"Oh, and there's something else you don't know."

"I'm the one who drafted your prenup. And your family's bankruptcy? That was my design too."

"So don't even think about getting rid of me."

"I'm nothing like you, some pretty face with nothing behind it. I'm the one who deserves to stand beside Curtis in the end."

That vicious look on her face—it brought back the memory of my father's eyes in his final moments. Hopeless. Defeated.

I couldn't hold back anymore. My hand flew before I could stop it.

The slap had barely landed on Margot's cheek when a force shoved me hard to the side.

Curtis had appeared out of nowhere, positioning himself between us like a shield.

His face was full of concern as he examined the faint red mark on her skin. Those eyes that had once looked at me so tenderly now barely concealed his rage.

"Emma, what the hell are you doing?"

"Apologize to Margot. Now."

"Do you have any idea what this looks like if someone sees? You're damaging the company's image!"

He was worried about Margot. He cared about the company.

He didn't notice—or didn't care—that something inside me had already turned to ash.

I pulled myself to my feet. The words came out through clenched teeth.

"Curtis. I want a divorce."

Divorce.

I could cover Mom's medical bills myself.

I could work to pay off every cent of that debt.

Even if it took the rest of my life.

Even if it drained everything I had.

Anything was better than suffering by Curtis's side forever.

My words caught him off guard—a flicker of shock crossed his face.

But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by that familiar arrogance. That look of a man who believed he controlled everything.

He pulled Margot behind him and looked down at me.

"Emma, stop being ridiculous."

"You know how trashed your reputation is right now."

"Leave me, and your life is over. You'll never recover."

"Just do as I say. Apologizing to Margot is for your own good."

My life was already in ruins because of him.

How much worse could it get?

This time, I was done bowing my head.

I refused to look at the fake affection in his eyes. I shook off his hand and walked out without looking back.

On my way, Curtis flooded my phone with messages.

He still didn't know I'd learned the truth.

He kept urging me to apologize to Margot, insisting it was all for my benefit.

I ignored every one. But as I turned a corner, someone stepped into my path.