Chapter 16 Faded Light.
Readers were engaging with Emery’s story more than ever, and her daily earnings had reached an all–time high.
She cleared her mind and continued typing away on her keyboard, the crisp tapping sounds almost like an outlet for her
emotions
Soon, the Langford family will have nothing to do teith me
Emery silently repeated the words to herself, as if giving herself a pep talk–or perhaps making a final, decisive farewell to the past
For the next three hours, she focused solely on writing, finally stockpiling enough drafts for two days.
She stopped, stretched her slender arms above her head, easing the stiffness in her muscles from sitting too long.
The dull ache in her body lessened slightly.
Glancing at the time, it was already eleven at night. Emery crawled into her warm bed, gently turned off the light, and prepared to sleep,
The following day.
The next morning. Emery slept until seven thirty. As soon as she got up, she heard an urgent knock on the door.
Still groggy, she opened it to find Winona standing there in a white dress, looking graceful and poised.
“Einery, breakfast is ready. Today’s my birthday party, and lots of guests will be coming. After you eat, you should freshen up and dress nicely!” Winona said cheerfully.
She looked as sincere as could be. If Emery hadn’t personally experienced being framed by her, she might have actually been moved by this act.
Her performance was truly flawless.
“Got it.”
After finishing her sentence, Emery closed the door. She changed her clothes and then headed downstairs for breakfast..
The living room on the first floor had been beautifully decorated by then. Pink roses and balloons filled every corner, and a portrait of Winona graced the wall..
Whoever arranged it had clearly put in a lot of effort.
At the dining table, the family was chatting and laughing. But the moment Emery arrived, the conversation stopped.
“Emery, can you come down earlier for breakfast tomorrow? The whole family is waiting on you! You’re really annoying like this!” Bradley complained, sounding irritated.
Ignoring him, Emery walked over and took a seat next to Winona. Moira served her a plate of food.
“Emery. I know you’ve been in a bad mood, but today is Winona’s birthday party. Important families will be attending, so you should dress up and try to enjoy yoursell. Gary said in a relatively mild tone.
“Okay!” Emery replied simply
Bradley shot her a glance “Don’t dress like a beggar and embarrass the Langford family”
Again, Emery ignored him and quietly ate her meal
Chapter 16 Faded Light
Unexpectedly. Winona flashed her a peculiar smile, then proceeded to spill the soup over her own hand.
“Ah!” A sharp scream filled the room.
Winona, what happened? Did you burn yourself?” Bradley and Eleanor rushed over in a panic.
Finished
“Mom, don’t blame Emery. I just couldn’t hold it properly!” Winona whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes as she clutched her reddened hand. She looked pitiful, as if she were truly suffering.
“Go get the burn ointment!” Nicholas shouted.
Bradley turned on Emery with a glare. “Why would you do that to Winona? She was just being nice and serving you soup. and you burned her on purpose! How can you be so cruel?”
Emery put down her utensils. “I hadn’t even touched the bowl yet, and the soup spilled. How is that my fault?”
She found the situation ridiculous. Can I not even eat a meal in peace in this house?
“Emery, your sister got burned trying to serve you soup, and you don’t even care? Do you even have a heart?” Eleanor snapped, her expression making it seem like Emery had committed an unforgivable crime.
Winona sobbed softly. “Mom, it hurts, but don’t blame Emery. She didn’t do it on purpose.”
Emery rolled her eyes. This was beyond absurd.
How did this pack of fools become one of Qutbridge’s four great families? Winona’s pitiful act is so cliché it is nauseating, yet they fall for it every time. Of course. When they don’t love you, even breathing is a crime. The one they love will always be in the right.
“Carry on with your drama. I’ve had my fill” Emery announced, rising to leave.
“Emery! How dare you talk like that?! No respect for your elders, no empathy–did prison teach you nothing?!” Nicholas finally lost his temper and roared.
Emery slowly lifted her gaze, meeting his furious eyes without a trace of fear. “What, are you hoping I’ll go back in for another two years?”
Her eyes were filled with defiance.
Even though her heart was riddled with wounds, she refused to show any signs of weakness in front of these people.
“You… You’re beyond saving! No shame, no morals! The Langford family wasted all these years raising you!” Nicholas spat, each word like a dagger piercing Emery’s heart.
Emery swallowed the bitterness in her throat. “Yeah, someone gave birth to me, but no one raised me. Happy now?”
Nicholas took a step forward. Slap! Slap!
Two solid slaps landed squarely on Emery’s face.
Two loud smacks landed across Emery’s face, leaving glaring red–marks,
She stared at Nicholas in disbelief. He was her protector since childhood and had never so much as rused his voice at her before.
A sharp, searing pain spread through her chest.
This pain was not just physical It was a deep, soul–crushing anguish horn from the betrayal and hurt inflicted by a loved one
And yet, in the midst of the pain, a steely determination formed in her heart.
4:21 PM ₫
Chapter 16 Faded Light
Finished
inside him wavered.
Why is she so thin? There isn’t even a trace of baby fat left on her face.
His little sister, who had once looked like a porcelain doll was now frail and gaunt.
Once, she had beautiful long hair, but now it was cropped to her cars. Most importantly, her eyes held nothing but indifference, devoid of any spark.
Regret flickered through him. Did I hit her too hard? Why had she changed so much? How had she become so unfamiliar to me?
Suppressing her emotions, Emery turned and headed upstairs without looking back.
Behind her, the family fussed over Winona, showering her with concern.
The scene was ironic. She had been home for days, and not once had she been able to finish a meal in peace. This house had no place for her.