Emilia's POV
The next day, when Twinkle was about to leave, I had already changed my clothes.
"I'm going back with you."
Twinkle's expression froze for a moment, and then he gave a faint smile.
"Okay, we'll be back as soon as possible."
I knew he was afraid I would interfere with Amelie.
But she wasn't my goal. I just wanted to see my family one last time before leaving.
After all, I might never see them again.
When we arrived home, the entire hall was packed with people. Amelie was receiving countless wishes from everyone.
She wore an extravagant gown. Her makeup was flawless, and she stood among the crowd like a noble princess.
When she saw me walk in, her smile faded noticeably, but she still approached me with elegance.
"You're here. I thought you'd gotten used to being a rich housewife and forgotten all about me."
I ignored her sarcasm and looked elsewhere.
"Amelie, I got this for you. Happy birthday."
Twinkle's voice was full of emotion. He looked at Amelie with affection and pain.
"Thank you, Twinkle. I needed your wishes the most!"
Amelie smiled as she took the gift and then flashed me a provocative smirk.
Then, she walked over to the piano and started playing gracefully.
The moment the first note sounded, I froze in place.
She was playing the piece I had stayed up for days composing, the one I planned to use for an international competition after I'd left.
As Amelie played, she glanced at me, giving me another mocking smile.
And Twinkle, who stood nearby, looked as though he were overflowing with love.
Suddenly, the piano's fallboard dropped. Although Amelie dodged quickly, it still hit her.
"Ah!" She clutched her hand and trembled as she sobbed.
The piano let out a loud crash, and the room instantly descended into chaos.
"Oh my god, the fallboard hit Amelie's hand!"
"What should we do? She's a pianist!"
"Call a doctor!"
In the middle of the commotion, I heard someone shout Amelie's name with panic and deep concern.
My body jolted.
It was Twinkle.
Panic filled his eyes as he rushed to Amelie's side almost instantly.
"Amelie, let me see your hand!"
Tears streamed down Amelie's face as she placed her hand in his.
Her pinky was slightly swollen, but the rest of her fingers were fine.
But to Twinkle, this was already a serious injury.
He held her hand gently with heartache in his eyes. Amelie looked at me, then immediately began to cry harder.
"My sister gifted me this piano. I never imagined…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was obvious.
Twinkle immediately turned to me. His voice was gentle but laced with reproach. "Did you tamper with the piano? Apologize to Amelie."
My eyes widened. I couldn't believe Twinkle didn't trust me.
"I didn't do anything."
The piano was indeed a gift from me, but I had only ordered it. I hadn't even touched it when it was delivered.
Amelie cried pitifully, her voice full of sorrow.
"Don't blame her. She probably didn't mean it."
Twinkle was about to say something else, but I spoke first.
"Can either of you tell me why Amelie was playing a piece I composed?"
Emilia's POV
When Twinkle and Amelie heard my question, neither of them said a word.
"It's not the same piece. They only have a similar rhythm, which is normal."
My expression remained calm, giving nothing away. Twinkle looked at me, let go of Amelie, and walked over.
"Emilia, let's go home. You should get some rest, too."
I looked up at him, the corners of my lips curving slightly. "Alright."
When we got to the car, he courteously opened the door for me.
"Emilia, I've already prepared your anniversary gift. I'll try to spend more time with you these days. It's time we had a child, too."
I didn't respond.
This marriage was a mistake from the start, including the idea of a child. It was all part of Twinkle's plan.
When we arrived at the house, I walked ahead. Twinkle's phone rang.
He answered, frowning slightly as he glanced at the screen.
"If you've got something to do, just go."
He looked at me hesitantly. "Emilia, I…"
Twinkle must have remembered what he'd just said in the car, that he'd try to spend more time with me.
"It's fine. I'm a bit tired. I'll get some rest."
Nodding, he turned around and left without looking back at me even once.
I sat on the couch alone. I didn't know how much time had passed when I picked up my phone and saw Amelie's latest post.
"You said no matter when, as long as I looked for you, you'd show up."
The comments underneath were full of envy.
"Your man treats you so well. I'm so jealous."
But what caught my attention was the photo attached to the text.
In the photo, although his face wasn't shown, I saw the familiar cross necklace on his neck.
It was Twinkle.
I called him; Amelie answered.
"What's the matter, my dear sister? Feeling lonely? Twinkle's not going home, so don't wait up. You're so useless. You can't even keep your man. You had your chance, but you blew it."
I hung up immediately and told all the workers to leave.
"Mrs. Oriven, you can't stay here all alone."
I smiled slightly. "It's alright. I'm used to it."
They could only follow my orders. Once they left, I sealed all the windows and doors, walked into the kitchen, and turned on the gas.
Leaning by the window, I looked up at the night sky. The stars were packed tightly together—they didn't look lonely at all.
Midnight passed, and Twinkle still hadn't come back.
I closed my eyes. Every moment from the past three years played through my mind.
His gentleness, his thoughtfulness, his promises…
I remembered every word he said, but they were all lies to keep up the illusion of our marriage.
The fake affection from him all seemed laughable now.
I picked up my phone one more time and made the final call to Twinkle.
It rang for a long time, but no one answered.
I called again and again, but it was still the same.
Letting out a small laugh, I scheduled an automatic upload of the recording and the video of me composing that piece.
After finishing everything, I turned around and looked at the house I had lived in for three years one last time.
Then, I picked up the lighter and ignited it.
