Pampered by Billionaires after Being Betrayed novel Chapter 2

An hour later, Emily returned to the Reed family's villa.

As soon as she entered, Emily saw Carol peeling an apple for Sophia.

Nathan, on the other hand, sat by, his gaze fixed on Sophia's slightly swollen belly. His face bore a tenderness she had never seen before.

They appeared to be a harmonious family.

Emily pushed the door open and Carol's smile faded. "I thought you had left... Sophia, don't mind her, have an apple."

Sophia looked uneasy as she tried to stand, clutching her waist.

Nathan squeezed her hand. "Sit down, don't worry about anything else."

Nathan stood up, his imposing figure dominating the room. "Emily, let's talk."

Upstairs was her and Nathan's bedroom.

Unfortunately, in the four years since, Nathan's visits home could be counted on one hand, mostly confined to the study.

Entering the room, he approached the bed, lit a cigar, his voice icy. "Speak, what are your conditions?"

Emily was puzzled. "What?"

"How much money will it take for you to agree to a divorce?" Nathan sneered. "You married me for money, didn't you?"

Emily felt like she had plunged into an ice cellar.

"I married you because..."

Because I liked you. But Emily couldn't bring herself to say it. She choked up.

Tears streamed down Emily's face. "I married you because of your grandfather's dying wish... He was kind to me, and I want to repay him."

"Enough!" Nathan abruptly stubbed out the cigar. "You did everything to please my grandfather, forcing me to marry you! You have no feelings for me. Stop with the useless talk. How much money do you want? Tell me quickly. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Emily laughed bitterly. "Have you always seen me like this over the years? Am I just a gold digger who did anything to marry you?"

"Then what?" His voice was unusually cold. "Did you marry me because you love me?"

All the words she was prepared to say became a joke.

He regarded all her efforts and sacrifices over the years as a joke.

Emily shook her head, smiling bitterly. "Nathan, you're a bastard."

"As you wish," Nathan tore a check, signed it, and tossed it in front of her. "Fill in whatever amount you want. Tomorrow morning, come with me to the law firm to sign the divorce agreement."

The light check fell at her feet. Emily didn't want to pick it up.

"Do you really like Sophia so much? Do you love her enough to divorce me?" Nathan strode towards the bedroom door, not wanting to stay with her for another minute. "At least she won't schematically manipulate me. She's willing to have a child for me. But you, not only do you not love me, you won't have a child for me either."

With a forceful slam, the door closed.

Emily felt like her spine had been pulled out, collapsing onto the floor.

Beside her lay the check, enough to end her marriage. Nathan's signature was clear.

His handwriting, like him, appeared sharp and heartless.

She picked it up, tore it to shreds, and threw the pieces out of the window.

She leaned against the corner, enveloped by darkness, feeling a little safer this way.

Her father had heart disease, her mother died in childbirth, and if it weren't for her father and Sophia's father's help, she might have died by now.