The Wife He Tried To Erase Chapter 02
At the center of the ballroom, Valentina stood in a custom white gown, like a proud swan surrounded by admirers.
When she saw Nicholas and Emilia, she lifted her skirt and hurried over, her face bright with an innocent smile.
“Nicky! Oh, Emmy, you came too!”
She wrapped herself around Nicholas’ other arm, completely ignoring Emilia.
“Emmy, I heard you just finished treatment. Is your head clear now? Don’t go crazy at my exhibition.”
Nicholas frowned, not because Valentina was rude, but because he was worried. “Slow down. Your heart isn’t great. Don’t push yourself.”
Emilia’s hand froze in midair. Her fingers curled slightly.
“Emmy, what perfect timing. Everyone’s here.”
Valentina smiled sweetly at her.
“My new piece needs someone to unveil it. Nicky said your skills may be rusty, but your taste is still there. Why don’t you do the honors? Think of it as… passing the torch.”
All around them, people watched with barely concealed anticipation.
Everyone knew Valentina had risen by stepping over Emilia.
Emilia looked at Nicholas.
She thought he would at least refuse.
After all, he once treasured her talent more than anything.
But he only glanced at her and said in a tone that allowed no argument, “Go. Tina’s always admired you. Don’t ruin the mood. It’ll also show everyone you’re better now. You’re not some jealous, hysterical woman anymore.”
As Emilia’s fingers touched the pull cord, a violent nerve spasm shot from her fingertips straight to her heart.
It was the lingering aftereffect from the 100th shock.
Her grip loosened. The cord slipped from her palm.
“You can’t even handle something this simple?” Nicholas kept a polite smile on his face, but his hand reached around from behind and covered hers.
His thumb pressed precisely on the unhealed IV puncture on the back of her hand.
Emilia gasped. Cold sweat instantly soaked her back.
Nicholas didn’t let go. Instead, he pressed harder, grinding against the bruised, swollen puncture.
He said, “Emmy, don’t pretend to be weak at Tina’s event. Pull it.”
The pain was blinding. Forced by it, she trembled and pulled the curtain down with him.
The painting was revealed.
Gasps filled the room. Only Emilia’s eyes were completely lifeless.
Even the reflected tones of snow under the aurora were identical to her stolen manuscript.
She painted that original draft during their trip to Northern Europe, frostbite numbing three of her fingers.
“Nicky…” Valentina pressed a hand to her chest, eyes reddening. “Is this painting too idealized? I keep thinking I could never match the aurora colors the way Sammy did. Will she think I’m… showing off in front of her?”
She looked timidly at Emilia, but her eyes stayed locked on the bleeding puncture on Emilia’s hand.
“Of course not.” Nicholas’ arm tightened suddenly around Emilia’s waist. “Emmy’s recovered. She’s clear-headed now. She knows what’s real and what’s a delusion. Right, Emmy?”
As he spoke, he calmly wiped the beads of blood he’d pressed out of her hand with a handkerchief.
Emilia’s head rang, and her stomach churned violently. It was a post-shock nausea response.
She bit her tongue hard until her mouth filled with the taste of blood, forcing the nausea down.
She couldn’t throw up.
“Yes…” Every word scraped her throat raw. “Ms. Hughes’ painting… surpasses mine.”
“Emmy, I knew you loved me the most!” Valentina rushed forward for a hug, but just as she reached Emilia, she sprained her ankle.
She fell toward Nicholas, and the red wine in her hand splashed straight across Emilia.
Cold liquid drenched Emilia’s face. Purple-red wine ran into her eyes, burning sharply.
“My chest…” Valentina collapsed into his arms, face pale, clutching his collar. “Nicky, my palpitations are acting up… I feel awful…”
Nicholas’ hand, which had been supporting Emilia, dropped away instantly without hesitation.
Already weak, she lost her balance and crashed backward into the champagne tower.
Glass exploded everywhere. Sharp shards drove deep into her calf and palm. Blood soaked into the white carpet.
The pain was excruciating.
It wasn’t just the cuts. The nerves damaged by electric shocks convulsed under the impact, triggering full-body spasms.
Emilia curled on the floor, trembling so violently she couldn’t even groan.
People gasped, but no one stepped forward.
Nicholas didn’t even glance at her. He lifted Valentina in his arms, panic finally showing on his face. “Call an ambulance! Get the car ready! Tina’s heart can’t handle this!”
As he passed Emilia, he paused momentarily.
He looked down at her convulsing among shattered glass, frowning.
“Emilia, are you done with the act? You broke all this. Stay and clean it up. Don’t come back until everything’s taken care of.”
With that, he carried Valentina away, leaving Emilia staring at his retreating back.
Emilia lay on the ground, her palm pressed into broken glass. Blood mixed with red wine as it flowed.
She watched that retreating figure and, through the pain, pulled her lips into a faint smile.
The hundred treatments worked.
They cured her blindness and her soft heart.