Emma's POV:

Adrian fell silent.

It was only half a minute, but it felt like an eternity.

He looked at me with a deep, unreadable gaze, his eyes flickering with emotions I couldn't decipher.

"Divorce isn't as simple as you think, Emma," he finally said. "Besides, Grandfather still has our marriage certificate. Even if we both signed the paper now, it wouldn't take effect immediately. These things take time. Until then, I'll fulfill my duties as your husband."

With that, he turned and walked away.

‘So, he doesn't want to divorce me just because Grandfather has our marriage certificate? And now, he's forcing me to quit my job because of his "husbandly duties"?’

I suddenly felt exhausted...

Time and again, I tried to find some meaning in our relationship, only to be let down every single time.

Thunder rumbled, and lightning streaked across the sky.

A storm was brewing.

My moving plans would have to wait.

I went home, quickly reviewed my interview script, and went to bed.

Half-asleep, I heard the sound of the mattress shifting.

Then, someone climbed into the bed and lay down beside me.

I opened my eyes to find - Adrian. Why was he back? And getting into bed with me!

"What are you doing?" I hissed, clutching the blanket tightly.

"Relax," he scoffed. "Even if you were naked, I wouldn't give you a second look." Then he added, "It's raining tonight, and the couch is cold."

"You could go to Ar-"

Before I could finish, he pushed me back down, his voice firm. "Go to sleep."

I stared at him, puzzled. ‘Had he fought with Aria?’

Whatever. He was still my husband for now, and I couldn't exactly throw him out.

I shifted over, making room for him.

But Adrian wasn't satisfied.

As soon as he lay down, Adrian reached for the blanket I had wrapped tightly around myself.

I could handle sharing a bed, but sharing a blanket? That was crossing the line. I glared at him, pulling the blanket back.

"This is my blanket. Don't you have anything else to use?" I angrily said.

"I don't have another thick blanket. You think I want to share one with you? I don't have a choice." he replied.

"Then use a thin one." I insisted.

"Why are you making such a big deal about this? It's just a blanket. Why are you so worked up?"

Adrian sat up and yanked the blanket to his side.

"You..." I was seething but couldn't win the tug-of-war - he was too strong. I was no match for him.

With no choice left, I gave up.

I sat up, ready to leave for another room.

But Adrian pressed me down again, "Don't go anywhere. Sleep."

I reminded him, "Adrian, we're about to get divorced. Don't you think it's inappropriate for us to sleep together?"

Adrian didn’t answer. He just kept his arm over me, acting like he hadn't heard a word. Then, he spread the blanket over both of us.

I turned my head, shooting daggers at him with my eyes.

He lay there with his eyes closed, completely unfazed. Then, suddenly, he opened his eyes and flashed me a smug smile.

I was so mad I almost slapped his forehead.

A moment later, the sharp ring of his phone broke the silence.

Adrian's phone was ringing.

It was Aria.

She was always the one calling Adrian in the middle of the night.

She'd always call him in distress, saying something about feeling awful, and Adrian would drop everything to rush to the hospital to be with her.

I knew this routine all too well.