Chapter 404: The New Boyfriend
"Where are they?" Emily frowned, her voice weak.
Wesley stood beside her, scanning the distance. He didn't move. "They left."
Emily instinctively stepped forward to follow, but Wesley raised a hand to stop her. "Don't chase them. You've had too much to drink."
He paused, his gaze settling on her pale face. His voice softened further. "Actually, compared to Elodie, I'm more worried about you."
Emily looked up at him. The night wind stung, making her eyes redder. "I'm fine."
"You're not."
Wesley draped his jacket over her shoulders. "Your hands are freezing. Stop pretending."
He steadied her arm, lowering his voice. "Come on. Walk with me. Clear your head."
They walked slowly along the alley outside the bar. Wesley deliberately kept a slow pace, always positioning himself on the outer side to shield her from passing strangers. He glanced at her now and then, making sure she was steady on her feet.
After a long silence, he suddenly spoke. "Do you know what Charles was like as a kid?"
Emily froze slightly and shook her head.
Wesley gazed at the distant traffic, as if recalling a memory. "We grew up together. Even back then, he was loyal—dragged me into his games, dragged me into his trouble. And when we got caught, he'd take the blame. Teachers would call our parents, and he'd step forward and say it was all his idea. Got punished without a word of complaint."
Emily listened, feeling something faint stir in her chest.
"Back then, he was warm. Always laughing. Always stirring things up. Basketball, racing, boxing—he tried everything. Loved life so much it was almost annoying. I used to think he was like the sun."
Emily murmured, "He's not like that now."
Wesley's tone darkened as he shifted to another memory. "Charles's mother was kind to me too. Aunt Crystal would save me dinner, remember what I liked, and when my parents were too much, she'd let me stay at Windsor Manor for a few days."
He paused, his voice hoarse. "My home… back then, it was terrifying. My parents controlled every part of my life. When I ran away, Aunt Crystal was the one who found me. She said, 'Wesley, from now on, this is your home.'"
Emily's throat tightened. Suddenly, she understood why Wesley's loyalty to the Windsor family ran so deep.
"And then she died. Charles changed. He became cold. Distant. Wouldn't smile anymore."
He turned to look at Emily, his expression earnest. "But you know what? Deep down, he's still the same person. When it comes to love, he's more serious than anyone. He's not the kind of man who'd take marriage lightly."
Emily's fingers trembled.
Wesley continued, "If he's asking for a divorce, there's a reason. You might not know what it is yet—but it's there."
The ache in Emily's chest was suddenly replaced by something deeper—not hurt, but conviction.
She lifted her head, her voice hoarse but steady. "You're right. There has to be a reason."
Wesley nodded and gave her shoulder a light pat. "So stop torturing yourself with alcohol. The more you hurt yourself, the more it kills him—even if he won't let you see it."
Emily was silent for a long time. Then she smiled faintly, though tears nearly spilled. "Then I definitely can't divorce him."
She stared into the night, as if making a vow to herself. "The more he acts like this, the more I need to figure out what's really going on. I'm not signing anything. And he's not getting rid of me that easily."
Wesley looked at her stubborn profile and was suddenly reminded of Charles years ago—once he decided on something, he'd walk through walls before he turned back.
He sighed softly. "Emily, take care of yourself. As for Charles… I'll keep an eye on things for you."
Emily turned to him, her eyes still red, but she smiled. "Thank you, Wesley."
Wesley shook his head. "Don't thank me. Aunt Crystal was good to me. Charles is my brother. And you… you're family now too."
He paused, his voice warmer. "Let's get you home. I'll drive you."
The night wind blew past, carrying the chill of early autumn. Emily pulled his jacket tighter around her shoulders. The tangled knot in her chest seemed to loosen, just a little.
She didn't know what Charles was hiding. But she knew one thing—she wasn't letting go.
The two walked back toward the bar in silence.
Wesley's car was parked by the curb. He had just opened the door for Emily when a cold voice cut through the night air.
"Emily."
They both turned at once.
Charles stood across the street beneath a streetlamp, his black coat making his figure appear tall and sharp. But his face was deathly pale. His gaze bore into them, churning with emotions Emily had never seen before—anger, pain, and something else… despair?
"Charles?" Emily instinctively stepped forward, but Wesley gently caught her wrist.
That single gesture landed in Charles's eyes like a needle piercing straight through his heart.
He walked toward them, his stride steady, but his voice was ice-cold. "Late at night, out on the street with another man. How charming."
Emily's face went white. "You've got it wrong. I was just—"
Charles's mouth twisted into a mocking smile. "Wrong? I saw it with my own eyes. How could I be wrong? What, the divorce isn't even finalized yet and you're already shopping for a replacement?"
Wesley frowned. "Charles! Watch your mouth."
Charles turned to Wesley. "Watch what? Wesley, you're quite the caretaker, aren't you? Spending the whole night drinking and talking with my wife. How thoughtful."
Every word was a blade, cutting precisely into Emily's heart.
Emily's eyes filled with tears. "Charles, do you have to talk like this? Wesley and I were only—"
"Wesley? How affectionate. Guess you two really are close."
He took a deep breath, as if it took everything in him to force out the next words. "Emily, since you can't stand being alone, why don't you just sign the papers already? Save yourself the trouble of finding someone new—and save me from having to watch this pathetic display."
Emily's voice trembled. "You think I'm pathetic?"
Charles looked away, unable to meet her eyes. "What else would you call it? A married woman, out on the street late at night with another man. You think that's something to be proud of?"
Wesley finally snapped. "Charles! Enough! Emily had a rough night, and I was just making sure she got home safe! As her husband, you don't even care—and now you're insulting her?"
Charles laughed bitterly. "Not for much longer. Emily, I'll ask you one last time—are you signing the divorce papers or not?"
Emily's tears finally spilled over. "I won't sign! Charles, what happened to you? Why are you suddenly like this?"
"I haven't changed. I've just finally seen things clearly. We were never right for each other. It's better for both of us if we end this now."
He paused, then added something even more cutting. "And seeing you like this right now? It only proves I'm making the right call."