Chapter 2 Do You Want To Marry Me

A quiet ache settled in Emily's heart. Wasn't he also pressuring her into a corner when he forced her to drop out of that famous director's film casting, just so he could push Kaitlyn into the spotlight?

"Why are you so hell-bent on protecting her? Remember, we're still married. Until that divorce goes through, she's just a homewrecker." Emily stared at Gavin, hatred burning in her eyes.

"Enough!" Gavin's face went black with anger. "You'll never learn to be sweet and agreeable."

In her past life, those words would have cut Emily deeply.

This time, she didn't care what he thought.

After glancing at her watch, she asked impatiently, "So, are we getting divorced or not? I have an important date this afternoon. If you're not going to sign the papers, then quit wasting my time."

"Who are you meeting?" Gavin blurted out before he could stop himself.

Before Emily could tell him it was none of his business, Kaitlyn cut in, "Gavin, Emily can see whoever she wants now. Asking a question like that... are you having second thoughts about the divorce?"

Kaitlyn's voice trembled, like she was about to cry.

Only then did Gavin realize how his question might have sounded. He patted Kaitlyn's head to reassure her before facing Emily with his familiar cold expression. "I'm having second thoughts? Impossible. We'll get it done now."

Once the divorce papers had been filed, Emily walked out of the courthouse feeling lighter than she had in years. Every step felt free.

Gavin, on the other hand, remained strangely unsettled.

What caught him off guard was how firmly Emily had signed the documents inside. She hadn't argued, hesitated, or tried to change her mind.

She really wanted the divorce. This time, she wasn't playing games.

For a moment, Gavin's pen hovered above the dotted line, but he soon remembered how much effort he had put into securing this chance and signed without further hesitation. He refused to let Emily get another opportunity to mistreat Kaitlyn.

"The divorce won't be official until the one-month waiting period is over," Gavin said before climbing into his car. "Until then, watch your behavior and keep your distance from Kaitlyn."

Kaitlyn tugged gently on his sleeve, playing the reasonable one. "Please don't be so hard on her. She's your ex-wife, after all. I'm sure she wouldn't really hurt me."

"Don't count on that." Emily's lips curled into a wicked smile. "I could always make sure your career in show business comes to an end."

Calling herself the ex-wife so fast? Kaitlyn had shown her true colors. Her innocent act was falling apart.

Even so, Gavin seemed utterly incapable of seeing through her performance.

At Emily's threat, Kaitlyn's face lost its color, and she turned her wide, tearful eyes toward Gavin as though she had been terribly wronged. "Gavin..."

A scowl spread across Gavin's face. "Emily, must you always be so vicious with your words?"

Emily almost laughed. After everything he'd done to her, what else did he expect her to be?

On their anniversary, he ditched her to go to Kaitlyn's wrap party. When she got hurt on set and begged him to visit, he ran off to back Kaitlyn up against a director instead. Even when a stalker kidnapped her, he was on an island vacationing with Kaitlyn.

Years of lies and betrayals had destroyed whatever affection they once shared, leaving nothing but resentment and hostility in its place.

Emily was done watching their little show. She turned and walked off. "Believe whatever you want!"

As she left, she couldn't shake the feeling that Gavin's gaze was fixed on her back. Suspicion made her glance over her shoulder, only to find him holding Kaitlyn close and soothing her gently.

Watching them cling to each other still made her feel sick.

Rebirth had given her another chance at life, but it hadn't made betrayal any easier to stomach.

With one last glance in their direction, she climbed into her car and drove off.

Her mention of an afternoon appointment hadn't been an empty threat meant to provoke Gavin. She genuinely had someone to meet.

And the best part? Her date was Colton Willis—the one man Gavin hated most.

In her last life, Gavin had drugged her and dumped her in Colton's bed. That night had been a blur—Colton had been rough with her until morning.

At first, Emily had assumed the drugs were the only reason Colton had behaved so wildly. However, when Gavin stormed into the room with a crowd of people to catch them in the act, Colton had unexpectedly taken responsibility to shield her, claiming that he had forced himself on her.

The police took Colton into custody, and the resulting rape scandal sent the Willis Group's stock price plunging.

The scandal cost Colton his seat on the board, while his furious father disowned him as an heir.

Meanwhile, Gavin jumped on his rival's downfall, snatching up several of Colton's projects. He'd also used the secret recording from that night to force Emily into the divorce.

Unknown to Emily, Gavin had arranged for a camera to be hidden in the hotel room beforehand, intending to obtain undeniable proof of her supposed affair.

The footage showed Emily and Colton in bed together, leaving her with little chance of denying what had happened.

To trap Emily, Gavin had Kaitlyn present her with two options. One: agree to the divorce, say Colton assaulted her, and send him to prison. Two: agree to the divorce, admit she cheated, and walk away with nothing.

Should Emily reject both choices, Gavin would release the intimate recording to the public, destroying the reputations of both her and Colton beyond repair.

As one of the industry's most celebrated actresses, Emily knew that a scandal of this magnitude could destroy her career overnight.

Faced with Gavin's cruel ultimatum, she refused to accept either option.

Though she herself had been wronged, she couldn't bear the thought of ruining another innocent victim's life.

At the same time, she wouldn't allow Gavin to walk away victorious.

With no other way out, she had taken her own life, leaving behind a letter that cleared Colton's name and revealed Gavin's ruthless plot to the world.

She had believed that only her death would finally convince people to listen to the truth.

But the dead could never learn what followed. She had no way of knowing whether Colton had eventually managed to turn the tables on Gavin or what had become of him after she was gone.

One thing was certain: this time, she had been given another chance to prevent the disaster before it unfolded and keep her distance from the man who had destroyed her life.

Meanwhile, in the most expensive restaurant on Silnord's fanciest cruise ship, Colton lounged in his chair, wearing a perfectly tailored suit that screamed money and power

A gentle breeze swept in from the sea, ruffling his neatly styled hair as it passed over his striking face.

His naturally seductive eyes had a way of making any woman who met his gaze feel as though she alone held his affection.

Despite that irresistible charm, he had never been known for his loyalty. Countless women had been linked to him, yet none had ever managed to win his lasting commitment.

The moment Emily came into view, he greeted her with his familiar, carefree grin. "So, Mrs. Collins, you were the one who invited me here. Aren't you worried your husband might get jealous if he finds out?"

Emily responded with an exasperated roll of her eyes.

What exactly was he trying to pull? Gossip about Gavin and Kaitlyn had spread everywhere, so there was no way Colton hadn't heard a word of it. He was obviously teasing her on purpose, hoping to get a reaction.

"Save your sarcasm. Gavin and I are ending our marriage."

Colton almost spat out his drink. He stared at her. "Wait—what did you just say?"

After placing her handbag beside her, Emily settled into the chair opposite him. "We submitted the divorce papers this morning. The marriage will officially end once the thirty-day waiting period is over."

For several moments, Colton simply stared at her, struggling to make sense of the news. His eyebrows drew together as he finally asked, "If that's true, what exactly do you want from me?"

Instead of answering immediately, she dug through her bag and pulled out a small velvet box. Inside was a pair of matching rings. She slid it across the table. "Once the divorce is final, I'll walk away with half of Gavin's fortune. So, Colton Willis—do you want to marry me?"