Chapter 6: Caught in the Headlights

Derek and I sat in a booth at the local diner, the vinyl seat squeaking under me. The waitress refilled our Cokes twice without asking. For a moment, I could almost pretend I was just a regular girl on a regular Tuesday night.

He walked me home through quiet streets, leaves fluttering down from the maples and catching in my hair. "Emma, don’t move," he said gently, brushing them out and smoothing my hair. His touch was friendly, nothing more.

"By the way, you seeing anyone?" he asked, eyes hopeful.

I pressed my hand to my bare finger, feeling the ghost of my wedding ring. The mark hadn’t faded yet—a pale reminder.

Before I could answer, my phone rang. Unknown number, but I knew the area code. I answered, my heart in my throat.

"Where are you?" Nathan’s voice was pure ice.

I gripped the phone so hard my knuckles went white, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "You don’t need to know. Just sign the papers—then we’re done."

There was a pause, his breathing heavy on the line. Then Nathan laughed—a cold, dangerous sound. "Emma, even for a divorce, shouldn’t we meet face to face?"

"Everything I want to say is in the agreement," I forced out, voice brittle.

"So eager to leave? Already found your next guy?" His accusation was venomous.

Before I could respond, headlights cut through the dusk, pinning me in place. Derek stepped in front of me protectively. Through his fingers, I saw the Bentley—Nathan’s car, unmistakable. My heart hammered, every instinct screaming at me to run.

Nathan stepped out, jaw clenched, eyes locked on me. He hung up the phone and called out, "Emma, come here." There was no room for argument.