Chapter 21
Chapter 21
“Vincent…” she called softly, snapping him out of it. Her face showed quiet hurt and patience. “Don’t be mad at Emily. She just needs some time to accept that we’re together now. I believe she’ll come around soon.”
Vincent looked at her and felt his heart soften. “Lydia, you’re always so kind.”
Lydia looked down shyly, clearly flustered by the praise. Then, as if something occurred to her, she turned and took a few pieces of clothing from the store manager’s arms and ran over to Emily.
She said, “Emily, you’ve been gone for two years. We all really missed you. Now that you’re back, let’s live together happily as a family.
“These are my favorite clothes. I want you to have them. Please… please let me be with Vincent, okay?
“I know you love him too, but Vincent loves me. I just can’t bear to let him go. You’ll give us your blessing, won’t you?
“Emily, when Vincent and I get married, will you be my bridesmaid? Only with your blessing can we be truly happy together.”
Her voice was soft, sweet, and innocent-but every word stabbed deep into Emily’s heart.
Everyone in Cloudridge knew how obsessed Emily used to be with Vincent.
Back when everyone else had turned their backs on her, Emily still clung to Vincent-chasing after him without a shred of dignity, treating him like the only light in her life.
So Lydia had to know just how much her words would hurt.
If this had been the old days, Emily would’ve shoved her away in anger and screamed at her in front of everyone.
That was why both Vincent and Emma instinctively reached out to shield Lydia, fully expecting Emily to snap.
But they forgot-that was the Emily from two years ago.
Now, after hearing those words, Emily didn’t feel anything. It was like all the obsession and bitterness had faded the moment Vincent said, “You brought it on yourself.”
She looked at Lydia calmly and nodded with quiet sincerity. “Sure. I hope you two have a happy life together-and stay that way forever. Is that good enough?”
Her reaction shocked everyone. Vincent and Emma’s hands froze midair and stayed there for several seconds.
Lydia was stunned too. She clutched the clothes tighter, unsure what had just happened.
After thinking for a bit, she broke into a bright smile, as if Emily’s words had made her really happy. “Emily, I’m so glad you’ve come around.”
She held the clothes out toward Emily. “Come on, try them on. If you like any of them, maybe you can wear one at the wedding-as a bridesmaid.”
Emily hadn’t liked Lydia’s touch two years ago. Now she hated anyone touching her. It reminded her of the people at St. Gabriel’s-the way they got close with bad intentions, like rats crawling out of the gutter.
Just as she was about to step away, Lydia suddenly grabbed her arm. The next second, Lydia’s face twisted in fear, and she screamed. “Emily, what are you doing?!”
She yanked Emily’s hand and pulled it toward her shoulder. The clothes she was holding hid their movements from
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everyone else, making it look like Emily had pushed her.
The scene instantly brought Emily back to that moment two years ago-when she had “pushed Lydia down the stairs.
Back then, Lydia had done the same thing-grabbed her hand, placed it on her own shoulder, then turned her back to the Bennetts and tumbled down.
As that memory flashed in her mind, panic surged through Emily.
She couldn’t go through that again. She couldn’t be sent back to St. Gabriel’s.