out.
When Nathan proposed to me, all he had given me was a paper ring he had braided himself. He had held me, full of guilt, and said, "I can't give you anything better right now. Once my career is secure, I'll put the finest diamond in the world on your finger."
Now that he could afford it, someone else was standing beside him. For me, there were only excuses. "My career still isn't secure. Where am I supposed to find the time for sweet talk? Things like that are just possessions. Building a good life together matters more."
'He isn't too busy with work. He's too busy with his mistress. He'll spend money on jewelry. He just doesn't think I'm worth it.'
Fighting a fresh wave of hurt, I hurried backstage to say one last goodbye to my former voice teacher.
"I've made up my mind. Daniel found me the best treatment facility overseas. My voice can still be saved. I'm going."
She clasped my hands, her voice rising with emotion. "You've finally come to your senses! You destroyed your voice and threw away your career to save Nathan. Was he worth it?"
I lowered my head without a word. She sighed. "I know I shouldn't have kept this from you, but you only ever had eyes for Nathan. For the past 5 years, he's been the first person in the front row whenever the opera company puts on a show. He even had Rachel's microphone custom-made abroad."
I pressed my lips together. "Does he really love her that much?"
The assistant beside her spoke up angrily. "When Rachel had tonsillitis last year, he brought in all the top medical specialists in Briarhaven to treat her. They had her voice back to normal in no time."
My teacher shot the assistant a warning look, then turned back to me. "Emily, he isn't worth it."
Last summer, Nathan had suddenly announced that he needed to leave on a monthlong business trip. Before he left, he stocked up on anti-inflammatory medication for me and told me to call if my throat hurt.
During the first week he was gone, the pain kept me awake all night. I called him, but all he said was, "Go to the hospital if you're in pain. I'm not a doctor. You're an adult. Can't you be a little more independent?"
When I tried calling again, he blocked me. I had believed he truly couldn't afford my treatment, that he really was busy. I had never imagined the truth. He simply didn't want to treat me well.
I bowed my head as large tears splashed onto the floor. Resentment spread through me. I hated Nathan for lying to me for 5 years. I hated myself for willingly spending those 5 years as a housewife, pinning every hope of recovery on someone else's promises.
The lights dimmed and the audience left. I stepped back onto the stage and slowly opened my mouth. I wanted to sing something, to prove I was better than Rachel. But all that came out was a harsh rasp, echoing through the empty auditorium.
Before the tears could come, Nathan called.
