Chapter 19: Name It
A week later
Emma woke up that morning with a deep sense of dread that had become all too familiar. It had already been a week since she made the resolution to move on, and while she tried to keep her spirits up, the lingering heartache weighed her down like a heavy shroud.
The pain of loss was still fresh, still raw, but she was determined to push through it, for herself, if nothing else. She had promised herself that she would live, not just exist, and that was a promise she intended to keep, no matter how much it hurt.
Her room felt stifling, so she dragged herself out of bed and into the shower, hoping that the warm water might wash away some of her emotional burden.
As she stood there, letting the water cascade over her, she thought of how empty the house had felt over the past week.
Since Alex left her that day, he hadn't checked on her or had bothered sending the maids to call her for dinner or breakfast as he usually did.
He would just send them to bring food over for her and didn't bother asking her down. If she was being sincere, she missed his care. Perhaps, he was doing this to help her move on. She thought with a sigh as she stepped out of the shower.
After she dressed, she paused in front of the mirror, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "One step at a time," she whispered to herself, as though saying it aloud might somehow make it true.
With a deep breath, she headed downstairs, her steps slow but purposeful. She wanted to start going down for breakfast and dinner now. She wanted to let Alex know that she was ready to move on from everything. She was willing to let him be her shield and her strength.
When she got downstairs, she was greeted by the sight of Alex adjusting his tie, his back turned to her. He was getting ready for his first day at work as CEO of Ling Corp.
"Nice suit," she remarked softly as she approached, her voice void of the cheerfulness she tried to project.