The next morning, I rolled up to Alex's company.

Right as I hit the steps, I heard her.

"These years... have you been okay, Alex? I loved your emails. Flew in on a private jet—got kinda lonely."

His voice went soft. "You've been through a lot."

"Don't." She laughed. "If it weren't for you, I'd still be scrubbing glassware. Seriously—thank you.

"I won't swing by your place before the launch—just in case Emma flips. She used to pity me, remember? Now that the tables turned, she might not take it well."

Classic Lily. Steals everything, then cries victim.

After my first FDA rejection, I asked if her product copied mine. She sued me for defamation. Almost dragged me to court. Alex hired a top lawyer and made it disappear.

I thought he was protecting me.

Now it just felt pathetic.

Through the cracked door, I watched him pull a flash drive from his safe and hand it over.

"This is Emma's latest artificial heart design. With this, your launch will blow the medical world away."

Lily snatched it, eyes sparkling like she'd won.

The divorce papers slipped from my hand and hit the floor.

Alex turned, face going ghost white. "Emma! What are you doing here?"

He rushed over. "This is Lily Hartway—the student you once mentored. She's just here for a collab."

"Emma, long time." Lily smiled, decked out in Armani.

"Yeah, long time." I shook her hand like I hadn't seen a thing. "Didn't mean to interrupt. You two look busy—I'll let you get back to it."

Alex followed me out.

"Emma, it's not what it looks like. Lily's a valve specialist—I just needed her input. You've always wanted this breakthrough. This is your shot."

The way he sold it, like nothing was wrong, almost made me laugh.

He sold me out, tanked our marriage, all for her. Now that he was close to the finish line, he wanted to act like it meant nothing?

"I trust your judgment," I said, flat.

He looked... relieved. Like I'd forgiven it all.

***

Back home, I started packing. Every designer bag, dress, and bracelet he ever gave me—boxed up and sent to charity.

Then my phone buzzed. A clerk from Tiffany's.

"Mrs. Ross, the custom ring your husband ordered last week is ready. We couldn't reach him—could you come by?"

Ring?

I showed up still in a daze.

The clerk opened the box—two platinum diamond rings. Center stone? At least five carats.

I glanced at the simple band on my finger—the one we bought off a street cart. My eyes burned.

Then a text from Alex:

[Darling, I ordered a gift for an important client. My phone died—can you grab it? My assistant will pick it up later.]

Important client. I let out a dry laugh and texted back: [Okay.]

I was already gone. No reason to call him out now.

That evening, Alex's assistant swung by for the rings and said Alex was off to Boston for work.

Later that night, I got a friend request.

Lily.

I accepted. She sent a video.

On a yacht in Boston Harbor, Alex—white tux, on one knee.

Fireworks lit up the sky as they kissed and slipped on the rings.

I typed four words: [Wish you the best.]

Then deleted the chat.

***

Three days later—launch day—Alex texted, begging me to attend Lily's big event.

I showed up at the Boston Convention Center. Security stopped me.

"Invitation?" the guard asked, all business.

"I'm Alex Ross's wife."

He gave me a quick once-over, eyes flickering with judgment.

"Mrs. Ross? Without an invite, I'm afraid—"

A Rolls-Royce rolled up.

Lily stepped out in a designer gown. The crowd practically bowed.

The guard's whole vibe flipped. He sprinted over, grinning like a fanboy.

"Dr. Hartway! Welcome! Everything's set just how you wanted."

Lily gave a tiny nod.

The guard glanced back and saw me still there. His face soured.

"Move it! This isn't your scene. Didn't I tell you to leave? Don't block Dr. Hartway."

He shoved me aside like trash—then turned and practically bowed to Lily.

She spotted me, took in the mess I must've looked like, and for a second, satisfaction flashed in her eyes. Then she slipped on her fake-nice mask.

"Stop," she told the guard, all righteous indignation. "What kind of attitude is that? Anyone's welcome at my launch."

She strolled over, voice sugar-coated.

"Emma used to be my benefactor. Without her help, I'd have never met Alex."

She paused, eyes gleaming.

