Night had fallen over the Sullivan estate, wrapping the sprawling property in a quiet darkness. The occasional sound of cutlery against fine china mixed with soft conversation and laughter around the dining table.
Madeline quickly settled into the lively atmosphere. Surrounded by people she had known since childhood, she enjoyed the warmth of the gathering. The familiar faces, the elegant surroundings, and the sense of belonging made her feel completely at home.
Yet despite the cheerful mood, one person stood out from the rest. Marcus sat among his family, but his attention wasn't on the meal. He barely touched the food in front of him. The calm expression he usually wore was strained, and the tension lingering around him was impossible to miss.
The reason was painfully simple. Emma was gone.
She had left with Isaiah Turner, and her sudden departure had left behind an emptiness that Marcus refused to acknowledge.
She hadn't taken a single thing, not the twenty million dollars he had offered her or the villa that would have guaranteed her a comfortable future. She walked away with nothing, as though everything he had tried to give her was something she couldn't wait to leave behind.
As Marcus remained unusually quiet, Henry Sullivan finally noticed.
"Where's Emma?" he asked. "Why isn't she here for dinner?"
The question struck Marcus harder than he expected. His fingers tightened slightly around his utensils. Lowering his eyes, he concealed the emotions stirring beneath the surface before answering in an even tone.
"We signed the divorce papers today. I'll handle the remaining procedures as soon as possible."
Henry froze in place. The glass in his hand stopped halfway to his mouth as shock spread across his face.
"Divorce?" Henry's voice rose instantly. "What are you talking about, Marcus? Why would you divorce her?"
Before he could press further, Megan Quinn, Marcus' stepmother, spoke up. A tired sigh escaped her as she looked around the table.
"Henry, I told you this would happen sooner or later. Marcus and Emma were never right for each other. Your father was the one who insisted on this marriage. That girl spent three years trapped in a relationship that never made her happy. Since she's decided to leave, maybe it's best to let her go. Honestly, this might be the best outcome for everyone. After all, you've always known Marcus never stopped loving Rose."
Henry's expression darkened.
"Marcus!" he said sternly. "Marriage isn't something you throw away whenever you feel like it. Emma is your wife. You can't just..."
A look of irritation crossed Marcus's face.
"Father, the divorce papers have already been signed. Emma has moved out of this house. This matter is over."
The sound of mocking laughter echoed through the room. Caroline, Marcus's half-sister, couldn't resist adding her opinion, "Well, that's unexpected. Who would've guessed that country girl would actually walk out? What's her plan now? Is she trying to make everyone feel sorry for her? Maybe she's going to tell the world that the Sullivan family treated her badly."
The moment those words left her mouth, Marcus's expression turned cold.
"That's enough, Caroline!"
Sensing the tension rising, Henry quickly stepped in.
"Marcus, you're rushing into this. Your grandfather's health is already fragile. Have you thought about how you're going to explain this to him? Do you really want to anger him in his condition?"
Marcus met his father's gaze without the slightest hesitation.
"I'll tell him exactly what happened. And while I'm at it, I'll tell him that Rose and I are getting married next month."
The dining room fell silent. A cold tension settled over the table as everyone absorbed his words.
Seated beside him, Madeline slowly lifted her eyes to look at him.
The determination on his face, the certainty in his voice, and the way he stood by his decision without wavering made her heart race. She couldn't stop staring at him.
Henry, however, looked as though he had been struck.
"This is ridiculous! Have you thought about what people will say when this gets out? You've been married for three years. Everyone will accuse you of abandoning your wife!"
Marcus didn't react.
"I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. I never loved Emma."
"Henry... please don't be angry with Marcus." Madeline's voice was gentle and filled with guilt. She leaned her head against Marcus's shoulder and let out a quiet sigh.
"This is all because of me. I shouldn't have come back. I'll leave for Meridan at dawn tomorrow. Marcus, you should return to Emma. I don't want to be the reason your marriage falls apart..."
Before she could continue, Marcus tightened his hold on her hand.
"Rose, stop blaming yourself. Emma and I are finished. That won't change. You've spent three years waiting for me, and I'm not going to make you wait any longer."
Outside the manor, the night wind drifted through the trees, carrying the faint rustle of leaves.
Far from the Sullivan estate, Emma, now Clara once more, was enjoying an entirely different evening.
Isaiah had taken her aboard a luxury yacht sailing across Moon River. The vessel moved smoothly through the water while dazzling city lights stretched across both banks, painting the night with a breathtaking glow.
