All Chapters of The Calm After the Storm: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Both my childhood friend and my older brother fell for the new student in class, the impoverished Anna Jones.My childhood sweetheart, Walter, called off our engagement, saying, "I can't stand a spoiled heiress like Emma."My brother seemed to have forgotten what our mom had asked of him on her deathbed. "Anna's had a tough time. It's only fair to give her half of the love I have for you, right?"On my birthday, Walter chose to spend time with Anna instead.On the day he was supposed to be remembering our mom's passing, my brother was having a great time with Anna and her mom instead.When they went with Anna to Nexus City to receive her impressive design award, I burned down the house that held all our memories.I pretended to be dead and left the city.When the news of my 'death' reached Nexus City, the two guys whom I thought were tired of me hurried back home in the middle of the night.They stood in front of the house that was now ashes, unable to hold back their tears.…

Anna pulled away from him."Ms. Lawson, don't be hard on our senior."It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come and bothered you..."She spoke, and tears started to fall from her eyes. "I'll go now.""Anna, I told you I'd take care of everything."Walter felt a pang of heartache.He gently wiped away Anna's tears and then turned to look at me.Any trace of pity in his eyes had disappeared and was replaced by disdain."Emma, can you please stop bothering us?"I cut him off, "Fine. We can break off the engagement, but I want my things back."Walter looked puzzled. "What things?"I reached up and untied the red string that was around my neck.Hanging from it was a jade pendant.It was a family treasure Walter's mom had given me when our engagement was arranged.My mom had given him something even more precious.It was an item that had once belonged to a royal palace, blessed by a respected religious figure from ancient times."Here's your pendant back. Now, return my bracel

It was the day we were supposed to remember Mom's passing.I waited and waited.Dad had someone bring over fresh flowers.However, there was no sign of Matthias.After three unanswered calls, the fourth was finally picked up.It was Anna's mom on the line. "Emma, is that you? Are you looking for Matthias?""Today is my mom's death anniversary.""Oh dear! It's your mom's deathday? We're so forgetful. I'm so sorry."Our puppy just had babies today, and Matthias and Anna were so excited that they forgot all about today..."It's too late to come over now. What should we do?""Mrs. Jones, who are you talking to?""It's Emma. She sounds upset. What should we do, Matthias?""Hey, Emma?" I heard Matthias's voice.I hung up right away and blocked his number.Mom's smiling face looked down at me from the black and white photo on her gravestone.Her smile was full of love and kindness.April had rolled around again.I sat there on the ground, feeling like I was at the bottom of a

"She's got nothing to do with our family’s past rivalries.”Anna was crying, her face in her hands. Walter stepped up and wrapped his arms around her. "Emma, that's enough!" he said. "It's just a silly old necklace. Let her have it." He yanked off the necklace and threw it down hard. "Come on. I'll buy you a new one that’s way nicer and more expensive." Matthias looked at me and let out a heavy sigh. "Emma, why do you always have to be like this and cause such a fuss? "Anna's already having a tough time, yet you just can't seem to let her be. "Can't you try to be a little nicer? You should be more ladylike.”"Emma, you've won plenty of design competitions before. You'll have other chances to win big."Anna really needs this win. It'll help her make a name for herself so the Reagle family accepts her." He reached out to help me up. "Emma..." "Go away!" I pushed his hand off and started to laugh. "Brother." That was the last time I would ever call Matthias that and t

Anna was downstairs in a fancy dress, waiting to go up and get her award.Right then, Walter's phone started ringing.Annoyed, he pulled it out to turn it off.However, he saw a message pop up.[Walter, call back quickly. Something's wrong with Emma.]Walter just laughed.Thinking about what Emma had sent him earlier, he felt even more annoyed with her.He answered without much interest: [What's she up to now?]Anna was just about to step on stage to get her award.He did not have the energy or the time to deal with Emma right now.Whatever she was planning was probably just to ruin Anna's big moment.His friend's call came in quickly.Walter declined, annoyed.Anna glanced over, a bit worried. "Walter, I'm feeling nervous."Walter took her hand. "Just relax. I'll be right here with you."They called Anna's name on stage.Walter stooped to lift her dress's hem.The spotlight hit her.Right now, she was the star of the show.Anna breathed in deeply, smiled, and walked