"But Emma, feel free to watch—just don't start screaming plagiarism again like last time."

The word hit like a spark. Whispers flared.

"Wait, she's the one who accused Dr. Hartway?"

"Didn't she get sued?"

"No wonder she failed 99 times—probably stealing from others."

"Ugh. I actually felt bad for her."

The old me would've scrambled to explain, desperate not to embarrass Alex.

But not today.

Today, I just wanted it to be over.

A few minutes later, Alex stepped out of the hall.

Lily rushed over. "Totally my fault—I forgot to send Emma the invitation. Let's head in together."

He led me inside, turning to everyone nearby. "My wife's here to learn from Dr. Hartway's experience."

The second he said it, the whole room iced over. I was already the "failure"—now people straight-up avoided me.

Alex stuck close to Lily, walking her around like she was the main event. He kept introducing her to investors, cozying up like they were some power couple.

She clung to him more than once, and yeah, it stung. Bad.

The air felt thick, like I couldn't breathe. I stepped out of the restroom—and there she was. Lily, blocking my way.

She clocked how pale I looked and smirked like she'd just scored. "Well, Mrs. Ross? Wild seeing you hit rock bottom."

I clenched my fists, staring her down. "What's that look? Don't forget—you begged me for help with tuition fee. This is how you treat someone who had your back?"

Lily dropped the act. "Help? That was charity. You tossed me leftovers and wanted a thank-you card?

"You finally caught on, huh? Every bit of your research—Alex handed it to me. Sucks, doesn't it? Getting stabbed by the guy you loved?"

She leaned in, voice dripping poison. "And those picture-perfect parents of yours? Always warning you about me.

"That lab explosion? Yeah, I rigged it. I heard your mom calling your name before she died. Shame she never got to see her golden girl again."

My blood roared.

My parents' final moments hit me like a freight train—Mom's scorched face, Dad's broken stare.

It was her. All of it.

I snapped and slapped Lily hard.

She dropped like it was Broadway, shrieking like I'd stabbed her.

I lunged again, but Alex jumped in, grabbing my arm.

He threw himself in front of her, eyes blazing. "Emma! Are you out of your mind? Lily invited you here, and you attack her?"

The crowd circled fast, eyes full of judgment, ready to rip me apart.

Lily clung to Alex, sobbing like she was the victim. "I'm sorry, Alex. I just wanted to smooth things over. I didn't think Emma would—"

Then she switched tones, all angelic. "Forget it. If she hadn't helped me back then, I wouldn't even be here. Let's just call it even."

Even? What alternate universe was she living in?

I jerked against Alex's grip. "Alex! You owe me the truth—how do you think her company even took off?"

Panic flashed in Alex's eyes, but he covered it fast. "Explain what? Lily's been in Europe this whole time—how could she steal your research?

"I helped you go through every failed attempt. If you're not good enough, don't blame her. I really misjudged you, Emma."

He gave me one last icy glare before turning to Lily. "Security! Get her out. She's not coming back until the launch is over."

They yanked me out like garbage and shoved me to the ground.

I stood, dusted myself off, pulled out my phone. "Showtime."

I drove straight to the mansion and dropped the divorce papers dead center in the living room—no way he'd miss them.

Suitcase in hand, I paused at the doorway, taking one last look at the place I used to call home.

Then I pulled out my phone and uploaded everything—emails, patent transfers, the whole timeline—blasting it all over social.

Once it was up, I ripped out the SIM card, ditched it in the trash, and hopped in a cab to the airport.

***

Meanwhile, at the Boston Convention Center—

Lily stood under the spotlight, grinning like she owned the place. "Now, I'll unveil a revolutionary advancement in medical technology!"

Right then, the doors slammed open.

A group of sharp suits strode in, led by a senior-looking attorney.

"Sorry to interrupt," he said smoothly. "We represent Swiss Healthcare Group."

Lily's smile dropped. "Who are you? This is a private event! Security!"

The lawyer didn't flinch. He held up a document. "This is a court summons. You're being sued for stealing the intellectual property of Ms. Emma Ellington. See you in court."