Chapter 29
Emily dunked her head underwater, holding her breath before coming back up. She thought. 'Emily, get it together! You and Patrick were just a contract. It's done now!'
She leaned her head back, trying to keep the tears from mixing with the bathwater.
Deep down, she knew starting off with compromises might've been a bad move.
After her bath, Emily rushed back to her room and flopped onto the soft bed, quickly drifting into a deep sleep, wrapped up in the sheets and pillows.
Melissa tiptoed into the room, seeing Emily already asleep. She gently covered her with a blanket and was about to leave when Emily's phone rang loudly.
Seeing Emily frown even in her sleep, Melissa quickly grabbed the noisy phone and stuffed it into her hoodie, sneaking it under the couch cushion in the living room.
On the other end, Patrick was waiting anxiously, anger and confusion battling within him. Emily's name cut through his heart like a knife.
All he wanted was to see her immediately, to confront her and ask if she had really gone to such lengths to leave him, even sleeping with that scumbag Andrew.
Disturbing images flooded his mind. Patrick tried to stop thinking
the worst but couldn't help wanting to fly to Emily and find out what she had done behind his back. As time passed, his anxiety and unease grew stronger.
He searched from her apartment to her house, circling around but never finding a trace of Emily. "Where else could she be?" Patrick pondered. memories of their time together flashing before him. Those quiet moments now seemed like fragile dreams. easily shattered.
Suddenly, a thought struck him-Marlon's villa. The place that had once filled him with jealousy and unease was now his only lead.
Driven by impulse. Patrick changed direction and headed straight for the villa. hoping to find Emily but dreading what he might see. His emotions were a whirlwind. and he kept telling himself to stay calm.but the anxiety and frustration were overwhelming.
A truck's headlights flashed. snapping Patrick back to reality.He swerved sharply, the impact throwing him forward. The sound of screeching brakes and shattering glass filled the air...
Emily slept soundly through the night and woke up the next day.
She slowly got up. opened the window, and looked around.
The small yard was beautifully arranged, with a pond in the southeast corner, lush flowers and plants, and some unknown greenery.
Feeling cheerful, Emily walked to the pond and squatted down to watch the goldfish. The fish seemed to sense her presence, swimming over and wagging their tails happily.
Emily couldn't help but smile, feeling like she was part of this peaceful,beautiful world.
"Finally. you're awake!" Melissa said, grinning as she walked over.
"I haven't slept this well in forever!" Emily stretched. "This place is amazing. Living here must be a dream!"
"Then stay and open a coffee shop with me!" Melissa joked.
"No way, I still have stuff to do in Pearl Peak City!" Emily laughed. "Why don't you come back to Pearl Peak City with me?"
Melissa pretended to think deeply. then hugged Emily with a playful grin. "I guess I could, but you'll have to take care of me. I'm leaving everything behind!"
Emily knew Melissa came from a wealthy family. She had only visited Melissa's grand old house once, and it had left a lasting impression.
But she never thought about taking advantage of it.
Seeing Emily in a good mood. Melissa retrieved the phone from under the couch. "Here. I put it here since you were sleeping so soundly last night."
Emily hadn't checked her phone all morning and wasn't in a hurry to do so now.
"Patrick called you a lot. I didn't answer, but he kept calling, so I hid it. What's going on with you two?" Melissa asked cautiously,
watching Emily's expression.
Emily was taken aback and saw the numerous missed calls from Patrick.
"It doesn't matter anymore," Emily sighed. "He probably saw my resignation letter and freaked out."
She said it nonchalantly.
Emily casually opened the news, and a headline caught her eye: #ELE AI Research Institute Vice President Andrew Arrested for Rape.Multiple Victims Speak Out.
It seemed the recordings and videos from the studio had worked.Emily laughed.
"What? You quit your job?" Melissa was more shocked than Emily."And you can still laugh about it!"
Work had once been as important as life to Emily, and the Rivera Group was her college dream. How could she just quit?
"Tell me, did Patrick bully you?" Melissa asked seriously, her big eyes wide with concern.
"No. I dumped him!" Emily tried to sound casual, but her heart ached as she said it.
"What? Are you serious?"
Melissa was so shocked her mouth hung open.
Seeing her reaction. Emily smiled. "Guess!"
"Oh.you tease!"
Melissa didn't believe it, knowing Patrick was Emily's first love.
Then. Melissa pretended to be angry and started tickling Emily.and they ended up in a playful tussle.
Just then. Emily's stomach growled. She hadn't eaten the night before.
They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"Wait here. I'll cook something for you!" Melissa volunteered confidently.
Emily remembered a college volunteer event where they cooked for elderly people. Melissa had been so excited and dragged her along to sign up. Now,seeing Melissa's confident look. Emily couldn't help but marvel. Could this pampered girl really cook?