Chapter 7 

That very afternoon, I joined Mr. Cooper’s performance team and went straight on a business trip. 

I gave the house keys to Patrick, who helped me clean out all of Alex’s belongings. 

hat night, after finishing the performance, I saw over a hundred missed calls and messages from Alex. 

I randomly opened a couple, and his pleading voice came through: “Ember, this is my 

home. Where am I supposed to go? You can’t be so heartless. We have shared memories 

here.” I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. 

He used to rack his brain for excuses not to come home, to be with his mistress Nadia. Now 

that I’m giving him the chance to be with Nadia completely, he’s unwilling? How pathetic! 

His tone finally turned angry and frustrated: “Fine, leave then! Just you wait, Ember. When 

you’re on your knees begging me to reconcile, see how I’ll deal with you!” 

It wasn’t him who was pathetic, it was me. I had loved him so humbly for seven whole 

years, which made him think that even after losing my child, I would still beg him like a dog 

to be with me. 

I couldn’t be bothered to listen anymore and simply blocked him completely. 

For a week, I was busy day and night, often relying on painkillers to push through work. 

Alex was right about one thing – Mr. Cooper was a big client. His company’s performances 

alone were enough to sustain my small company, not to mention his industry connections 

could help me make a name for myself and expand my business. 

My mom came over twice out of concern, bringing home–cooked soup. She watched me 

finish every drop while muttering worriedly before heading back. 

It was only after leaving Alex that I realized how much of a mess I’d been these past few years, letting down those who loved me most. 

A week later, my team and I successfully completed this high–intensity assignment. As 

14:25 

Fake Wedding, True Pain 

Chapter 7 

hoped, we secured a year–long contract with Mr. Cooper, and unexpectedly landed the makeup gig for an international brand’s Paris fashion show. 

By the time I finished everything at the company and came out, night had fallen. To my surprise, Patrick was leaning against his car, waiting for me. Under the streetlight, his figure rivaled that of a runway model. When we were young, I always liked following 

behind him. He had always been so handsome. 

He grinned and waved at me. I took the document from his hand and was so excited I 

Couldn’t close my mouth for a good while. 

It was my divorce judgment from Alex. He was leaving with nothing, completely expelled from my life! 

Our whole family was exceptionally happy. My mom personally cooked to entertain Patrick, and my dad even drank a bit more than usual, which was rare. 

When I went to see Patrick out, I stood at the garden gate looking up at the stars. The smell of alcohol wafted from him. I turned my head to find him staring at me. 

I was about to point out the Big Dipper we used to find together as children when he suddenly grabbed my hand. “Ember!” 

I retreated in confusion, but he pulled me closer. “I love you, Ember!” 

I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. How could this be? We had barely been in 

contact. 

He laughed self–mockingly, but his hand didn’t let go. “See, you didn’t even know! I’ve failed so miserably. From childhood till now, you’ve been the only one in my heart. Before, Į thought you were still young, so I wasn’t in a hurry to say anything. I even thought what we had was meant to be.”