Are you game?

Chapter 3 A clean break

Elizabeth murmurs slightly:“Nothing serious, but my stomach hurts a little bit?”

Austin's eyes suddenly become darkened:“Have you seen a doctor?”

Elizabeth:“Not yet.”

Austin turns to the secretary and says:“Ask the driver to wait for me downstairs in one minute.”

He grabs his coat and runs out, telling her as he walks:“ I'll call the doctor in a second. I am on the way to your house.”

After hanging up the phone, the secretary follows him and says anxiously:“What about the meeting this morning?”

Austin pauses for a moment, then says:“Cancel it for now.”

Seeing Austin disappearing in the elevator, the secretary shakes his head while contacting the driver. The secretary wonders. He really can't understand this boss. Mr.Wells usually cares about Mrs.Wells in the One57 penthouse very much. He gives everything nice to her and treats her prudentially like protecting a princess. He hadn't heard of any rumors between Mr.Wells and this famous news broadcast host, Elizabeth, in those years. Why does such a person suddenly appear?

Emma walks aimlessly down the street beneath a somber sky.

Her thoughts are consumed by regret, facing the fact that her marriage with Austin is a mistake because his affections have never truly belonged to her. Last night, he did not touch her even though there was so much expectation from his grandmother. Actually, s*x is always off the table between Austin and Emma. They are more like two good friends sharing the same house rather than a married couple. Emma once wanted to ask for help from a doctor for Austin. But seeing he was with different pretty companions at different social events, Emma gave up these thoughts. Austin is just not interested in her. In a moment of sobriety, she decides to take action. She grabs a taxi, directing it towards the lavish penthouse at One57.

With a purpose in her steps, she is gathering her belongings. Every item she packs is a symbol of leaving behind the past. Knowing that this is the first step to reclaim her independence and return to the safe haven of her own, where she can finally begin to heal, she feels peace inside.

Austin, the nominal husband, actually has been treating her as a princess.

Austin's generosity is evident in the vast majority of items in her closets. Most of the things in the closets are bought for her by Austin. Each season, the freshest, most fashionable couture and ready-to-wear from renowned labels find their way into her spacious wardrobe. Within the crystalline jewelry cabinet, an array of exquisite jewelry pieces illuminates the interior of it. Each piece shows evidence of Austin's thoughtful gift-giving and his own impeccable taste.

The house is not roomy enough, many of the luxury goods are moved to the villa in the eastern suburbs by the maid. This villa is supposed to be the wedding house for Emma and Austin. However, Emma has only been to this villa once. Because when she first went there, the villa was still under construction. It seemed that they were reconstructing the garden of this villa. After getting used to staying in the penthouse of One57, Emma has never returned to the villa again.

The daily supplies of Emma and Austin are mixed together in a jumble. Her sweater is next to his suit. Her skirt is tucked into his shirt. Her bracelet is crossing his watch. Emma did all of this on purpose. When she first got married, things were hanging and placed neatly, and Austin's clothes were on one side, clearly distinguishing themselves from Emma's. She always felt that she was so far away from him. So, even if letting the clothes and accessories be next to his’, it is another layer of intimacy for her.

Austin had tried to ask the maid to tidy the clothes and accessories up and separate them by the category of female and male again and again. However, Emma would mess them up again and again every time. After getting used to the mess in the closets, Austin doesn't say anything anymore. This habit has persisted to this day.

Emma puts her clothes and accessories back into the places where they used to be, and categories them into male and female as Austin liked in the past. Looking at the neat cloakroom, she suddenly feels a sense of relief. It's as if they also want to return to their own lives.

After packing the whole morning, there are only three suitcases she wants to take home with her, and one of them is full of design books, the other is full of her design work. She didn't take any luxury goods with her except a few clothes she usually wears.

Her own little apartment has been unoccupied for a long time. Since it is the apartment her mother left for her, she had asked a part-time housekeeper to come over to clean it once a week, so it's still clean. She doesn't have the strength to unpack anymore. Her body feels enormous tiredness ,so does her heart. She falls asleep directly on the sofa.

The phone rings again and again. Emma finally wakes up from the sofa. The phone screen shows the name of Austin. Emma picks up the phone.

Austin's voice sounds on edge with a little bit of anger:“Why didn't you answer the phone?”

Emma doesn't answer his question:“Why do you call me?”

Austin sounds more angry and says: “They said you packed up and left. Where are you?”

