As Emily stepped into the brilliantly lit engagement hall, she was like a dazzling star, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. Her stunning beauty seemed as if she had stepped straight out of a Hollywood movie, like a goddess descending to earth. Her fair, delicate skin and finely contoured features looked even more flawless under the warm glow of the lights. Her deep, luminous eyes sparkled with intelligence, as if they could perceive all the beauty and sorrow of the world.
She wore a custom-made white V-neck gown, with lace and satin woven together like delicate brushstrokes, perfectly outlining her graceful silhouette. The pearls and crystals that adorned the dress added a layer of elegance and sophistication. Her red high heels elongated her legs, making her look both enchanting and poised, exuding endless charm with each step. Her long hair was styled elegantly in a half-up, half-down look, with a few loose strands cascading gently, adding a soft femininity to her appearance.
The room seemed to hold its breath as Emily made her entrance, her presence captivating every guest. The soft murmur of conversations hushed, replaced by gasps of admiration. For a moment, the sparkling chandeliers above seemed to dim in comparison to her radiance. She glanced around the room, her heart swelling with happiness, knowing that today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Today was Emily and Ethan's engagement party. For Emily, being able to celebrate this romantic occasion with her beloved in this vibrant city was one of the happiest moments of her life. The banquet hall was filled with an atmosphere of warmth and joy, as guests gathered to extend their heartfelt wishes to the happy couple. She could see smiling faces all around, hear the clinking of champagne glasses, and feel the joyful energy that surrounded them. It was a moment she wanted to remember forever.
Ethan looked especially handsome today, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His gold-rimmed glasses highlighted his refined and gentlemanly demeanor, a mix of sophistication and tenderness. He was standing by the stage, greeting guests with a warm smile. When his gaze met Emily’s across the room, his eyes softened, and he mouthed a silent “You look beautiful.” Emily’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but smile back, feeling the love radiate between them.
Emily, born in a small town, had been in this bustling city for three years. She did not have many friends or family in this place; most were back in her hometown and unable to attend. Apart from her colleague and close friend Amber, Emily had no one else by her side. She had worked hard to establish herself here, and the journey had not been easy, but today, standing beside Ethan, she felt that all her struggles were worth it.
Amber wore a low-cut champagne-colored gown, softly congratulating Emily and Ethan. Yet, there was an unreadable emotion flickering in her eyes. Her smile was polite, but there was a tension in her expression that Emily couldn’t quite place. Amber’s presence at her engagement was important to Emily; after all, they had gone through a lot together since they first started working at the hotel.
“Thank you, Amber. I’m so glad you could be here,” Emily responded, her gaze filled with gratitude.
There was a fleeting look of complexity in Amber’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it. Emily and Amber worked together at the hotel, having met during their onboarding training. Coming from similar small-town backgrounds, they shared the same dialect, and it wasn’t long before they became friends. They had supported each other through the challenges of adapting to city life, forming a bond that Emily cherished.
During a break in the party, Emily walked towards the fitting room, her steps heavy as her feet ached in her heels. She wanted to change into something more comfortable. The noise and excitement of the hall seemed to blur in the background as she moved away. The shimmering lights and laughter slowly faded as she walked through a quieter corridor, the noise of her heels echoing off the polished floor.
However, as she approached the fitting room door, she heard a familiar, sultry voice from within. “Ethan, I missed you so much.” That voice was not only familiar but also unsettling. Driven by curiosity and an instinctive sense of unease, Emily edged closer to the slightly ajar door, wanting to hear what was going on inside.
Her heart pounded, and she held her breath as she peered through the narrow gap. Through the crack in the door, she saw Amber almost clinging to a man. From Emily’s perspective, Amber’s dress appeared disheveled, and they were locked in an intense kiss. The sight hit Emily like a bolt of lightning, leaving her world shattered in an instant. Her heart seemed to stop, and the blood drained from her face. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Was this real? Was it Ethan?
“Amber, stop… today is my engagement…” Ethan’s voice held exhaustion and reluctance. Emily’s vision blurred, and her knees weakened. It felt like the floor had vanished beneath her, and her entire body was suspended in disbelief. Then, Amber seemed to notice Emily standing there, peeking in. Her eyes briefly flicked in Emily’s direction before she raised her voice, as if deliberately making sure Emily heard. “Ethan, I’m pregnant.” The words were like a bombshell detonating inside Emily’s heart, an overwhelming wave of nausea surging through her.
