Chapter 2
After mailing out the packages, Emma tossed everything she had just organized straight into the trash.
The jewelry and designer bags gifted by Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo, the old videos and photos from their time together, even the custom suits she had designed for them with care…
All of it every memory tied to them–was now part of the past, discarded without hesitation.
In this life, Emma was not going to repeat her old mistakes.
She poured all her focus into preparing for the wedding, tuning out the world outside her own This book had been added on your bookshelf.
After a few hectic days of picking out her dress and accessories, she finally came home–only to find Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo all fussing over Janet.
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One was adjusting the AC temperature, another gently fanning a bowl of soup to cool it down, and the third was draping a blanket over her, asking how she was feeling with sincere concern.
Watching Janet being doted on like royalty, Emma could not help but smile bitterly to herself.
The affection was so obvious now, how had she missed it before?
The ache in her chest tightened, leaving her feeling drained and a little hollow.
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Right then, Janet noticed her standing at the door. Startled like a timid bird, Janet quickly got to her feet, her expression filled with fear and deference.
“Emma, you’re back! I’ll go heat up some water and get dinner started. Please give me a moment.”
She started to rise, but Isaac gently held her down.
“Janet’s still recovering. There are plenty of other staff around. Emma, just ask someone else to handle it.”
Anthony and Mateo chimed in as well. “She’s still pretty injured. Emma, just let her rest.”
“If you’re really short on help, we can always transfer more staff. There’s no need for Janet to be doing chores in her condition.”
Since the moment she walked in, Emma had said nothing–yet she was being lectured like she’d done something wrong.
She let out a quiet breath and narrowed her eyes slightly. “I know she’s the daughter of our butler, not our maid. And I’ve never forced her to do anything. But since you all care about her so much, maybe you should just take her home and look after her yourselves. That way, you don’t have to worry so much.”
Janet’s eyes widened in shock and she immediately dropped to her knees.
“Emma, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have slacked off just because I’m sick. Please don’t drive me and my dad away. I’ll get up right now and get to work.”
Her knee hit the ground hard and they bruised instantly. Her tears streamed down her face like rain, looking like she had been deeply
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wronged.
The moment her tears started falling, Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo’s expressions darkened.
The three of them rushed to help Janet up, shielding her behind them as they all turned to Emma, their voices tinged with frustration.
“Janet didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you trying to kick her out for no reason? Do you really have to bully her like this?”
“She’s still hurt and was trying to heat your water and make you dinner. Not only do you not care about her condition, but you’re also forcing her to leave. Do you have no heart at all?”
“She’s hurt even worse now. If anything happens to her later because of this, are you just going to pretend it’s nothing? Will you only be satisfied if she completely breaks down?”
Watching them so naturally jump to defend Janet, Emma’s expression turned colder by the second.
“I didn’t do anything except suggest that you take her home if you’re that worried. That’s considered bullying now? In your eyes, am I really that unreasonable and difficult? So no matter what happens, she’s the victim and I’m the one to blame?”
Her words brought silence crashing down on the room.
Seeing their frozen expressions, Emma felt a wave of helplessness wash over her.
She did not want to say anything more. Without another word, she turned and walked back to her bedroom.
Just as she had finally calmed down, there was a knock at the door.
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Janet came in timidly, holding a cup of coffee. “I’m sorry, Emma. Please don’t be angry at them. They only spoke like that because they were too worried about me. It’s my fault you ended up fighting. If you need someone to blame, blame me.”
Having lived through this once already, Emma knew exactly what
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Janet was trying to do. She would put on a pitiful act and stir the pot.
“Leave the coffee and get out.”
Emma’s voice was cold and detached. Hearing that, Janet looked even more wronged, but she did not dare push back.
Then, she pretended to fumble and spilled the entire cup of coffee.
The hot liquid splashed onto Emma, scalding her skin until it turned red and blistered.
Emma let out a hiss of pain and instinctively shoved Janet’s helping hand away.
Janet took the chance to stumble backward dramatically, slamming her head against the edge of the table. A bloody gash instantly opened on her forehead.
Her sharp cries filled the entire villa.
Before Emma could even react, Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo burst through the door.
Seeing Janet unconscious on the floor with blood running down her head, the three of them instantly panicked.
Anthony shoved past Emma without hesitation. Isaac rushed forward and scooped Janet into his arms, while Mateo pressed down on the wound to stop the bleeding.
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They hurried off, completely focused on protecting Janet. No one even noticed Emma had stumbled into the glass display case.
Shards flew everywhere as the glass shattered, slicing into her skin and leaving her covered in cuts.
Blood soaked through her clothes. Her face twisted in pain, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.
Watching their figures disappear down the hall, Emma could not hold back her tears any longer.
Her heart ached so much it felt like she could not breathe. She bit down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing out loud.
Only one final thought echoed in her mind: She had to walk away from their world for good. Never again would she let herself be part of it.
