Sarah's POV
That weekend, I returned to my old apartment to pack for the move to my new home with Daniel.
To my surprise, everything was exactly as I'd left it, even the potted plants on the balcony were still alive.

I packed the essentials for the moving company to take, leaving only the cabinet full of designer heels.
With a sigh, I sold them all to a secondhand dealer.
As I watched the truck drive away, I was about to leave when I heard someone call my name.
“Sarah?"
I turned to see James standing there unexpectedly.
His eyes lit up with joy when he saw me.

"Sarah! It really is you! You're alive!"
I frowned as I studied him.
The once-powerful man looked completely worn down.
He'd lost weight, and his usually immaculate suit was wrinkled, as if it hadn't been pressed in days.

He rushed forward and pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice full of relief.
"I knew it, I knew you weren't dead...
"Where have you been? Why didn't you come find me? Do you know how worried I've been?"
I pushed him away forcefully. "James, what are you doing?"
"Worried about me? Don't joke. Go worry about your precious Emma."
His face darkened. “I admit, it was my mistake not helping you that day.
"But those men were hired by you, weren't they? To test how important you were to me.
"Well, congratulations. I've realized you're more important than Emma.
"These past few days without you, I couldn't eat or sleep. Work's piled up with no one to handle it..."
I cut him off in disbelief. "James, what are you talking about?"
"I already told you, those men had nothing to do with me.
"I have nothing to do with you anymore. I don't care how you're doing."
I turned to leave quickly, but James grabbed my hand tightly. "Where are you going? Sarah, I've kept this apartment for you, you can stay here..."
He opened the door to find an empty apartment.
I laughed coldly. "No need. I have my own place now. I don't need Mr. Carter's charity."
"Then... what about those heels?" He seemed desperate to prove something. "Did you take them with you?"
"No," I cut him off ruthlessly. "Just before you arrived, I sold them all for scrap."
His face froze, then managed a strained smile. "That's fine, they were old anyway. I'll buy you new gifts."
I frowned, completely puzzled.
"James, what game are you playing? I told you we're done. What do you want?"
His eyes turned almost pleading. "Sarah, don't go. Isn't staying with me better?"
I laughed mockingly. "Stay with you? To be your secret lover for another eight years?
"James, you're incredibly selfish."
"No, no!" He suddenly grew agitated. "Not as a secret lover. Sarah, I was too blind before. I didn't realize my feelings for you.
"After you left, I finally understood that you're the most important person to me."
"What about Emma?" I countered.
He hesitated for a few seconds, then said, "Emma... I used to like her, but I don't feel anything for her anymore.
"You're the one I want now, Sarah. Come back."
"Impossible." I rejected him without hesitation. "James, I don't have feelings for you anymore."
"How can that be? You used to..."
"That was then." I cut him off. "Just like how you don't love Emma anymore, I don't love you anymore."
"No, impossible!"
Something snapped in him. James suddenly grabbed me, trying desperately to kiss me.
"You're just angry with me, right? That must be it!"
"Let go! James, you've lost your mind!"
I struggled violently, slapping him hard across the face. "James, get a grip!"
A dangerous look flashed in his eyes, and as he reached for me again, someone stepped between us.
"Mr. Carter, control yourself!"
I looked up in surprise to see Daniel standing firmly between us.
"Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you coming alone."
My usually gentle husband's expression was ice-cold. "Mr. Carter, if you continue harassing my wife, don’t blame me for taking action.”
James's eyes blazed with anger. "Your wife? Who do you think you are?"
"I'm Daniel Williams, of the Williams family."
James froze, his face darkening further. "The Williams family?"
I suddenly remembered that the Williams and Carter corporations were longtime business rivals.
Daniel guided me out of the apartment as security guards appeared, keeping James at bay.
"Leave," I told James. "I'm married now. Please stay out of my life."
"Never!" James shouted furiously behind me. "Sarah, just wait! I'll make you come back to me!"
I didn't look back, getting into Daniel's car and driving away.