Emma's POV:

"You're sick. Running a high fever." Adrian said, touching my forehead with a serious expression.

I shook my head weakly. "I took medicine on the plane."

"I'm calling the family doctor." He sighed, pulling out his phone and stepping outside to make the call.

I lay there, powerless. After what felt like forever, Adrian returned, carrying a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a glass of warm water.

The soup smelled amazing, but all I wanted was to sleep.

"I'm not hungry. I don't want to eat," I muttered.

"No, you need to eat something. Sit up," he insisted.

Adrian grabbed a pillow and positioned it against the headboard for me to lean on.

I struggled to sit up, coughing so hard it left me breathless.

He gently wiped the corner of my mouth with a tissue.

"Here, eat." He said softly, scooping up some soup to feed me.

I stared at him, caught off guard. The last time he'd taken care of me was so many years ago...

I grew up in the projects. When I was twelve, my parents were killed in a robbery gone wrong. That same year, I came to live with the Thornes and met Adrian. I'd never seen such a perfect man before - it was love at first sight for me. But to Adrian, I was always just his little sister.

After he found out I liked him, maybe afraid I'd get too attached, he became distant - barely even smiled at me...

I finished the soup and drifted off again.

When I woke up, it was already morning. Sitting up in bed, I spotted Adrian asleep on the couch nearby.

‘Had he stayed up all night taking care of me?’ I thought.

I was stunned. After feeding me soup last night, he'd watched over me all night. Why? Weren't we getting divorced?

Hearing me stir, Adrian woke up.

His hair was messy, but he still looked breathtakingly handsome. Rubbing his eyes, he asked, "You're awake. Feeling better?"

I nodded, hesitating before asking, "Why did you sleep here?"

Adrian's expression changed, his voice turning cold. "I...I needed to make sure you recovered quickly. How can you meet Aria if you're sick?"

I froze. "What?"

"I don't want her feeling guilty about our divorce. At lunch, tell her you've fallen in love with someone else. Make it clear this has nothing to do with her."

"So, everything you did was for Aria?"

"What else would it be?"

I gave a bitter smile, closing my eyes as waves of pain washed over me. Of course - everything he did was for Aria. For a moment, I'd foolishly thought he might still have feelings for me. I kept letting myself believe these silly fantasies about this heartless man...

I agreed to meet Aria. Even if Adrian only cared for me for her sake, it did speed up recover.

My fever had broken. After getting up, I took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and got into Adrian's car.

I met Aria at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. She looked elegant and beautiful, showing no signs of the supposed illness.

"Long time no see, Emma!" Aria greeted me with a hug, her tone tinged with guilt. "This is all my fault - I heard you and Adrian are getting divorced..."

I couldn't tell how much of her apology was genuine. Remembering Adrian's words, I forced myself to smile and said, "I met someone in Merida, an artist. After Adrian and I divorce, we can both find our own happiness."

The truth was, I'd never been with anyone else during our marriage.

I glanced at Adrian. He was cutting his steak, but his hands froze mid-motion when he heard my words.

"Really?" Aria's eyes lit up. "Do you love him?"

I was caught off guard.

"Of course." I lied, keeping my expression calm.

"That's wonderful! Adrian, we don't need to worry about Emma anymore. Let's toast to her happiness!" Aria beamed as she raised her wine glass.

Adrian followed suit, lifting his glass.

"Emma, promise me you'll be happy," he said.

Aria's words seemed sincere, but I could see the challenge lurking in her gaze.

"Of course. You too," I replied, clinking glasses with them.

We emptied our glasses, sealing the empty promise.

"Adrian, where should we honeymoon? Merida maybe..." Aria leaned into Adrian, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Whatever you want, you decide," he replied, indifferent.

"Then Merida it is." Aria wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

They acted like love-struck teenagers, completely ignoring my presence. My hands trembled as I sat there, my heart bleeding.

Suddenly, I realized I shouldn't have come.

I wasn't nearly as okay with this as I'd thought.

Desperately, I downed an entire bottle of wine. The alcohol churned in my stomach, the pain making me break into a cold sweat.

"You two keep talking. I need to go," I said, standing abruptly. A wave of dizziness hit me. But I couldn't stay. Without waiting for their response, I walked straight out. Only when I was alone did I break down crying.

I'd loved Adrian since I was twelve. He had been my whole world. But from now on, I was determined to forget him.