Chapter 6
After waking up, Emma felt a little lightheaded, like she had a fever.
Somehow, Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo caught wind of it and rushed over right away.
She had been sick for three days. They visited daily and practically camped out at her house, but they barely spent any time with her.
Most of the time, they were downstairs with Janet–teaching her chess, playing piano duets, trimming flowers in the garden, taking photos for her, sketching her…
Emma saw it all but did not say anything.
Every now and then, they would come upstairs to check on her, only to notice things missing from her room.
“Emma, where’s that doll I gave you years ago?”
“You used to love that jeweled crown I got you and you always put it front and center. Why is it gone now?”
“And what about the photo we took when we turned 18? Where did that go?”
Emma just gave them a few vague excuses, brushing off their questions.
Though puzzled, they did not press further.
By the time her birthday arrived, she was almost fully recovered.
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Right before the party, Brent and Cassandra came to pick her up, offering a few words of advice.
“Most of the key people in the circle will be at your party today. The Thompson, Vegara, and Vanderpool families will definitely show up. Your dad and I talked it over, and we think this is the perfect occasion to announce your engagement. What do you think?”
Emma was just about to nod when the sound of shattering glass made her freeze.
She turned and saw Janet standing behind them, face pale as a sheet.
“Emma, are you getting married?” Janet asked softly.
Emma gave a slight nod, not bothering to explain–everyone would find out soon enough anyway.
The birthday banquet kicked off right on time at 7 p.m. and the hall was packed and buzzing with excitement.
The moment Isaac, Anthony, and Mateo walked in, dressed to the nines in suits, they instantly became the center of attention.
“I’m so jealous of Ms. Dalton. Three ridiculously good–looking
childhood sweethearts? She even gets to pick one to marry. What kind of luck is that?”
“Jealousy won’t get you far. It’s a childhood betrothal, so no matter who she picks, it’ll be a perfect match!”
“She’s old enough now, right? Do you think she’ll announce the engagement tonight? I’m dying to know who it’ll be!”
Emma heard the whispers around her but stayed composed, her expression unreadable.
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The three men, however, looked visibly rattled. They quickly
surrounded her.
“Emma, you’re announcing your marriage tonight? Why didn’t you give us a heads–up?”
“That’s my personal business. It doesn’t concern you. Why would I tell you?”
Her voice was calm, but there was a cold edge to it.
“You’re really going to say it has nothing to do with us?” Isaac pressed. “Don’t tell me you’re marrying someone else. Come on, cut the suspense. Just tell us who it is already!”
Right then, Brent and Cassandra stepped onto the stage. They smiled and gave a nod to the crowd before picking up the mic.
“On behalf of the Dalton family, thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our daughter’s birthday. Besides the birthday celebration, we also have some exciting news to share. It is about Emma’s
engagement.”
The room instantly erupted. Applause and cheers echoed through the hall.
The most excited guests? The elders from the Thompson, Vegara, and Vanderpool families. They all stood up at once, beaming and waving over Mateo, Anthony, and Isaac.
Seeing that, the three men felt their hearts pounding and their expressions soured.
However, since they were still at a formal event, they had no choice but to fake smiles and head back to their families.
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Brent and Cassandra gave Emma a subtle glance. She got the message and gracefully walked toward them, lifting the hem of her dress.
Just as she reached the stage, a sudden crackle of static burst from the speakers behind her.
Everyone, including Emma, turned their heads. And there it was-
Janet’s tear–streaked face, projected onto the big screen, crying so hard her voice had gone hoarse.
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