She Got the Credit, He Got the Breakdown

I returned to the apartment and had just been there for half an hour when Matthew called.

As soon as I picked up the phone, his furious roar nearly pierced my eardrums. "Emma, you're so vicious! Sophie swallowed the key that was inside the chocolate. She's in the ER right now!

"You were aware that something was hidden within, yet you chose to remain silent. This was your intention all along, wasn't it? How could you be so heartless over a mere patent and a promotion?"

I held my phone tightly, and my chest felt heavy.

Previously, other women had also attempted to get close to Matthew. However, he consistently set boundaries. Sometimes, he even fired them immediately.

Yet, everything took a turn a year ago when Sophie joined the company. Despite her clumsy tricks, he chose to overlook each one.

Whenever I pointed out her inappropriate behavior, he accused me of being petty and narrow-minded. He always took her side.

And now, it was the same story. She was the one who got greedy and ate it, but somehow, I was the one being accused of a deliberate setup.

I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "I never meant to hurt anyone. The key was—"

"That's enough, Emma! Stop making excuses. Get to the hospital and apologize to Sophie now!" Matthew cut me off harshly and barked out the order.

I bit down on my lower lip, trembling from head to toe.

Sophie's frail voice came through the line. "Matthew, don't blame Emma because of me. She was probably just joking. Please don't be mad at her."

Matthew snorted. "It's all her fault you had to go through this. The whole celebration we planned for tonight is ruined!"

Then he turned his words back to me. "I'll be staying at the hospital with Sophie for the next few days. Don't contact me unless it's important."

As the call concluded, I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

During Matthew's absence over the past few days, I took the opportunity to gather and pack all my belongings from the apartment. I threw his gifts in garbage bags and removed the wedding photo from the wall.

On the nightstand rested a pair of ceramic bears. They were souvenirs from our honeymoon. Matthew had chosen them in Vastrel.

He once claimed they represented the eternal nature of our love. How ironic those words seemed in hindsight.

I smashed one of the bears against the floor, and the pieces scattered, just like our ten-year marriage. It was shattered beyond repair.

The day before I moved out, I took the divorce papers to the hospital to see Matthew.

Just as I reached the door of the ward, Sophie spotted me. She gave me a smug, provocative smile and deliberately pulled Matthew close. She started acting affectionate with him on the bed.

I ignored it, knocked on the door, and walked in. Without a word, I placed the documents in front of him. "Sign it. Let's both be free."

Matthew's cheeks flushed as he stared at me in shock. "What do you mean? Divorce?"

He snatched up the papers and tore them to shreds. "Emma, stop being ridiculous! I've told you many times that nothing is going on between me and Sophie.

"And with another new product launching next month, do you have any idea what a divorce right now could do to the company's stock?"

I glared at him coldly. "I don't care. I'll go through legal channels."

Matthew's face twisted with rage. He was on the verge of erupting.

Yet, Sophie swiftly stepped in front of him, only adding fuel to the fire. "Matthew, she's actually using the divorce to threaten you. You can't give in to her. If you do, she'll only push further next time."

Seeing the smug triumph in her eyes, I finally lost control and shoved her aside. "This is our marriage. It's none of your business."

Sophie hit the bed rail with a cry of pain and immediately turned to Matthew for help.

I expected the usual reprimand, but to my surprise, he shouted at her instead, "How dare you talk to her like that? Apologize!"

Tears filled Sophie's eyes in an instant. She whispered a quiet apology before running out of the room.

Matthew didn't go after her. Instead, he came home with me.