Chapter 9

As promised, Emma was out of the house by the next sunrise, leaving behind two puzzled members and three relieved family members.

Her disappearance puzzled Mr. Watson, whereas Spade was unsure as to how to interpret her words from last night and her disappearance this morning.

On the other hand, Shayne and Stella were rejoicing on the inside to be finally rid of Emma’s annoying presence in their lives.

Madam Watson was also on cloud nine to have freed her son from the good-for-nothing woman, who brought no advantages to Shayne, unlike Stella who was already a well-established actress.

********************

Emma rolled her suitcase into the elevator of the apartment complex she bought the other day. Readjusting her sling bag, she pressed her floor and leaned back to wait for the elevator to close.

Just as the doors were about to close, a muscular arm interrupted, prompting the door to slide open again.

The unexpected interruption made Emma look up from her mobile, only to find a charming young man enter with an apologetic smile, as he pressed the floor above hers, then pressed to close the doors.

Comfortable silence lingered as the elevator ascended through floors smoothly, while Emma was busy scrolling through her mobile, mentally checking her to-do list for the day.

“Are you new here?”

The young man broke the comfortable shroud of silence in the elevator, snapping Emma out of her thoughts.

“Uh… Yes, I’m moving in today.”

“You made the right choice. This place is comparatively cheaper for graduates with new jobs but also has a nice environment.”

The young man smiled warmly as he looked at Emma with genuine interest.

“Graduate?”

“Yes, aren’t you? Oh! I’m sorry, you look young and you don’t seem to own much things either so I just…”

“It’s alright.”

“I’m Aaron Smith. I live in the 4^th unit.”

“Emma Wright. I’m also moving into the 4^th unit downstairs.”

“Great! Then welcome neighbor.”

Aaron beamed as he offered Emma a congratulatory handshake, which the latter accepted with a small smile.

“See you around, Emma.”

Aaron beamed her another smile as the elevator opened and Emma rolled her suitcase out, with an acknowledging nod.

********************

Entering the house, she settled her suitcase in the bedroom and walked into the kitchen to see what she could do with the welcome package she received from the broker.

It contained some snacks and bathroom essentials, which meant she had to go shopping for groceries before lunch.

With a new task on her to-do list, Emma freshened up and unpacked her suitcase, setting up her wardrobe.

The only things she brought with her were the ones she owned with her own money during her first job before she became Mrs. Watson.

Thankfully, even after 5 years, the clothes fit her well and were in good condition, since Madam Watson did not like those types of clothing and refused to let Emma wear those even indoors.

Dressed in bottle green cotton trousers and a crisp white cotton shirt, her hair pulled into a high ponytail and devoid of any accessories, Emma felt like herself after a long time.

Sorting out her minimal things, Emma grabbed her purse and keys, locking her apartment behind her. She pressed the elevator and patiently waited for it to arrive while scrolling through her mobile.

The noise of another door opening snapped her attention towards it, her heart about to leap out in anticipation.

Her foster parents’ apartment door opened to reveal her father walking out, ready for the workday with her mother sending him off like always.

Stanley and Catherine were a loving couple in their early fifties.

Because of their busy lifestyle in their youth, they had difficulty conceiving and holding a child full term, so after 3 miscarriages, they decided to adopt a small child instead.

Emma was that little girl. Despite them wanting an infant, Emma stole their hearts in the first meeting and by the second meeting they were sure it was her they were looking for as their child.

And her entry into their lives also graced them with the happiness of their offspring, a successful full-term pregnancy resulting in Emma’s foster sister Fiona Wright, a total sweetheart who was 8 years younger than Emma herself.

Unlike the other parents, her parents did not neglect or alienate her after Fiona’s birth but tried their best to provide for them similarly, but it was Emma who was walking on eggshells.

Having already been abandoned once by her biological parents, she did not want to go through the same pain again, as Stella convinced her that her parents will abandon her for Fiona.

The stupid young Emma couldn’t differentiate between genuine and fake love and ended up alienating her foster family instead.

Now, looking at her father, whose eyes held disappointment and sorrow, whereas her mother looked at her with longing and sadness, she really felt like the greatest idiot of the century.

“Mom. Dad.”

Emma called out softly, her voice thick with emotions.

After 5 years of watching them from the shadows, Emma can finally meet them face to face.

“Catherine, since when did we become parents to the high and mighty Mrs. Watson?”

Stanley’s voice came out sharp and precise, just like it did in the courtrooms. There he gave hope to the victims, here he crushed his daughter’s hope a little.

Stanley Wright is a public prosecutor, well known for his cutthroat dealing with the accused and upright, honest attitude towards his work and the victims who trust him to get them the justice they deserve.

“I… I got divorced. I left the Watson family for good.”

“I know, I have hurt you both by going against your word and I’ve learned my lesson the hard way for not listening to you back then. I’m sorry.”

Emma breathed out as she lowered her eyes, making sure none of the unshed tears made their presence known.

Her tears were her parents’ weakness, and she was not going to earn their forgiveness by it. She was going to work for it and earn it rightfully.

“Unfortunately, you’re 5 years late. Our daughter Emma Wright is long dead for us.”