Emily gave a sad smile. "I can’t sleep."Satan sighed. "... Neither can I."In the quiet of the night, two sleepless people found a perfect moment to talk.Satan casually asked, "Emily, can you tell me what your three years in the UK were like?"Emily licked her lips and spoke simply, "There’s not much to tell. I studied and worked. My life was pretty dull. It wasn’t much different from how it was before, so I got used to it quickly. It didn’t even feel difficult—if anything, I found it fulfilling. Every moment of my day was packed, and that made me feel like life had purpose."Satan nodded thoughtfully. "You’ve always been a hardworking person.""It’s not that I’m particularly hardworking," she corrected. "I think I’m just used to being busy. Before, I worked hard for Sophia’s tuition, but now I’m working for myself, and that makes me feel happy. I felt lucky to be able to work for my own future.""Were you studying at Oxford?""Cambridge," Emily replied. "I thought about going to Ox
Satan also bowed respectfully.Emily spoke up, “You’re still recovering.”“I should have visited him sooner,” Satan replied, his voice soft with regret. “I didn’t take good care of your father when he passed. I’m sorry.”William’s grave was meticulously clean, likely thanks to Bert visiting earlier.Family—mentioning them always softened Emily’s heart, no matter the situation.“Emily, let’s go. It’s getting cold,” Satan gently urged.Following his lead, Emily stood and placed the chrysanthemums on William’s grave. “William, if you need anything in heaven, don’t hesitate to come to me in my dreams. I won’t mind.”The photo of the young William on the headstone showed him smiling brightly.They spent the whole day at William’s grave, only deciding to head back to the hospital as dusk settled in.While driving, Satan coughed lightly, trying to stifle the sound. Emily noticed immediately.“You okay? Your throat sounds hoarse,” she asked with concern.“I’m fine,” Satan replied calmly.“But
Emily smiled and nodded, "I'll remember that."Adam was currently dating someone. He will probably be busy around Christmas.After the nurse finished dressing Bert’s wound, she reminded him, “Make sure to keep the wound dry for the next few days, especially when you shower.”Emily quickly thanked the nurse earnestly.After picking up some medication, Emily turned to Bert and said, “You should stay at my place tonight.”“You’re staying in a hotel, aren’t you? Getting an extra room will cost a lot. I’d rather go to a friend’s house,” Bert protested.“The hotel is covered by the company. We don’t have to pay for it ourselves.”Bert looked skeptical. “Really?”“Of course, it’s true. You know my boss is really nice.”“Well... alright, but won’t it be inconvenient for you, being a girl and all?”“I… I’m not staying there at night anyway,” Emily replied.Bert’s expression turned serious. “Where are you staying then?”“I’m sleeping at the office. It’s almost Christmas, and I have a lot of wor
Vincent drove Bert back to the hotel. Most of his personal belongings had been destroyed in the fire, and he needed to buy replacements.Emily told Bert to rest while she made a quick trip downstairs to the supermarket.Bert stopped her, thoughtfully asking, “That Vincent guy… haven’t we seen him somewhere before?”Emily kept her expression neutral, answering calmly, “In Rome.”“No, I mean before that. In Rome, I didn’t really pay much attention to him, but earlier, I had a good look. He seems really familiar. I swear I’ve seen him before. Don’t you remember?”Emily licked her lips and took a deep breath. “No.”Bert was still a bit puzzled, but he couldn’t quite place it. After settling him in, Emily grabbed her keys and headed out.The elevator dinged as it reached the first floor. As the doors opened, she stepped forward, only to see a familiar figure. She blinked, surprised. “You… didn’t leave?”“I live here too. Did you forget?” Satan said, noticing her holding her room card and k
After switching to flat shoes, Emily felt much lighter on her feet.However...Both of them were still dressed in formal business attire—she in a blouse and A-line skirt, and Satan in a full suit. No matter how you looked at it, the sneakers on their feet didn't quite match their outfits.Satan didn’t seem to mind at all. He looked at her and asked, “What do you need to buy, Emily?”His voice was so hoarse that a nearby child couldn’t stop staring at him.Emily stepped in front of him, blocking the child's view. “Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”“Where are you going?”But before Satan could stop her, she had already dashed off.In less than five minutes, she returned with a cup of hot soy milk, handing it to him. “Drink this—it’ll help soothe your throat.”Satan glanced at the logo on the cup. “Was the store far?”“No, it’s just outside the supermarket. I saw it when we arrived.”Satan nodded, taking a large gulp, and immediately felt the warmth spread through his throat, soothin
