Meanwhile, Rudolf was watching Emma like a hawk.
Daughter or not if she hurts his wife, she would be dealt with the consequences, and he would make sure of it.
“Please don’t cry…”
“I’m sorry my baby… Mumma didn’t protect you well.”
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault. Please don’t blame yourself.”
“No… I wasn’t a good Mumma to you…”
“Please stop crying… I saw all the things you did in my memory, and it is more than I could ask for. I felt your love for me and if I were dead, I would’ve…”
“Don’t talk about your death!”
“Don’t shout at her!”
“Mom? Dad? Don’t scare her off.”
Ryan sighed in hel
“Your parents?”“Foster parents.”Emma answered Rudolf calmly, not the slightest change in her emotions could be detected as her face was a blank canvas sucked out of any feelings, just like a robot.“Then why did you get married to him?”“I was tricked.”“What?!”“What?!”“Oh, my little girl!”Hyacinth exclaimed in distress as Ryan and Rudolf were furious at the revelation.“Did… Did he…”“Oh no! I willingly became a scapegoat. As I said I was a fool.”“What do you mean?”“It is in the past. I’ve moved on. I paid the price of my foolishness, that’s it.”
Pain seared throughout Emma’s right side, due to the harsh impact, knocking the air out of her lungs.With the support of the counter, Emma squatted down, bending in a fetal position still in a squat.She registered her doorbell going off but couldn’t muster up the strength to get up or even move a single muscle, the pain numbed all her senses.Another moment later she heard Fiona’s voice calling out to her and then her front door clicked open, maybe she heard Emma’s whimpers and gasps.Emma’s eyes shot open when she felt a pair of strong arms lifting her gently with utmost care, her tense body relaxed at the slightest and her eyes welled up even more.Looking at her foster father, asking her foster mother to fetch the icepack, and asking Fiona to find the first-aid kit, she remembered her university days, when she was still her daddy’s little princess.“Why are you so careless,
The sudden shift in the mood made Emma shift in her place, causing her to wince in pain.“Eve… Let’s go to the hospital, it is better to let the doctor take a look.”“No… It will be fine if I sleep it off, if not I’ll go to the doctor tomorrow morning, okay?”“Okay. Then let me carry you to bed.”“I want to sit for a while, I’m not sleepy yet.”“Then…”“Dadda, Mr. Monroe, whatever chat it is have it here. I want to be a part of it.”“Mon…”“Please?”“Okay.”Stanley agreed with a soft sigh, as Rudolf took a seat on the sofa adjacent to Stanley and Hyacinth sat down beside Catherine with an awkward smile.Ryan and Fiona settled down on the loveseat across from Emma, though not willingly it was the only remaining space left.“With my understanding from what Emma said, you just found out about her?”“Yes. And I’m speculating you already suspected it?”“Emma’s eyes… Not many people share the same eyes, and your Monroe bloodline is well known for it. I had my suspicions.”“Then why did you
“Why?”“Huh?”“There is no need for that and you’re well aware of that, so why?”“I’m done with being someone’s wife or someone’s daughter. I want to be me. I want to forge my own identity.”“You can do it after a formal introduction as well.”“I will remain as the ‘Monroe Heiress’ or ‘The Monroe’s Lost Daughter’ even worse ‘Dead Daughter’.”“Sweetheart…”“Iris… Rudolf shook his head negatively before facing Emma once again, his gaze softened at her stubbornness, he knew it was all a façade, yet he was ready to entertain her.“Eve, I’m ready to support you on this but I have some conditions.”“What is it?”“You accept our help. I and Ryan will teach you business, your mom will invest in your business, of course she’ll hold some shares, and you will accept and spend the money I give you.”“I can accept everything but the last condition.”“Even if I say that is the dealbreaker?”“Yes.”Without batting an eye Emma firmly stated her answer, making Rudolf chuckle, whereas Stanley had a pr
The family entered the airport through the VIP entrance to avoid any lingering paparazzi and hence avoided most of the crowd.As the time of separation neared, Catherine and Hyacinth’s eyes welled up with tears.Both the mothers just got back their daughter after years of separation and yet they were losing her once again, though this time they will stay connected, it still isn’t the same as having her in front of them.“Please don’t cry… It will make this even harder…”“Oh no… We’re not crying. Now come here and hug Mumma!”“Me too!”“I need one as well!”“Yeah, yeah!”Emma chuckled as she discreetly brushed off her tears and hugged everyone, including Rudolf who was pleasantly surprised by the gesture but was happy, nonetheless.In the past month, Rudolf helped Emma through a lot of things, big and small, every detail was looked after by him, he took care of many things which did not even cross Emma’s mind and she was grateful for that.He might suspect her of being a fake and he wa
*3 years later*The Monroe Mansion was decorated like a Christmas tree and was bustling with activity, as luxury cars drove in, and valets were kept on their tows to ensure their safe parking.Today was Mr. and Mrs. Monroe’s Anniversary celebration and like every year they organized a charity ball for yet another noble cause.This event also served as a stage for every aristocrat to compare and show their wealth, especially the wealthy Madams of the household and young ladies of exceptional backgrounds.Dressed in their finest dresses and accessories, they were more blinding than the center-piece chandelier of the Monroe Mansion consisting of Swarovski diamonds, which makes it dazzle like beautiful jewelry instead of a chandelier.While the men made the best use of their time here to make connections and meet people who would be hard to catch in a more formal setting, Rudolf and Ryan Monroe were the most sought-after connections.Other than the hosts, old money like the Howards, Stark
While Emma was busy with other introductions, Adela nudged her husband making him look at her in amusement.“Where are your brat?”“My brats?”“Alex…”“I’ll give them a call and ask?”“They better be here before Eve leaves to speak with others.”“How about you keep her engaged while I get them?”“That’s a great idea, Alex! I love you!”“I love you too, my moon!”“Oh, hush you!”“Now go, I’ll get my brats.”Alexander nudged Adela forward with a fond smile, as she chuckled and with slow measured paces, elegantly walked to Emma who was just done greeting the Wilsons.“Hello, sweetheart!”“Hello, Mrs. Howard.”“Oh, please call me Adela! That’s what Ryan calls me.”“But…”“I and your mother best friends since kindergarten, I’m more like your Aunt than a stranger, so if you would love to, then call me Aunt Adela instead!”“Sure!”“Great! I’m really happy to have you back with us dear. Now I know the reason for the glow I’ve seen on your parents' faces for the last 3 years.”“Oh, I…”“Don’t
Christopher hated gatherings like this the most.It was brimming with mothers who were eager to make him their son-in-law and women who were ready to throw themselves at him.If it wasn’t for Ryan personally making a trip to his office to invite him, which is very unlike him, he wouldn’t have bothered to attend this one either.He was planning to leave right after greeting the stars of the night, but he couldn’t meet them even until their toast…And after that?He wouldn’t, not until he spoke with a certain woman.And he did just that, as soon as he saw her leaving the room, he followed behind her, as discreetly as possible, and found her in the garden enjoying the night breeze.Unknowingly a small smile made its way on his lips.She has always enjoyed solitude and peace; silence was her sanctuary.That is why he was waiting for her to leave the room to get some air.Not wanting to disturb her peace, he approached her softly but what came next caught him off-guard.He expected a glare