Chapter 2 Laughter burst from the private room . " Everett , Emily's grown bold . She's checking up on you in disguise ! " Under the dim lights , Everett's dark eyes revealed nothing . He said lazily , " I went to Switzerland . Visited my brother . Boom - Emily's ears rang . Her Elliot really was part of the Barnes family . He was still alive . " You got a brother ? Since when ? I thought you were the only heir . " We found him three years ago . Badly injured , still unconscious . My family kept it quiet . 그림 She couldn't hear the rest . Emily took a shot from the table . The liquor burned her throat and made her cry . But she smiled . She didn't have to keep chasing Everett's shadow , trying to see Elliott in him anymore . She downed the last drink . Pain twisted in her stomach like a storm . She stood up , barely steady , and forced out , " I'm done . Heading out . " Everett frowned slightly , about to speak . But just then , Jessica gave a startled gasp , slipped , and fell back . Everett stood up fast and caught her . Everyone cheered . " Congrats , Everett ! You scored tonight ! " Emily ignored them all . She stumbled away and made it back to the house -only then did she finally let herself pass out . 0.00 % 00:35 Chapter 2 11 She didn't know how long had passed . When she woke , her head felt like it was being drilled open . She pushed herself up and saw Everett sitting on a chair in the room . He was looking at his phone . With his sharp , cold features softened by stillness . Then he looked over . A mocking smile in his voice . " What ? Thought I was worried about you ? Waiting for you to wake ? " A chill spread through her chest . Everett walked closer and bent down . A small warning today . If you mess with Jessica again , it won't end like this . " Emily stared into his cold eyes . Frozen . The She'd always known what kind of man Everett was . Still , she'd married him - through a business arrangement . She watched him flirt and obsess over other women . And S This book had been added on your bookshelf . S without complaint . Three years of marriage - she gave , he pushed ; she approached , he pulled away . Every woman in New York mocked her and called her pathetic , a top - tier doormat . Yet , she didn't care . Because his eyes looked just like Elliot's . The man she loved . The one who died . But now , she knew . Elliott was still alive . Everett - the stand - in - didn't matter anymore . With that thought , Emily looked away and said quietly , " Not anymore . " Everett's gaze darkened . He clearly didn't expect her to let go so easily . The air around him dropped a few degrees . " Well , you really are generous . Then you'd better mean it - don't get in the way when I'm picking up women . " With that , he turned and walked out . 24 61 % 00:35 Chapter 2 This time , she didn't run after him in a panic . She stood , opened a drawer , and took out a gray velvet box . Inside was a glittering diamond ring - the one Elliott used to propose when he was 19. The cold metal spread from her fingertips to her chest , dragging her into old memories . 1 She met Elliott at the University of London . He was a campus star - top of the class , student council president . She was a rebellious girl , sent overseas under the excuse of " further education . " . He barged into her life like a storm . He confiscated her game console and stuffed to - do lists in her bag . He took notes for her when she skipped class to go to rock concerts . W wanna She once teased , " If you control me so bad , do you boyfriend or something? " wanna be my He nodded without hesita This book had been added on your bookshelf . end and stick with you till graduation . " He turned essay rules into blues songs to help her study . He rushed to the farmers ' market to prepare a variety of meals for her . They promised - after graduation , they'd go home and meet each other's families . But during a camping trip , there was a landslide . He fell off a cliff saving her . And vanished . Emily closed her eyes , forcing down the wave of pain . Her phone buzzed . A new unknown number message popped up - it was Jessica . She hesitated , then hit to read it . Immediately , a video came through . Everett was shirtless , slouched on a leather chair . A tattoo needle buzzed against his chest , blood and ink mixing , slowly forming the letter " J. " 00:35 S4 98 % Chapter 2 Jessica's voice came from offscreen . " Mr. Barnes , you didn't have to go this far . I was just joking when I said I wanted my name on your heart . " Everett's jaw was tight , his face pale from the pain , but his gaze toward her was soft . " Do you believe I'm serious about you now ? " Jessica sighed . " Then what about Ms. Simpson ? " Everett let out a low laugh , voice careless . " She's just a live - in maid who comes when called . " Something inside Emily flinched . Then she smiled . So , all her years of begging and pleasing - to him , she was just a maid . She closed the video and typed a message to Jessica . " No need to provoke me . If you love Everett , he's all yours . 00:35