After settling Bert down, Emily went straight to the police station the next morning.“Fire?” the officer asked.Emily nodded. “Yes, my house caught fire for no apparent reason, and I suspect someone set it deliberately.”The young officer was very responsible. Hearing that it might be arson, he took it seriously and carefully asked her many questions related to the incident.Emily answered them all, and after completing the report, four police officers accompanied her back to Bert’s house.The narrow street quickly became tense as people noticed the arrival of police cars. This was a poor neighborhood, but it also harbored some shady characters. The moment the police arrived, people ran out to see what was happening, following them all the way to Bert’s home.“Isn’t that Bert’s house? Why are the police here? Did they come to arrest someone?”“Yeah, Bert’s a good guy, isn’t he? What could he have done wrong?”“Maybe it’s because William died, and Bert couldn’t take it anymore. Did he
The moment Emily spoke, Sophia froze in her seat. Grace glanced at her, confused, as if trying to figure out who this woman was.Emily smiled faintly. Regardless of who they thought she was, this time, neither Grace nor Sophia would walk away easily.The officer nodded at Emily. “You may proceed.”“Thank you,” Emily replied.She stepped further into the room, standing tall while Grace and Sophia sat, forced to look up at her. In stark contrast to their shabby appearance, Emily was well-dressed, poised, and composed, her elegance immediately intimidating Grace into silence. Grace, with a guilty smile, tried to play nice. “Miss, are you the one who reported us?”“That’s right,” Emily said calmly.Grace squinted, studying Emily’s face closely. Her brow furrowed deeply.This woman didn’t ring any bells.Her appearance, her voice—none of it matched anyone Grace remembered.Feeling a little more relaxed, Grace attempted a smile. “May I ask your name?”“Call me Miranda,” Emily said simply.“
Grace’s quick confession wrapped up the case, and both she and Sophia were detained by the police under charges of endangering public safety. They were given a thorough lecture, though whether Grace was listening was another story.After hours of stern education, the young officer was exhausted. He downed a large cup of tea and sighed, “You were once family, right? Couldn’t you all just sit down and talk things through? And you, you’re in your fifties or sixties now. Why haven’t you taught your daughter anything good?”Grace forced a smile, embarrassment clear on her face. “Our situation is complicated. It’s not something that can be explained in a few words. Sure, I was wrong to set the fire, but there’s always a cause for everything. I was forced into a corner. You saw it when you came to arrest us, didn’t you? My daughter and I used to live well, but now we’re reduced to cleaning in nightclubs. I used to be a wealthy lady!”The young officer, with little experience and easily swaye
One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos they’d left behind. Guests began to arrive, the first among them being Allen and Olivia, who had just returned from their honeymoon. They entered, hand-in-hand, faces glowing with happiness. Olivia had transformed over the last year. Now a poised and capable woman, she’d embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. “Emily!” Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophia’s hand. "This British couple is my family. They’re good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldn’t let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldn’t leave a ‘dead’ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didn’t die; I’m alive and back to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother won’t steal my inheritance, and you won’t ruin my wedding. Now, the ceremony continues."Satan stood in the grand hall, watching the strong, fearless woman Emily had become, a wave of unspeakable joy rising within him. His woman had become powerful.Dressed in a white gown, Emily walked slowly toward Satan, accompanied by Bert. The small diamonds on her gown sparkled under the light
“I know,” Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. She’d expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincent’s unwavering stance took her by surprise. It’s over—everything’s finally over.Emily’s eyes glistened with tears.The priest’s voice resonated, “The groom may now kiss the bride…”Emily lowered her head, tears shimmering on her lashes. Vincent leaned in, kissing away the tear before it fell.Applause thundered through the church, and the priest laughed. “Go on, kiss her; she’s yours now.”Vincent didn’t hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. “You’re my wife, Emily. Finally.”Emily smiled through her tears. “Yes, I’m finally your wife.”Vincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. “Emily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.”The guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasn’t about to let things end on such a perfect note. Her face twisted with such fury
