Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 13

After getting her nails done, they headed for a spa session. Once she'd dropped Joyce off, Emilia walked into a nearby salon.

The stylist eyed her waist-length hair with a wistful sigh. "You really want to cut it all off? It's rare to see hair this long."

Her hair was thick, dark, and perfectly straight—clearly the result of careful upkeep. It was the kind of hair people envied.

Emilia gazed at her reflection: gleaming black hair, porcelain skin, a soft yellow dress that skimmed her figure. She wore no makeup, yet her beauty was almost startling—like a lily in full bloom. Pure, graceful, utterly unthreatening.

She smiled calmly. "Go ahead. Cut it."

Long hair to her waist—Tyler loved it that way. But Emilia? She never did.

The stylist responded with an "Alright, then," and set to work. As the scissors snipped, dark strands fell to the floor, pooling like the old shackles she'd carried for years.

When it was done, Emilia studied her new self in the mirror and smiled, just a little.

"You really suit this style! Gorgeous, honestly!" the stylist exclaimed. "If you want, I can do a little color or some waves—what do you think? Here, let me show you—"

Emilia glanced at the brochure, then touched her stomach. "Maybe next time. It's getting late," she said.

The stylist looked a bit disappointed, but Emilia smiled reassuringly. "I'll come find you when I'm ready."

The stylist perked up immediately. "Deal! Oh, let me check my calendar—when do you think you'll come in?"

Emilia hesitated, looking down at her stomach. "Maybe in a week," she replied softly. "Two weeks at most."

If she needed time to recover after the procedure…

"Alright—don't forget!" the stylist called after her as Emilia left.

Emilia nodded with a smile.

With her new haircut, she stepped out and strolled into the heart of Alden City, slipping into the district's luxury mall. Designer boutiques lined the halls, each window gleaming with promise.

She glanced down at her sweet, demure outfit and let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.

Sweet and demure—Tyler's preference, because it meant she was compliant. But that wasn't Emilia.

She wandered through the stores, emerging with a handful of shopping bags.

She hailed a cab and headed home.

Back at her apartment, Emilia paused in the entryway, arms full of glossy bags. The new place, new neighborhood, the start of a solitary life—all of it left her face expressionless.

She stripped off the gentle, girlish dress and slipped into a sharp Valentino ensemble with bold lines and a hint of attitude. She tossed her canvas tote aside and picked up a classic Chanel chain bag. Off came the wedge heels, replaced by a pair of pointed Dior pumps.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Her lips parted. "Emilia, happy rebirth."

But the woman in the mirror didn't smile.

She tried to, lifting the corners of her mouth, but it felt so false even she couldn't believe it.

Seven years.

Pretending she wasn't hurt was a lie.

"Emy, can you come by the office now?" Christian's voice sounded tense.

Emilia picked up on it immediately. He almost never called her "Emy" in private.

"Is something wrong?" she pressed.

She'd already booked her doctor's appointment—unless it was urgent, she preferred not to change plans.

"Someone wants to buy your latest song." Christian hesitated. "I'd like you to come in and discuss it."

Emilia frowned. That was odd.

"You can handle it yourself," she replied. In the past, she'd always let Donovan Entertainment take care of these things. There was no reason for Christian, the company's CEO, to call her personally about a song sale.

"The buyer is… unusual," he said at last.

After a pause, he added, "Vivienne wants to purchase your song."

What?

Emilia was stunned. Wasn't Vivienne a florist? Why would she want to buy a song?

Before she could ask, Christian continued, "It's a bit complicated."

"I already turned her down, but she came to the office anyway. And she's not alone…"

Christian hesitated, then finished, "Tyler's with her. And they're not taking no for an answer."