03 She Comes Home with Him

After the visiting hours had ended, Emily found herself needing to leave Victor's hospital room. The angry call from her mother Helen that morning was still fresh in her mind. Perhaps it was time for her to go home and explain why she had decided to get a divorce.

Despite the fact that Helen had never taken on the responsibilities of a mother as Emily grew up, she had provided Emily with the opportunity to secure Victor's first medical payment from Issac when Emily needed money the most. As the one who reminded Emily at the critical moment of Victor's life-threatening situation, suggesting that she could exchange marriage for money to pay medical bills, Emily felt that Helen deserved to know the truth about the divorce.

As she opened the front door, Emily was greeted by the sight of Issac standing in the middle of the living room.

Dressed in a crisp suit, a confident smile spread across his handsome face as if he had already secured his victory. Emily's heart sank; she didn't want to see him at this moment.

Issac stepped forward, his arms open as if to embrace her.

Emily took a step back, avoiding his embrace. "What are you doing here, Issac?"

Issac's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I've come to take you home, Emily. Don't you want to come home with me?"

Confused as to where this idea of “going home with him” was coming from, Emily's thoughts were interrupted by Cici rolling over in her wheelchair. "Issac, did you come to see me? You spent all of last night with me, you should get some rest today."

Emily scoffed, "So you're here to see Cici. Issac, you don't have to pretend this has anything to do with me."

Emily spread her arms and headed straight for Helen's room.

"Emily, wait, actually..."

"Issac, don't leave me alone here. You know I can't stand to be by myself."

Issac tried to follow, but Cici held him back. Emily shot a glance before quickly walking away from the two people she found so repugnant.

Inside Helen's room hung a lavish crystal chandelier, its cold light reflecting off her carefully applied makeup. Helen was painting her face with a thick layer of foundation, her eyeliner sharp and deep, her red lips tightly pursed, giving her a harsh and cold appearance.

There was not a trace of warmth in her eyes, only the desire for power and status. Upon seeing Emily standing in the doorway, her previously gentle expression promptly shifted to one of impatience. "What are you doing here?"

"Mother, I came to explain to you that I can't stay in this marriage with Issac anymore. I will get a divorce lawyer as soon as possible, and I'm sorry."

Helen let out a cold laugh. "Do you still remember two years ago, when your dear Foster Family Brother fell into a coma, how you knelt in front of me, pleading desperately for me to lend you money to save him?"

"Mother, I've been married to Issac for two years now. He doesn't care about me at all. After we divorce, he can marry Cici. This doesn't make any difference to you."

Helen abruptly rose from her seat and walked over to Emily. She jabbed her finger into Emily's shoulder, raising her voice several degrees. "Emily Jones! Are you an idiot? Cici can't bear Issac's heir for the Lloyd family! Only by giving birth to an heir can one inherit the Lloyd family's fortune!" Helen's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Money is the only thing that matters to me."

"Mother, I can't live just for money and status. I need freedom, respect, and love." Despair and helplessness filled Emily's voice.

Helen laughed coldly and turned back to her dressing table, resuming her hair arranging as if the argument had never happened.

"You really are a foolish child. You think the world outside will treat you better? Don't be deluded. You better remember your place. You're a tool, a tool used for bargaining benefits." Helen's words were cold and cruel; there was not a trace of maternal love in her eyes. "If not for Cici's paralysis and inability to have children, I certainly wouldn't have encouraged a fool like you to marry into the Lloyd family."

"Mother, I've made up my mind. No matter what, I must get a divorce. I can't continue living like this."

Helen's face showed a mix of anger and disdain, her eyes as sharp as ice blades. "You dare to defy me?! I tell you, I will absolutely not agree to your divorce!" Her voice echoed through the room, full of threat and authority.

Emily felt a wave of impatience. "Sorry, Helen, I just came here to inform you of my decision. Whether you agree or not, I am leaving Issac. Victor's medical bills were paid by Issac, and you never raised me, so you have no right to order me."

"You..." Helen's crimson nails pointed at Emily's nose, "You..."

"Goodbye, Helen."

Emily strode out, Cici somehow appeared out of nowhere blocking her path. "Hi, big sister, can you give me your car? I noticed that you arrived today in a car I've never seen before."

"What? My car?" Emily never thought Cici would make such a request. If it were normal times, maybe she wouldn't mind. Issac would provide everything Cici wanted. But now, she was preparing to divorce Issac, and she needed to drive this car to find a job, to earn Victor's astronomical medical bills.

"Sorry, I can't give it to you. Maybe you can ask Issac for a better car?"

"You can leave that car to Cici." Issac came over and put his hand on Emily's shoulder, a move she was all too familiar with. This was him telling her to keep silent in front of others so that he could express his opinion.

But Emily wasn't going to compromise with Issac this time. "Really? Issac, I need that car."

Issac gave her a gentle smile. "Don't worry, dear. I want you to leave the car to Cici because I want you to drive our newly bought Ferrari."

Cici interrupted in surprise, "What?"

"Yes, Cici, I want to give the newly bought Ferrari to Emily."

"But..." Emily didn't understand what was happening. That Ferrari was what Issac had won from an intensely competitive auction a few days ago. He had always treasured this car.How could he just give it to her so easily?

"So..." Issac's hand on Emily's shoulder slowly slid to her waist. "Emily, come home with me, and I'll take you to pick up the car."

Emily looked into Issac's blue eyes. She rarely saw her own reflection in those eyes. But today, only her reflection could be seen in those eyes.How could she say no to such eyes—and a Ferrari worth a million dollars?

"Okay, I'll go with you to pick up the car."

Issac clapped his hands in satisfaction. "Let's go! Home!"

Returning home with Issac, Emily's emotions were in turmoil. She knew that Issac always had a way of influencing her decisions with his wealth and charm. But this time, she told herself, she had to stand firm.

Upon entering the house, Issac immediately began to rummage through his pockets in a feigned panic. "Emily, it seems I can't find the car keys. Can you help me look for them upstairs in our bedroom? I might have accidentally left them there."

Emily hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed.

She followed Issac upstairs and into the bedroom they once shared.

Issac gently embraced Emily from behind, his breath warm and somewhat coarse, his masculine scent causing her to feel slightly dazed. "Emily, I know we have many issues, but I don't want a divorce. Shall we start over?"

Issac lightly stroked Emily's hair, then pulled her tightly into his arms. She felt his arms wrap around her waist, enveloping her in his embrace. This embrace, familiar yet strange, brought a sense of unutterable comfort to her heart. His broad, solid chest radiated a distinctly male scent that caused her to lose herself in this moment of tranquility.

Issac's cheek rested against Emily's forehead, his soft exhales gently stirring her hair, sending a wave of warmth through her. His breath echoed lightly in her ear, each exhale bringing a sense of comfort, quickening her heartbeat.

The atmosphere in the room was charged with an ambiguous tension, the melody of a jazz tune slowly floating in the air, as if narrating emotions between them that had never been confessed. These emotions had quietly grown through their interactions and now burst forth in this special moment.

A vibrant rose quietly bloomed on the bedside table, its petals glowing with a seductive sheen under the light. The scent of the flower and aroma candle intertwined in the air, creating an intoxicating fragrance.

This room, this embrace, this moment, all brought Emily a wave of emotional impact like never before. She knew this man, the man who had once caused her to fall into an abyss, was using everything he had to try and draw her back into his arms.

Emily was on the verge of being consumed by this warmth, her body involuntarily relaxing. But just then, Issac's phone rang—it was a call from Cici.