Chapter 64
Emily’s POV
I sat at a cozy corner table in Y Restaurant, savoring every bite of my favorite chocolate cake. The sweetness was comforting, and I found myself lost in thought, reminiscing about my recent visit to Frank in prison.
It wasn’t easy seeing him behind bars, knowing that we once shared something that felt so real. But I had made my decision – I wouldn’t take away his right to be a father, but that didn’t mean I would forgive him. We were finished, and there was no going back.
As I stared out the window, absentmindedly nibbling on another forkful of cake, I realized how tired I was of chasing love. The pursuit had only brought me pain and heartbreak. Maybe, for now, it was better to focus on the simpler joys–like this cake. Just as I took another bite, I heard someone snickering.
“Getting fat already, huh?” came a sharp, mocking voice. I looked up to see Rita, one of Keith’s financial advisors, striding past with a smug look
on her face.
She wasn’t alone; a group of her colleagues followed closely, snickering as if they were part of some private joke. Rita had never liked me, today, she was reveling in the moment.
and
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I kept my gaze on the cake in front of me, refusing to engage. But ignoring Rita was like throwing gasoline on an already lit fire.
“Oh, so now you’re too good to even respond?” she taunted, stepping closer. “What’s the matter, Emily? Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too full from stuffing your face with cake?” Her colleagues laughed, feeding off her venomous energy..
I felt the words hit me, but I kept calm. “You know, Rita, I’ve got nothing to say to you,” I replied coolly, cutting another piece of cake as if her words didn’t sting.
Rita’s face twisted with irritation. “Oh, come on! Look at you, acting all high and mighty.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Fat bitch. All that money you flaunt? We all know where it comes from. Sleeping with men, right? Must be nice to have a different man paying your bills.”
Her words felt like a slap, but I wasn’t about to let her see how deeply they cut. I set my fork down, meeting her gaze steadily. “I’m not you, Rita,” I said, my voice sharp and calm. “I don’t have to rely on lies and manipulation to get what I want.
Her eyes flashed with fury at my words, and she took another step toward me, fists clenched like she was ready to strike.
“If you think you can get away with talking to me like that-”
“Go ahead, Rita,” I said, standing up straighter, my voice low but firm.
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“Try it. I’m right here.”
She faltered, her face flushed with anger, but something in my tone must have scared her. Rita had pushed me around before, but I wasn’t the same person anymore, and she could sense it. She hesitated, unsure of herself for the first time.
“Keith will hear about this,” she snarled, pulling out her phone in frustration. “He’s always on my side. You’re going to regret this, Emily.”
I raised an eyebrow, the corner of my mouth lifting in a half–smile. “You really think Keith’s going to jump to defend you this time?”
Her confidence wavered. I could see it in her eyes. But she wasn’t done yet. “Of course he will,” she shot back, her fingers already dialing. “You forget, I’ve been his trusted advisor for years. He always listens to me.
She held the phone up triumphantly, waiting for me to squirm, but before she could press the call button, another voice cut through the tension.
“What’s going on here?”
Both of us turned to see Yve, the owner of the restaurant, walking over with an unreadable expression on her face. Rita straightened up quickly, a fake smile plastered on her lips.
“Yve, thank God you’re here,” Rita began, her voice syrupy sweet. “Emily‘ s causing a scene. You might want to get her out of here before things get out of hand.”
Chapter 64
Yve didn’t even blink as she looked between the two of us. “Is that so?”
she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Because I’ve been watching the cameras, and from what I can tell, you’re the one causing the scene, Rita.”
Rita’s smile faltered as Yve folded her arms across her chest. “In fact, I think it’s time you left,” Yve continued, her tone firm. “And don’t bother coming back. You’re banned from this restaurant.”
“Banned?” Rita sputtered, her face turning a deep shade of red. “You can’t be serious!”
Yve didn’t even blink. “Dead serious. Now leave, or I’ll call security.”
Rita glared at me one last time before storming out of the restaurant, her colleagues trailing behind her, clearly embarrassed. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Thanks, Yve,” I said, genuinely grateful.
She shrugged, brushing it off as if it were nothing. “Don’t mention it. Some people just need to be put in their place.” She offered a small smile before heading back to her duties.
As I watched Rita disappear through the door, I felt a strange sense of relief. The confrontation was over, and for the first time in a long time, I had stood up for myself.
I turned back to my cake, trying to settle my nerves. It wasn’t long before I
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heard someone calling my name. At first, I thought it was just the lingering echo of my conversation with Rita, but then I turned around and saw her–Keith’s mom, Cathe. And right beside her, much to my surprise, was Nicole.
I froze. What were they doing here?
“Emily,” Cathe greeted, her voice smooth and familiar. “It’s been a while. Mind if we join you?”
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