Dylan was right.Three days later, Emily Carter and Vincent Norman were to be married. With Meggie as the wedding’s head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Miranda—the talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prize—was indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldn’t believe the city’s most eligible bachelor, Vincent, had been swept off his feet so quickly.The Norman family, known for their longstanding legacy, hosted an extravagant guest list. Alex greeted everyone warmly, while Mandy barely cracked a smile. She was still fuming—she’d barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a “suitable” bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, “Wasn’t he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now he’s marrying someone else so fast?”Meggie overheard and firmly replied, “The bride is Emily.”“Oh, come on, Mom. She’s not—”
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. “Fine, I’ll drink it. But after I’m done, go back to your office!”With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of lemon water in one go. She quickly shoved the empty glass back into Vincent's hands, saying, "There, all done!"Vincent's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great. Come to my office at lunchtime," he said with a hint of mischief.Emily frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, mouthing, “People are watching!”Vincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, “It’s freezing outside, so don’t go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; he’ll bring it up, and we’ll eat together.”“...Okay.”He’s gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping he’d leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.“Oh, one more thing,” Vincent added nonchalantly, “Don’t rush off after work. We’ll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.”Emily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything he’d just eaten, leaving a mess on the floor.The young nurse, no older than twenty, panicked and rushed toward the door to call a doctor, but Jackson stopped her. “Stay,” he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. “Sir, if you’re unwell, you really should let the doctor check—”“I’m not unwell,” Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.“Are you scared of me?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.“N-no, not at all,” the nurse stammered, shaking her head. “It’s just…”“Don’t worry about it,” he said, a faint sneer forming. “Fear is natural. I’ve never been the nicest person, and I don’t pretend to be.”“Oh no, you’re a good person, sir! You… well, you pay me well,” she replied hesitantly.“Money alone doesn’t make someone good,” Jacks
The projects across the company were running smoothly. Ken managed the technical aspects, and Daniel handled administration and overall decision-making. Even during Satan's three-year absence, The Great Wall Group retained its position as New York’s leading business powerhouse.As Emily browsed the recent news on her phone in the car, it was clear the city was engulfed in Christmas cheer, bright and bustling.Satan glanced over. “Any plans for Christmas?”She paused. “Not really. I’ll probably just stay in and watch TV with Bert.”He nodded without pressing further. Emily wondered what had prompted him to ask; he’d usually spend Christmas with his family.A slight smile crept across her face, but her expression held a tinge of sadness. The people in her life seemed to be growing fewer by the year. Christmas used to be difficult but joyful, a shared warmth despite the hardships. This year, it felt especially lonely. Sophia had long severed ties with the family, and William was gone. It
Jackson cut her off. “Then let me take you to meet my family! You’re amazing—they just don’t know you yet. Once they do, they’ll definitely support us being together. That way, we won’t have to choose, and we can stay together, right?”“What if they still don’t agree?”“I’ll talk to them. I’m committed to you for life. They’ll have to come around, whether they agree or not!”Emily couldn’t help but laugh. “But I don’t agree.”Jackson felt a pang of panic. He tried to sit up to reach her hand, but his body was still confined by the plaster, immobilizing him completely, and he was forced to lie back down. “Emily, are you worried because my parents don’t like you? If I love you, their initial reservations don’t matter; they’ll come to accept it.”“That’s part of it,” Emily admitted, “but there’s a more important reason…”A sinking feeling came over Jackson. “…What is it?”……Weather forecasts are rarely reliable, but this time, it turned out to be spot on.By evening, the sky was filled
Emily didn’t say anything, but her mind was a mess.“You don’t need to say so many sentimental things,” she replied softly. “For Meggie’s sake, I’ll go through with the wedding. Don’t worry.”“But I don’t want a fake wedding,” Satan replied. “I want it to be real.”The elevator stopped on the ground floor.Emily stepped out first, and unlike the warmth of the room upstairs, cold snowflakes were now drifting down outside, and the air felt sharp against her skin, like knives slicing across her face.Standing at the Hilton’s entrance, she asked, “Did you drive here?”“I took a cab.”“Did you sneak out again?”Satan shrugged with a wry smile. “Dylan’s been keeping too close an eye on me.”With no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up.“To St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, then turned back to him. “When you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?”He nodded. “And what about you? What