Chapter 0002.

Have you ever felt like your heart has been put in a mincer? That is how I feel right now looking at them. I feel like my heart has been shredded into pieces.

I wanted to run away. To look away, but I don't want him to see me feeling jealous of him. Unfortunately, Amory's phone rang, giving me the chance to leave the room.

Feeling a lump form in my throat, I excused myself to the bathroom, needing a moment to compose myself. As I splashed cool water on my face, I couldn't share the feeling of inadequacy that gnawed at me, wondering all over my sister's words.

As I hurried out of the bathroom, my mind still swirling with emotions, I failed to notice the figure approaching from the opposite direction. Before I could react, I collided with someone, nearly stumbling backward in surprise. Looking up, I find myself face-to-face with Amory. His eyes widened momentarily in shock before softening with concern.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, reaching out to steady me. His touch was gentle, but I could read the look in his eyes.

"Is something wrong?" I ask showing regard over his look.

"my grandmother was rushed to the hospital. I received news telling me she fainted. I have to get going."

"What?" I was shocked at the mention of that, and let go of the worries within me. "Should I get Elena to come too?" I said pointing in the direction of where I left them.

"Why would you ask her?" he ruffles his hair with his hand, looking at me with his deadly eyes.

"Well, it's about your grandmother. You should let Elena know since you two are having marriage talks, she'll be your family."

"Family?" his face down looking at my feet but I guess I shouldn't step into the matter since I have mine.

"Oh, right. I forget to thank you," he let his guard up. "You took great care of my husband. Thank you so much," I bend my head in respect of what he's doing for my family.

"Are you their spokesperson? Why are you thanking me and talking to me on their behalf?"

"That is because we are family," I mumble to say something.

"Do you think they feel the same about you?" I know I have not been taken care of but I can't let anyone insult my family in my presence or even just because of me.

"Mr Amory, you're crossing the line," he took a step forward, closing out the distance between us. I take a step back, leaning against the wall.

I felt a sudden firm grip on my hand, causing me to startle in fright. My heart races with his dreadful gray eyes pins me to the spot while fighting back my hand.

"Answer me, Emma, are you really that dense? Or are you just pretending to be dense?"

"I don't know what you mean. Please let go of my hand," his temper became so hot but it was good to realize when to let go of my hand when he realized what he was doing.

I lean back against the wall after he let go of my hand.

"I'm sorry. I made a mistake. I shouldn't have been involved in the first place. We won't be seeing each other again. Take care," with a heavy heart, he turned and left with his footsteps echoing in the silence that followed.

As I stood there, stunned by the words he uttered, I felt a mixture of shock and hurt wash over me. His careless remark cut deep, leaving a rift between us that seemed impossible to bridge at that moment.

Alone with my thoughts, I struggled to make sense of what had just transpired. Why would he say something like that despite knowing we are family? Or was it just a moment of thoughtlessness?

I decide to take my leave to ask Zayn what's wrong with both of us with Amory questions swirling in my mind.

Getting into the room, I'm unable to move further while watching my sister and my husband exchanging pleasantries, a pang of jealousy surged through me like a tidal wave. His smile, warm and affectionate, seemed to light up the room in a way I hadn't seen in ages. It was a smile I had longed for, a smile that had become all too rare in our own interactions.

As they chatted, laughter filling the air, I began to replay Amory's words and one thing became clearer to me. "Are you really that dense? Or you're just pretending to be dense?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. I couldn't bear to witness their easy camaraderie while standing near the door looking at them.

With a heavy heart, I turn and quietly slip out of the room, my footsteps muffled by the weight of my emotions. I didn't want them to see me like this, vulnerable and broken, consumed by feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

I needed fresh air. I needed to cry and think. The moment I get outside the tears begin to fall. It fucking hurt and I didn't know how to numb or stop the pain. But who could I blame? I was the one at fault for falling in love with a man that didn't love me.

"Please make it stop. Make the pain stop," I beg whichever higher power is there to listen to me. There is no answer anywhere.

My hands shoot to my chest. I feel my chest constricting. I couldn't get enough air into my lungs no matter what I tried. I felt like I was slowly dying. Slowly fading not just because of seeing my husband with my sister exchanging pleasantries with an ease and familiarity that seemed to mock the emptiness in my own relationship but his smile, so genuine and affectionate, was a stark contrast to the coldness I often felt in our interactions, and also the pain of been unwanted by my parents lead me to collapse against the wall, overcome by bitter sobs.

Lost in my own misery, I was startled by the sudden commotion as a group of police officers and reporters rushed past me, their voices adding to the chaos of the moment. Instinctively, I wiped away my tears, desperate to conceal my anguish from prying eyes.