The Marriage Bargain - ENGLOT

Chapter 24: I'm back

Cadence's POV:

I stood in the bustling crowd at the airport, my suitcase heavy at my feet. It had been three long years since I'd last seen her, but I still loved her just as much as the day we admitted our feelings to wach other. I'd left to follow my dreams, to find myself, but what I'd really found was that my heart had been left behind with Emory.

A loud announcement echoed through the airport, breaking my thoughts. I looked up to see that my flight had been called. I took a deep breath and picked up my suitcase, steeling myself for what was to come.

As I held my boarding pass in my hand, I made a resolve within myself. I'm gonna win her back. I know it wouldn't be easy. So much time had passed, and we had both changed in different ways. But I was willing to try.

Stepping onto the plane, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I didn't know what awaited me when I landed, but I had to try. I had to give it one last shot, or else I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life.

As the plane took off, I closed my eyes and prayed for the strength to face whatever lay ahead. I was heading towards a new chapter in my life, one where I had to fight for what I wanted, fight for the woman I loved. And no matter what obstacles lay ahead, I was ready to face them head-on.

...

I reached for my phone as soon as the plane landed, eager to text Nevaeh that I had arrived safely. She was supposed to pick me up from the airport, and I was excited to see her after so long. I scanned the crowd at the airport, looking for her familiar face, but I couldn't seem to spot her anywhere.

I texted her again, asking where she was, but still no response. I was about to panic but I forced myself to take deep breaths and avoid unwanted attention. As I stood there, feeling a bit lost and alone, I noticed someone out of the corner of my eye. It was Emory. I felt my heart race and my palms begin to sweat.

I had no idea why she was here. We had agreed to meet up later that week to sign the divorce papers. Actually she wanted me to sign the papers tonight but I didn't want to so...Seeing her now threw me off balance.

"Emory? Hey," I said, approaching her hesitantly.

"Hi," she said. "I'm here to pick you up."

I couldn't help but feel confused. "But I texted Nevaeh to pick me up," I said.

"I know," she said, "but she has a seminar to attend so she asked that I pick you up instead."

I didn't know what to say. Why would she agree if she seems to hate me?

"Okay," I said simply.

We made our way to her car in awkward silence. I couldn't help but notice how cold and distant she seemed as we walked. She didn't bother to ask me how my flight was or how I was doing. It was as if I didn't even exist to her.

As we got into the car, the tension between us was palpable. Emory was driving without saying a word, and I just sat there, feeling awkward and unsure of what to do.

"It's good to see you," I finally said, trying to ease the tension.

Emory laughed bitterly. "Is it? Because it sure doesn't feel like it."

I sighed. I couldn't blame her for being angry. I had left for Europe without telling her, and I knew I had hurt her deeply.

More silence. I fidgeted with my seatbelt nervously, wishing I could just disappear.

"Why did you agree to pick me up?" I asked finally, unable to bear the awkwardness any longer.

"I didn't want you to have to take a cab or public transportation," she said shortly. "It's the least I could do."