The Marriage Bargain - ENGLOT

Chapter 22: What about me?

Cadence's POV:

I paced back and forth in the living room, anxiously waiting for Emory to arrive. We had already discussed our situation on the phone, but I was still feeling uneasy about leaving her for several months to film a movie in Europe. I knew Emory was worried too, and I wanted to talk to her in person to ease her concerns.

Finally, I heard the sound of the elevator doors opening. I rushed to it before Emory even had a chance to step out.

"Hey," I greeted her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Hey," Emory hugged me back, but her expression was serious. "We really need to talk about this."

I nodded, leading her to the couch in the living room. We sat down, and I took a deep breath. "I know this isn't going to be easy, but I have to take this movie opportunity. It's going to be a huge step for my career."

Emory nodded in agreement, her eyes furrowed. "I know, But I don't know how we're going to make this work. I can't go with you and I can't visit as often as I'd like. Do you realize what I'm trying to say? Are you not worried about us?

"I know," I said softly, taking her hand. "Of course, I worry too, Emory. That's why this decision is so hard for me." I tried to reason with her, but she wasn't having it.

"It doesn't feel like it. You're willing to abandon our life together for a stupid movie." Emory gave me a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. "It's not just a stupid movie, Emory. It's my career. This is a huge opportunity for me."

Emory's eyes grew watery. "What about me? What about our relationship?"

I looked down at my trembling hands and clenched them.  "This is my dream, Emory. Acting is what I love to do. And you knew that from the day we met. I can't just give that up."

Emory stood up, pacing back and forth in the living room. "That's not fair. You're not thinking about how this will affect our relationship."

"I am thinking about it, but this is something that I have to do for myself." I felt my anger rising. "What do you want me to do, Emory? Give up my dream for you? That's not fair." I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself. "I have to do this, Em." I whispered.

Emory stopped her pacing, "Have to?" Her eyebrows furrowed. "You don't have to do anything. You're choosing to leave."

"And you're making me feel guilty for it!" I snapped, standing up to face her.

"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I just don't want to lose you!" She snapped back.

"Why can't you see that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" I shouted, tears threatening to fall down my face.

"This isn't about you Emory!" I glared at her. "I need to take this role. I can't let it slip through my fingers."

"I understand that, Cadence. But I also need you here. I need you with me, not on another continent," Emory said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I could see the sadness in her eyes, but I was too angry to let it sway me. "Why can't you support me in this? You know how hard I've worked for this. Why can't you just be happy for me?"

"It's not that simple, Cadence," Emory said, her eyes filling with tears. "I love you, but I can't pretend that this won't be hard for us. It will strain our relationship, and I can't just brush that under the rug."

My heart's pounding in my chest as I looked at her. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her too, but all I could think about was my own frustration and anger. I was too wrapped up in my own emotions to realize the gravity of what she just said.