The Wife He Tried To Erase Chapter 05
Nicholas smiled in satisfaction and pushed the ring closer again. “That’s better. Put it on, Mrs. Gallagher.”
Emilia stared at the ring, then slowly picked it up and slid it back onto her finger.
The cold metal felt like a shackle.
“Where’s the studio?”
“In the basement.” Nicholas leaned back into his chair and picked up a document. “Everything’s prepared. You’ll eat and sleep down there for the next two weeks. If you can’t finish the paintings, don’t even think about seeing your mother.”
He looked up and smiled faintly. “Oh, and Tina will go down every day to guide you. Work well together, Emmy.”
Emilia’s hand, clenched at her side, slowly lifted.
She didn’t lash out hysterically like she usually did, and she didn’t run out in tears.
She raised her hand and lightly wiped the rain from her face with the back of it.
The sense of confrontation faded.
Emilia lowered her head, like a cat finally tamed, her voice softer than ever. “But you have to keep your word. Don’t stop my mother’s medication.”
A flash of satisfaction crossed Nicholas’ eyes.
He knew that her weakness would always be in his hands. She could never escape.
“Of course.” He leaned back lazily. “As long as you behave.”
She drew a slow breath, as if steadying herself.
Instead of heading straight to the basement, she walked around the desk and stopped beside him.
“Nicky.”
She said his name, her tone unusually gentle.
He raised a brow, slightly surprised. “What is it?”
Emilia bit her lower lip, her eyes still red. “I’ll be locked in the basement for two weeks. I’m afraid you’ll change your mind, and the hospital will stop her medication because of your call tonight.”
She pulled a neatly folded document from her soaked bag. The edges were wrinkled from rain.
“This is a consent form the hospital gave me last week. I was supposed to get it signed today…”
She spread it on the desk, casually pressing down the top half with her hand, leaving only the blank signature line visible at the bottom right. “Sign this first, okay? Once you sign, I’ll feel at ease and focus on painting.”
Nicholas glanced at the paper.
It was slightly damp. The dense text and hospital formatting looked convincing enough.
To him, it seemed like Emilia was just desperate for reassurance.
“Now you’re negotiating?” he said, though his tone carried no anger. There was even a hint of indulgence.
He picked up the pen without lifting her hand to check the rest. Then, he signed his name directly where she indicated.
Emilia followed the motion, her heartbeat quickening.
This wasn’t a hospital consent form at all.
It was the divorce agreement she had carried for three months—the one she had taken out countless times but never dared to use.
And what he just signed was an unconditional agreement to dissolve the marriage.
“All set.” Nicholas set the pen down and took her hand, pulling her lightly into his arms.
Emilia stiffened, but didn’t resist. She obediently leaned against him.
He seemed pleased with her docility.
He reached up and stroked her damp hair. “That’s more like it, Emmy. Stop fighting me. You know I don’t like that.”
He lowered his head and kissed her cold forehead. “After this exhibition, Tina will be overseas for a while. I’ll take you to Switzerland to recover. We’ll visit your mother too. If you behave, I’ll transfer that villa you used to like into your name. Deal?”
She lowered her eyes. Her lashes hid the cold surging beneath.
Quietly, she slipped the signed document back and folded it carefully.
Then, she looked up and gave him a faint smile.
“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll behave.”
These two weeks would be the final line she’d draw under their marriage.
He patted her back. “Go on. I’ll have the staff make you some hot chocolate. Don’t get sick. It’ll delay Tina’s paintings.”
Emilia straightened and walked out of the study without looking back.
The moment the door closed, she pressed the paper in her pocket through the fabric, her knuckles turning white.