"Ash, are you seriously trying to make me lose my mind? You brought me to the most romantic place in the entire city!" Clara laughed and glanced around at the countless couples gathered across the deck.
"Everyone comes here... I don't understand why you brought me."
A faint smile appeared on Isaiah's face.
"That's exactly the point. This is where everyone comes to show off how happy they are, and I brought you here without a second thought."
Then he let out an amused chuckle. "If you want to thank someone, thank Ethan. He's the one who promised the fireworks would start at exactly eight o'clock."
Isaiah checked the time on his watch. "Five... four... three... two... one..."
The next second, a deafening boom echoed across the river. Brilliant fireworks exploded overhead, painting the night sky in dazzling shades of red and gold. The crowd erupted into excited cheers as couples stopped to admire the breathtaking display.
Clara tried to act unimpressed, but the sight still touched her heart.
Isaiah laughed. "I have to admit, he did a pretty good job this time. Remember the weird presents he used to give you every year? Compared to those, this is a huge improvement."
As he spoke, he draped an arm around Clara's shoulders. The familiar warmth and quiet sense of protection made her chest tighten, and for the first time that day, the ache in her heart eased slightly as she leaned into her brother's comforting presence.
At the same time, a black sedan came to a stop near the dock. Marcus stepped out first, with Madeline's hand held firmly in his. A cool breeze swept across the waterfront, causing Madeline to lean closer against him.
"Marcus, look!" Her eyes brightened as she pointed toward the sky. "It's beautiful!"
Madeline possessed a natural innocence that had always drawn him in. Looking at her now, Marcus found himself making an unavoidable comparison. Emma had never made him feel that way. Three years of marriage had brought him nothing but quiet obedience and unquestioning compliance. It was nothing compared to what he felt whenever he was with Madeline.
A moment later, the fireworks shifted. Brilliant lights spread across the sky and formed two glowing words. "Happy Birthday!"
Madeline let out a soft sigh.
"This is incredible... I wonder who the lucky person is that's receiving something like this."
Marcus's jaw tightened.
Today was Emma's birthday.
And there was no need to guess who had arranged such a grand surprise.
Isaiah.
Just then, a familiar voice rose above the noise around them.
A yacht slowly passed by the dock, and the moment Marcus looked toward it, he spotted Emma standing on the deck beside Isaiah.
Madeline's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait... isn't that Emma?" she asked. "And the man beside her... doesn't he look familiar? They seem awfully close."
Marcus's expression darkened, and his grip tightened around the railing as anger surged through him. Just hours ago, Emma had been crying in front of him. Now she was standing beside another man.
As the yacht reached the dock, Isaiah helped Clara step ashore.
A commanding voice then cut through the noise.
"Emma Brooks!"
Clara froze. She knew who it was before she even turned around. Marcus was already walking toward her, his tall figure imposing beneath the dim lights.
Thirteen years of devotion had fallen apart. The only thing left behind was indifference.
"Who is this man?" Marcus demanded coldly.
Isaiah remained calm. "Mr. Sullivan," he replied. "Have you forgotten me already? We've met many times through business. If I remember correctly, we're competitors."
Marcus ignored him completely and kept his eyes on Emma.
"Answer me."
Clara met his gaze without flinching.
"We're divorced, Mr. Sullivan. What I do with my life is no longer your concern."
The words struck Marcus hard. Emma had never spoken to him like that before.
"The divorce isn't finalized yet, and you're already running into another man's arms?"
Isaiah's expression darkened, but Clara motioned for him to stay out of it. Then she turned back to Marcus, carrying herself with a confidence she had never shown before.
"If anyone knows a thing or two about impatience, it's you, isn't it? "You brought your lover into our home before our divorce was even finalized. I kept my mouth shut. So what right do you have to tell me how to live my life?"
The breeze lifted her dark hair, and a mocking smile curved her red lips. She looked breathtaking, fierce, and completely untamed. For the first time, Marcus found himself with nothing to say.
Not far away, Madeline finally spotted Marcus. The moment she saw him standing with Clara and Isaiah, jealousy flared inside her. She hurried over, but before she could reach them, she lost her balance. A cry broke through the night.
"Marcus! I hurt my foot!"
The moment he heard her voice, Marcus went to her immediately.
But by the time he looked back, Clara and Isaiah had already disappeared into the crowd.
