Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 52

Chapter 2

As I entered the lobby, I caught fragments of a hushed conversation between two male employees. Their voices were low, but their words carried a tone of envy and curiosity.

“Must be nice to have that kind of money to spend,” one murmured.

“The guy booked the entire place. I sneaked a peek earlier—it’s like stepping into a dream in there,” the other replied.

“CEO and his adorable little intern, huh?” the first whispered with a smirk.

“Sounds like something out of a soap opera. Real-life drama, for sure,” the second added.

Their words hung in the air just long enough for me to realize they were talking about Samuel. The moment they noticed me, their expressions shifted instantly, and they forced polite smiles onto their faces.

“Good evening, ma’am. I’m afraid the venue is completely booked tonight,” one said, his tone now carefully professional.

I steadied my voice despite the dryness in my throat. “Mr. Emerson asked me to deliver some documents. Please let me through.”

Upon hearing Samuel’s name, they seemed to assume I was connected to the company. Not only did they allow me entry, but they also directed me to the correct floor with courteous gestures.

When I finally stepped into the private dining room, the soft glow of candlelight illuminated the scene before me. There they were—Samuel and Lily—sharing an intimate dinner, laughter and warmth between them. The fragile hope I had clung to shattered completely.

“Samuel, so this is what you call an ‘urgent meeting’?” I said, my voice sharp, cutting through the quiet.

His surprise was evident; he hadn’t expected me to appear. Yet instead of guilt, I saw only a cold glare directed at me.

“Emily, are you stalking me now?” he snapped.

I chose to ignore his hostility and instead pointed toward Lily. “Two years of marriage, and you decide to spend Valentine’s Day wined and dined with her?”

“Samuel, don’t you think I deserve an explanation?” I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and anger.

Lily rose quickly, slipping into the role of the helpless, innocent woman. Her eyes wide, she tried to soften the situation.

“You must be Mrs. Emerson!” she said sweetly.

“Please don’t misunderstand us—Samuel and I are just friends,” she added hurriedly.

“He’s been so kind, helping me settle into the city,” she continued, her voice laced with a practiced innocence.

“After your accident, I took control of the company. I’ve been handling everything,” he continued, his tone bitter. “What more do you want from me?”

“Emily, I’ve stayed with you out of pity,” he spat, his words like knives. “Do you know how disgusted I feel every time I see that ugly stump of yours?”

His cruel statement hit me like a blow to the stomach. He said he was repulsed by my missing arm, but had he forgotten it was his own negligence in the lab that caused the explosion? If he hadn’t cut corners that day, I never would have risked my life rushing into the flames to save him.

Even as I was wheeled into surgery, barely conscious, my lips kept whispering, “Save my husband… the lab… lab… my… my husband…”

After I recovered, Samuel had broken down in front of our friends and family, promising to care for me forever. That’s why, when I stepped back from the company, the old employees supported him out of respect for me.

But now, five years later, the man who once vowed to stand by me was using his harshest words to defend another woman.

“Samuel, please don’t argue with Mrs. Emerson,” Lily said softly.

“It’s all my fault. I’ll leave now,” she added quickly.

“I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me this past year. I don’t want anything else—just this bracelet as a keepsake.”

With a slow, deliberate motion, Lily slipped the bracelet off her wrist, casting me a sly glance when Samuel wasn’t looking.