Back then , she was vibrant and full of life - her movements agile , her presence commanding , and she had once stood beneath thunderous applause ... So , was saving his life a mistake ? Even in that moment , when she pulled him from the brink , marriage never crossed her mind . He was the one who insisted they should wed . He orchestrated a grand proposal , kneeling before her with a glittering diamond ring , offering her hope ... Her hands shook as she fumbled to switch off her phone . For the first time in five years , she collapsed onto her bed and sobbed uncontrollably . She cried for a long , long time . So long that exhaustion finally set in . So long that , in the end , not a single tear was left - only a searing pain in her chest , burning and relentless . But it was that very pain that , after she was battered by the suffocating whirlpool of her emotions , finally brought her a sliver of clarity . The more it hurt , the clearer her mind became . She stumbled into the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water , forcing herself to calm down . Staring at her own lifeless reflection in the mirror , she whispered , " Emma , one breakdown is enough . No more tears . Now , you're going to eat , get some rest , and tomorrow , you'll ace that exam . " Her only consolation , after five long years of marriage , was that she had kept busy - studying every day just to fill the emptiness . Not because she had grand ambitions , but because the days were endless and unbearably dull . Waiting for Theodore to come home had become her whole world . But Theodore always came home late . At first , she believed it was work - he was busy , she told herself . Only later did she learn the truth : he simply didn't want to come home and face her . She had heard it with her own ears . 1/3 11:47 Chapter 8 Back then , she'd tried to be understanding, believing his job was exhausting . She'd even mustered the courage to make him a special meal and bring it to his office , hoping to surprise him . But instead , she overheard a conversation she never should have . He was talking with his childhood friend in his office . His friend asked why he hadn't left yet - it was late , the office was empty , and what was the CEO still doing there ? Theodore replied , " I just don't know how to face Emma's enthusiasm when I get home . " The meaning behind those words escaped her at the time - she was still so naïve - but his friend understood instantly . He blurted out , half - joking , half - shocked , " No way , Theo . Don't tell me - you two still haven't slept together ? " Theodore fell silent . It was true . Theodore had never touched her . She had tried to hint , even gone so far as to take the initiative , risking embarrassment . But every time , he found some excuse to turn her away . Things like , " You're not feeling well ," or , " I'm just exhausted lately . " She wasn't stupid . Slowly , she realized - he simply didn't love her , and so , he didn't want to touch her . But hearing him say it out loud that day felt like a thousand needles piercing her heart . The pain was so sharp , it stole her breath . Then his friend , trying to lighten the mood but only making it worse , asked , " What , you don't feel anything at all ? Come on , Theo , she's still a beautiful woman . " Theodore's answer became a splinter lodged deep in her chest , a wound that festered over the years , aching whenever she remembered . He said , " I've tried . I wanted to have a normal marriage with her . But whenever I see her leg , I ... I just lose all interest . " So that was it ... The leg that was scarred and wasted from saving his life - he found it disgusting . 2/3 11:47 Chapter 8 Repulsive . It killed any desire he might have had . She never did knock on his office door that night . The special meal she had made with so much care ended up in the office trash can . After that , she never set foot in his company again . Chapter 9