Emma doesn't answer his question again and asks:“Do you have anything important to talk with me about?”

There is a long silence on the other side of the phone, then Austin says: “I will ask the lawyer to draw up a divorce agreement. If you have any requirements, just tell the lawyer. I will satisfy all your requirements”

Turns out it's about the divorce settlement.

Emma looks up and lifts her head, holding back the tears in her eyes. She takes a deep breath, and says:“just write it as you wish. I have no opinion on the divorce agreement.”

Austin hears the weep in her voice: “Emma, you...”

“When?” Emma interrupts him, she really doesn't want to hear any pity or sorry words from his mouth.

Another long silence, Austin says: “Today.”

At the City Hall.

Emma sings on the divorce agreement without even looking at it. On the contrary, looking at her signature ,Austin is silent for a minute as if he has a little bit of hesitation and reluctance , and then he signs the agreement.

It had been years since they tangled with each other. Her heart is getting more exhausted after the two-year asexual marriage. The more she feels is relief rather than heartache.

Two years ago, when they first got married, Austin asked Emma:“Will you regret it?” She was smiling and answered without any hesitation:“Never!”

But now she regrets it. If she had known this was the end, she would have preferred to just look at Austin silently in high school, instead of running up to him cheerfully and saying:“I remember you, we've met before.”

Emma is about to leave after they finish all the divorce process, Austin calls her to stop:“Emma.”

Emma calmly turns back:“Well, anything else?”

She takes a good look at Austin. He doesn't look very good. He has been like this in recent months. There is more or less a little worry between his eyes.

Austin asks:“Where are you going? I'll give you a ride.”

The driver respectfully opens the door of the limo and waits aside. Emma is leaving with a big wave and says : “No need, I have got other things to do. Goodbye.”

Austin is looking in the direction which she left until her figure disappears without turning around.

Austin sits in the limo, leans back and closes his eyes as if he is thinking. The limo has been parking here for more than half an hour attracting countless sidelined pedestrians, then the driver asks:“Mr.Wells, are we going ......”

Austin doesn't open his eyes, and his voice is tired: “Go home.”

When he opens his eyes again, the limo is parked in front of a house which is close to the grandmother's villa.

Austin frowns: “Why did you take me here?”

The driver wipes the sweat from his forehead and says respectfully:“You said 'go home.”

Austin meant going home, but where is the home without her? He was really confused. Austin doesn't say a word. The driver sees the thoughtful Austin in the rearview mirror. He understands instantly and restarts the car.

Suddenly,the door of the house is opened at this moment.

A woman wearing loose pajamas walks out of the door with a gentle smile on her beautiful face, and she waves her hand at the limo. It is Elizabeth.

Austin takes a glance at her and says: “Go to my grandmother's house.”

The driver doesn't dare to say anything. Looking at the surprised look on the woman's face, the driver turns around the car and drives towards the grandmother's villa.

These two places are close to each other, so it is just the mealtime when they arrive at grandmother's villa.

Grandmother is not at the table. There are only Austin’s parents in the dining room. He doesn't even change his shoes, goes over and throws the divorcement certificate on the table:“Satisfied?”

Austin’s mother, Monica, picks up the divorce certificate. She is about to open the files and take a good look at it. Austin grabs the files away.

Monica asks:“Then you and Elizabeth......”

“Never.” Austin confirmedly refuses, and then walks toward the door.

A few steps out, he suddenly turns back, staring at his father, Dave Wells, and he threateningly says :“I hope you will do as you said.”

Dave Wells slaps the table:“Watch your tongue! I'm your father.”

Austin doesn't look at him anymore. Then he left.

Austin thinks there is no need to inform anyone else, just as when they got married. It was Austin’s decision to get married to Emma. No matter how much his family objected to this marriage two years ago , nothing could shake his determination. Considering the status of Austin, hiding his wife, Emma, in the dark is also a good way to keep her safe. Apart from family members and a few trusted servants, Austin's marriage has been kept as a secret. What is more, he is often seen at social gatherings with a variety of female companions, so the outside world still regards him as a hot and eligible bachelor.

As for Emma, there are not many of her acquaintances who know that she was once married, and also, the decision of divorce does not need to be deliberately notified. Emma only tells it to her bestie ,Bonnie and her buddy, Ken. She doesn't dare to mention the divorce to her mother who is living thousands of miles away. She only told her mother that she wanted to take a short break from school, and go out of the city to have a long vacation.