Emily shook her head, leaning against the tree trunk as she straightened herself slowly, avoiding his touch. "I'm fine. I just need to rest for a bit. ...Where's Nathan?"

"Don't worry. He's gone."

Emily visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."

Jackson blinked, observing her expression closely. "Are you afraid of him?"

Emily frowned, a look of disgust crossing her face. "I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid of being involved with him again. If I could, I never want to see him again in my life."

Jackson shrugged. "Although I don't know what happened between you two, it's clear that your marriage wasn't pleasant."

"It was terrible," Emily forced...