Chapter 4%
My mom’s death is the greatest pain of my life.
Olivia, also in tears, supported me with one hand and grabbed my suitcase with the other, leading me away.”
Jacob stood there in stunned silence, no longer stopping us.
In the elevator, all the emotions I had suppressed burst forth. I clung to Olivia, sobbing uncontrollably, just like the night my mom died, overwhelmed with boundless grief and sorrow.
The difference was that this time, I had Olivia by my side.”
She held me, crying too, and kept reassuring me that everything would get better.”
That night, I stayed at Olivia’s place.M
She kept talking to me, chatting about the latest hilarious variety shows, suggesting we watch a movie, or asking if I wanted some barbecue, trying to distract me.
But I was so downcast that I wasn’t interested in anything.”
Helpless, she stayed by my side in silence.}]
During that time, Jacob called me multiple times, but I didn’t answer any of his calls.
The phone was too noisy, so I turned it off.
The next day, Olivia called her boss, Jackson Bennett, to request a week off.”
I urged her to go to work.
She firmly refused, “How can I leave you alone in this state? Besides, Mr. Bennett is a good man. He’s always been considerate towards you. He knows your situation and generously gave us a month off. He insisted I take care of you and assured me not to worry about my salary; it will be paid during the leave.“}
I knew she wasn’t going to work because she wanted to keep an eye on me. She was afraid I’d overthink things or do something foolish if left alone.
But I wouldn’t be that foolish.
When my morn found out she had a brain hemorrhage, she told me, “Emily, if I ever pass away, you must be strong and live well.“@
At the time, I comforted her, telling her not to think like that and that she would get better.}
She smiled, “Silly child, no one lives forever. As long as you and Jacob are happy, I’ll have no regrets.”
My parents divorced when I was five.
It was my mom who raised me.}
So she always felt she owed me.§
Even when she had a sudden brain hemorrhage and was not fully conscious, she instinctively grabbed my hand and tried her best to make her words clear. “Emily, you, you have to be good, be good…”
She was worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle her passing.
Every time I thought about these things, I felt incredibly sad.} But no matter how sad I was, I would never take my own life.>
With Jackson’s approval for a month’s leave, Olivia was thrilled and immediately started planning a trip, asking for my input.
I couldn’t resist her enthusiasm and suggested a few places.
And just like that, we packed our things and set off.”
Olivia dragged me around to see sights, eat local delicacies, and even made strangers take our photos, insisting that I strike funny poses.
I knew she was trying to cheer me up and help me move past the pain of losing my mom and breaking up with Jacob.
Understanding her good intentions, I tried to adjust my mood and cooperate with her.
Soon, the month was over.”
I had recovered my spirits and returned to work with Olivia.”
But on the first day back, my colleagues swarmed me with chatter.
In summary, Jacob had come by ten times over the past month, looking for me.
Unable to find me, he even had a heated argument with Jackson, demanding to know why Jackson was hiding me and refusing to tell him my whereabouts.
Jackson had firmly replied, “Emily is my employee, and I won’t allow anyone to harass her!“N
Jackson’s stance earned unanimous praise from my colleagues.
But Jacob was furious, threatening to make Jackson pay.
However, Jackson remained unfazed.
My colleagues relayed this with great excitement, but I listened with growing anxiety.
The Phillips Group had considerable power. If Jacob truly retaliated against Jackson, the consequences could be dire.
As Olivia had said, Jackson was a good person. He had generously granted us a month off, and I couldn’t drag him into this mess.
So, I sought out Jackson and apologized, “Mr. Bennett, I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”
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“Did they tell you everything?”
I nodded.
Jackson smiled, “Don’t worry about it. Jacob’s threats are just talk. He won’t actually do anything.“}
“No. Mr. Bennett, I know him well. He’ll definitely try to get back at you.”
“The Phillips Group does have power, but I’m not someone who sits idly by. If it comes down to a showdown, who knows what will happen.”
