Not All Love Stories Lead to Rome

As usual, Ryan Miller slammed the guest room door hard.I knew he did it on purpose. He was waiting for me to come crawling back and beg for forgiveness.But I stayed right where I was on the couch. I didn't move. And for once, I didn't break down in tears or feel that familiar panic twisting in my chest. I just suddenly felt tired. So tired of this life.I hadn't done anything wrong, yet I was expected to grovel and plead like a dog begging for scraps.The villa's AC was cranked up high, but the ice cream cake sitting on the coffee table was already starting to melt. Just like my marriage to Ryan. No matter how hard I tried to hold us together, the cracks just kept growing.I reached out, scooped a little melted ice cream onto my finger, and put it in my mouth. The sweetness did nothing to mask the bitterness inside me.Ryan and I had been married for three years.The first year on my birthday, he stayed at the office all night fixing a botched proposal that Katie Jones had mes

"There's no one from the office here tonight. I'd take a hit from your wife and call it even. But what if one day she gets mad enough to come to the office and go after me? How am I supposed to show my face after that?" Katie said.Ryan's face went dark as thunder.He pulled Katie tightly against him and glared at me. "Emily. Apologize."His tone left no room for argument.I didn't flinch. I looked him right in the eye. "Not a chance."His lips pressed into a thin line. "If you don't apologize, we're done. For real this time."Even though I had already made that decision in my heart, hearing him say it out loud still made my chest ache. I couldn't quite stop the tremor.But I didn't let it show. I just gave him a cold smile. "Fine."…My mood was ruined, so I didn't bother going inside to ruin my best friend's night. I just went straight home.I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep at all. But as it turned out, I slept pretty well.Which is why, when I got up the next morning

When Ryan's face suddenly went pale, his assistant had no idea what was wrong."Mr. Miller, besides the gift and the restaurant reservation, should I also get a bouquet for your wife? She loves red roses," the assistant offered helpfully.The next second, Ryan grabbed him by the collar. "Did Emily deliver this herself?"The assistant shook his head frantically. "No, sir. She sent it by courier. Why? Is something wrong with the documents? Should I—"Before he could finish, Ryan let go of him and growled, "Get out."But just as the assistant turned to leave, Ryan stopped him. "Wait. Give me your phone."He dialed a number he knew by heart. It rang for a long time before someone finally picked up.A familiar voice came through the line. "Hey, Carson, what's up?"Ryan's breath caught in his throat. His heart trembled. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to beg her to come back.But his pride wouldn't let him. When he opened his mouth, what came out was, "Emily, you really think bloc

"Emily."Ryan's voice was flat, unreadable."We need to talk."I frowned slightly. "If it's about the divorce, you can talk to my lawyer. If it's about anything else, I don't think we have anything left to say."With that, I stopped looking at him and kept walking.Ryan grabbed my wrist. "Emily, stop messing around."Even now, he still thought I was just throwing a tantrum.I looked back at him with a half-smile. "Ryan, we were together for five years before we got married. We've been married for three. And you still don't know me at all, do you? I'm not like you—the one who's always threatening divorce."He opened his mouth, then closed it. Finally, he said, "Emily, it's been two weeks. Can we just go back to how things were? I know you don't like Katie. I fired her. Are you happy now?"I let out a soft laugh. "I'm not unhappy. What you do with her has nothing to do with me anymore. And you're right—it's been two weeks. According to the rule you made, we've been divorced twic

Sensing the impatience in my voice, Ryan's eyes turned bloodshot. His expression was pained."Emily, I admit I didn't handle things well with Katie. I crossed lines I shouldn't have. I'm sorry. I was wrong. But I swear—my heart has only ever belonged to you. Please believe me."To be honest, it was the first time I had ever seen Ryan look so desperate.But it was too late.The moment he missed my birthday again because of Katie, we were already over.I glanced at his pale face and, despite everything, invited him inside. I poured him a glass of hot water.He looked at the water, then at me, his eyes lighting up. He thought I was softening.So I made sure to crush that hope immediately."Don't get the wrong idea. I just didn't want you to pass out on my doorstep. Then your mother would come after me again. And you know how exhausting she is."The light in his eyes died instantly.But I didn't stop."You said that sleeping apart for a week meant automatic divorce. So every tim