“You’re pregnant? How is that possible…” Ethan stuttered, stunned.
Tears immediately brimmed in Amber’s eyes. “Ethan, I know today is your big day. Before that day, I thought our lives would never intersect. I’ve always had feelings for you, even though I never intended to ruin your relationship with Emily. I never thought about stepping in until I found out I was pregnant…” Amber’s voice trembled, and she looked at Ethan with desperation, her hands clinging to his arm.
Emily felt a wave of strong nausea, her heart filled with indescribable pain and anger. Her entire body felt cold, her fingers trembling slightly as she struggled to process what she had just witnessed. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, then suddenly pushed the door open. The loud noise caused Ethan and Amber to turn their heads simultaneously. Emily held her phone firmly, recording the betrayal as evidence. Her eyes were cold and resolute, as if she wanted to freeze this moment forever in her memory.
Amber’s face turned deathly pale, and she stepped back in panic, while Ethan stood there, stunned.
“Emily, let me explain…” Ethan attempted to approach her, but Emily backed away without hesitation, raising her hand to stop him. She took a deep breath, her clenched fist slowly relaxing, as if she was trying to suppress all the sadness and fury inside. Her mind was spinning, but she knew one thing—she needed to get out of there.
“No need to explain. I understand—people make mistakes; adults make mistakes.” Emily’s voice was icy cold. She took off her high heels, lifted her dress, and turned to leave. Her steps were firm and determined, with not the slightest trace of hesitation or regret. Each step felt like she was reclaiming her power, walking away from the illusion she had built in her mind. The illusion of a perfect love, of a future that now seemed like a cruel joke.
Ethan tried to chase after Emily, but Amber clung to him tightly. “Ethan, please, don’t leave me like this. I need you,” Amber cried, her voice echoing down the hallway. With so many guests present, Ethan knew he had to handle the situation with care to prevent a scene. He needed to calm Amber and make sure the guests remained oblivious to what had just happened.
Emily reached the entrance of the hotel, her vision blurred by tears she refused to let fall. Her heart was aching, a deep throbbing pain that seemed to consume her whole chest. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this—broken, vulnerable, betrayed. She pushed the heavy glass doors open, the cold evening air hitting her face like a slap.
Just as Emily reached the entrance of the hotel, her phone rang. It was the hospital. “Emily, we have the results of your premarital check-up…”
"Polycystic ovary syndrome, difficulty conceiving." The doctor's words were like a cold blade, stabbing deeply into Emily's heart. After hanging up the phone, she felt her world collapsing, as though all the colors had drained from it in that very moment.In just one day, she had experienced two devastating blows. First, she caught her fiancé and her closest friend betraying her with her own eyes. Then, she learned that she might never be able to conceive, while the other woman was already pregnant. The unexpected changes hit Emily so hard that even someone as strong as her needed time to digest such unimaginable turmoil.She stood at the hotel entrance, her heart a storm of anger and sadness, crashing within her like fierce waves, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She gripped her phone tightly, her fingers pale from the pressure. She needed time—time to adjust her emotions, to rethink her future. As she crossed the street, lost in her thoughts, an ear-piercing car horn
The peaceful morning was suddenly pierced by the shrill ring of a phone. Emily, groggy from sleep, fumbled to answer it. The news on the other end made her instantly alert."Emily, where have you been? I've been calling you for ages. Your grandma had a sudden heart attack yesterday. I called an ambulance and she’s now in the People's Hospital. She needs surgery urgently, please come back soon," her mother’s voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness. Every word seemed to slam into Emily’s heart.Emily had been raised by her grandmother and mother. She knew firsthand the hardships they endured. Without a father, it had always been just the three of them, leaning on each other to get through the toughest of times. Now, hearing that her grandmother's life was hanging by a thread, Emily was overwhelmed by helplessness and fear. She quickly requested leave from work, packed her bags, and booked the earliest flight, desperate to be by her grandmother’s side.As the plane flew high above
Ethan sat in his dark leather ergonomic chair, sunlight streaming through the blinds, casting a dappled pattern across his desk. It was a warm autumn afternoon, yet his mood was anything but bright—a cloud of unease seemed to hang over him, keeping him restless. His fingers drummed against the table unconsciously, making a soft rhythm as if trying to beat away the thoughts cluttering his mind. Documents lay scattered across the polished surface, but he couldn't focus on them—his mind was elsewhere, somewhere that kept slipping from his grasp, and he had no power to bring it back.Ever since Emily had walked out of their engagement party, Ethan had been in a perpetual state of turmoil. Days had gone by without a single word from her, and the emptiness gnawed at him. He thought he'd be able to carry on with his life, to return to normal, to be the same old Ethan he always was. But whenever the world went quiet, his mind filled the silence with thoughts of her. He remembered the warmth of
