Chapter 512 Celebration
Emma stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling window of the Michelin-starred restaurant, her slender figure reflected in the glass.
Outside, cars sped by, their engines' roars muted by the soundproof glass but still sending a dull vibration through the air.
Her delicate fingers clutched the divorce decree tightly, the edges of the paper crumpled from her unconscious grip.
Michael stood half a step away from her, his phone suddenly ringing with a jarring tone.
"Emma, there's an urgent matter at the office I need to handle right now." Michael hung up the phone, his brow furrowed deeply. "There's an issue with the international deal; the other party changed the terms last minute. I have to go in person."
Emma's eyelashes fluttered as she forced a smile, the corners of her mouth lifting like a string being pulled taut. "It's okay, go ahead."
Her voice was as light as a feather, but it couldn't hide the weight of her sadness.
Michael hesitated for a moment, his long fingers gently holding her cold hand, the warmth from his palm making Emma start slightly. "I can't stay with you today. Once this is sorted, I'll come find you right away."
His gaze lingered on her pale face for a few seconds, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he just tightened his grip on her hand.
"It's really okay, I can go see Mia. She's been pretty free lately."
Emma smiled, urging Michael to leave.
Watching Michael's hurried figure disappear into the crowd, Emma suddenly felt the large private room become empty.
She slowly took out her phone, her fingers hovering over the contacts list for a long time before stopping at a familiar number.
Taking a deep breath, she dialed Mia's number.
"Hello? Emma?" Mia's voice was filled with undisguised joy, the sound of high heels clicking rapidly in the background. "Oh my God, you finally called me! I've been so worried about you!"
Hearing her friend's familiar voice, Emma's eyes suddenly welled up, her vision blurring. "Mia, I'm divorced."
As soon as she said it, she felt her heart being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a full three seconds, followed by an ear-splitting cheer. "That's fantastic! We have to celebrate tonight!"
Mia's voice was high-pitched with excitement. "Where are you? I'll come get you right now! I'll be there in half an hour—no, twenty minutes!"
Half an hour later, Mia's bright red Porsche 911 screeched to a halt in front of the hotel.
She practically jumped out of the car, her stiletto heels clicking crisply on the marble floor, and pulled Emma into a tight hug, squeezing her so hard it was almost hard to breathe.
"Congratulations on your freedom!" Mia's voice was full of genuine joy as she gently touched Emma's gaunt face.
"Look at you, you've gotten so thin. Tonight, we're not stopping until we're drunk! We're going to drink away all the years of your suffering!"
The neon lights of Midnight Bar in the city's busiest district flickered, the heavy metal music making the floor vibrate slightly.
Mia led Emma straight to the VIP section, where a waiter respectfully pulled back the velvet curtain for them.
Mia boldly ordered a whole row of custom cocktails, the colorful liquids refracting a dreamy glow in the crystal glasses.
"First drink, to new beginnings!" Mia raised her glass filled with amber liquid high, the ice clinking softly.
"From today on, you live for yourself! No more putting up with anyone's crap!" Her eyes sparkled under the lights, like they were filled with stars.
Emma took a cautious sip, the sharpness of the alcohol making her wince, her throat feeling like it was on fire.
Mia, however, downed her drink in one go, her Adam's apple bobbing with the motion, and immediately refilled both their glasses.
"Second drink, to that jerk finally letting you go!" Mia's voice rose with excitement, drawing glances from nearby tables. "George is a total bastard, he never deserved you! He wasn't even fit to tie your shoes!"
At the mention of George's name, Emma's fingers trembled, the ice in her glass clinking softly.
Mia noticed immediately, setting her glass down and gripping Emma's cold hands tightly.
"Emma, listen to me," Mia's tone turned serious, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue from the alcohol, but her eyes were sharp and clear.
"I've known you for years, and I've never seen you worse off than these past few years. George brought you nothing but pain, tears, and self-doubt."
Emma stared down at her glass, silent tears falling onto the ice.
"Promise me," Mia's gaze was intense, "stay away from George, stay away from unhappiness. You deserve a better life, a better love."
As they continued to drink, Mia became increasingly tipsy, yet she insisted on pouring more for Emma.
"Drink! Tonight is all about having fun!" she slurred. "I'm so happy you're finally free."
By the time Emma was helping a thoroughly drunk Mia out of the bar, it was late at night.
The cool breeze cleared her head a bit as she looked at her friend's sleeping face, a warm feeling rising in her heart.
In this world, at least one person genuinely wished for her happiness.
"Thank you, Mia," Emma whispered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Mia's ear. "I'll try my best to live well."
At two in the morning, as Emma struggled to support the inebriated Mia out of the bar, a tall figure approached quickly.
"Let me help." The man's deep voice was clear in the night. He gently but firmly took Mia from Emma's arms, adjusting her position so she could lean on his shoulder.
Emma then recognized him as Mia's husband. They had only met once at Sunterra, and now he was here in casual clothes, his hair slightly messy, clearly having rushed over.
"Sorry to trouble you so late..." Emma said, a bit flustered as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
The man smiled warmly. "No trouble at all, Mia sent me her location."
He looked down at the unconscious Mia in his arms, his eyes full of affection. "She hasn't been this happy in a long time."
In the elevator, he carefully adjusted Mia's disheveled collar and draped his jacket over her shoulders.
Emma stood in the corner, silently watching the couple's interaction. Every move he made seemed so natural, as if taking care of Mia was the most important thing in his life.
"I heard you got divorced?" he suddenly spoke, his voice soft, as if not to disturb the sleeping Mia.
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