The impending surgery loomed like a storm on the horizon—unknown and fraught with uncertainty. Emily’s mother was not in the best of health, and Emily herself could not afford to collapse, not now. The hospital lights continued to burn brightly as night fell. By ten in the evening, exhaustion and the necessity to rest finally made Emily relent. She agreed to Ethan’s suggestion of staying at the nearby hotel. It went without saying that they booked separate rooms.Emily returned to her room, taking a quick, hot shower before changing into fresh pajamas. Despite two days of relentless fatigue weighing on her body, she found herself unable to sleep. She lay in bed, twisting and turning, her mind wandering restlessly. Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to the memories she shared with Ethan. Those three years, though short, had occupied some of the most beautiful moments of her life.She remembered her early days at the luxury hotel, working as a front desk receptionist. It had been chao
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, painting warm, golden streaks across Emily's face. She slowly opened her eyes, letting the gentle light coax her awake. The peace and harmony of the early dawn wrapped around her, making her feel momentarily calm and refreshed, as if the troubles of the past few days were nothing more than an evanescent dream. Though the memories of last night's vivid dream lingered, she knew well that no matter how real the dream felt, it could not change her reality. She had to stay strong—for her grandmother, her mother, and most importantly, for herself.Emily quickly dressed, donning her most comfortable clothes, and set off for the hospital. She walked briskly through the hallways, her heart already at her grandmother's side. As she turned the corner to approach the room, she suddenly saw Ethan coming down the hallway from the other direction. He was here to visit her grandmother, just as she was. His eyes locked on hers, filled with concern
Emily stood at the hotel front desk, her smile warm and professional. As a front desk receptionist, she always greeted every guest with enthusiasm, giving her all no matter what. Her eyes were focused and determined, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she handled various tasks. Despite the deep pain she carried within, she never allowed her personal emotions to interfere with her work. She knew that this job was a symbol of her independence and the foundation for rebuilding her life.Today, like any other day, she worked diligently, managing her duties in an organized manner. She constantly reminded herself that no matter what happened in her life, she had to remain focused and keep moving forward.The phone ringing interrupted Emily’s work. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Ethan’s mother. She took a deep breath and picked up the phone."Emily, do you have time this weekend? It's my birthday, and you absolutely must come over to the house," the familiar, gentle voice came th
Chapter 008: The Inspection IncidentWith the year coming to an end, the hotel group’s headquarters had decided to send upper management for random inspections, ensuring that the quality of service and operational standards of their hotels were upheld. The hotel where Emily worked was among those chosen for inspection. Today was the day of the inspection, and a sense of tension and anticipation filled the entire building.Emily stood at the front desk, her smile brighter than usual. She knew that today was not just a test for the hotel, but also a personal challenge. She had to be on her very best behavior, showing the highest level of professionalism to handle anything that might happen.Her uniform was ironed to perfection, with not a wrinkle in sight. Her hair was neatly pinned back, and every detail of her appearance spoke of her dedication to her job and how seriously she took this inspection. Determination glimmered in her eyes as if telling everyone that no matter what happened
Emily followed Ethan’s mother into the café. The atmosphere here was a stark contrast to the tension of the hotel, with the rich aroma of coffee and the soft music filling the air. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the cozy tables and chairs, adding a touch of warmth to the winter day.They chose a table by the window, and Ethan’s mother took off her coat, revealing her elegant outfit. Her graceful demeanor and every movement reflected her pursuit of quality in life. Even the way she folded her coat, with meticulous care, showed her attention to detail.The waiter approached them, smiling as he asked what they would like. Ethan’s mother ordered two lattes and then turned to Emily.“Emily, what kind of coffee do you usually like?” Her voice was gentle, tinged with care.“A cappuccino, thank you,” Emily replied, her voice calm, though her heart was a bit uneasy. She wasn't sure what this conversation would lead to, and the uncertainty gnawed at her