Chapter 4

EMMA

I didn’t know how long I stood in the kitchen, silent tears streaming down my cheeks, while my loved ones laughed and chatted in the hall, still celebrating my birthday, completely oblivious to the fact that it felt like my world was crumbling around me.

“Emma? There you are!”

My best friend’s voice pierced through the haze.

“Everyone’s been wondering where you disappeared to and…”

Her words trailed off the moment she took in my tear-streaked face. Concern creased her features as she rushed over.

“Emma, what happened? Why are you crying?”

The instant her arms wrapped around me, my quiet tears dissolved into soft, broken sobs.

“Oh, Emma,” Celia croaked, her voice thick with distress on my behalf. “I saw Alex and his fiancée walking out of the kitchen. Did that jerk say something to you?”

“He… he wants nothing to do with me anymore, Celia,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “He thinks I dru…” The word caught in my throat. I couldn’t even say it. “He thinks I’m a horrible person.”

“Em, I can barely hear you,” Celia said gently, brushing my hair back. “You know what? Someone might walk in and see you like this. Let’s go out to the garden.”

Sniffling, I nodded. What would I even say if someone asked? Alex believed everything he’d accused me of, and it would be his word against mine.

We slipped out through the kitchen door into the backyard. Celia guided me to the summerhut and helped me sit before pulling up a chair beside me.

“Now, please, explain everything to me, Emma. You know I can’t stand seeing you like this.”

Trying to compose myself, I wiped at my face and began recounting what had happened in the kitchen; everything Alex had said, everything I’d felt. By the time I finished, Celia was furious, her chest rising and falling.

“That… that jerk!” she spat. “What the actual hell? How could he even believe something like that about you? You, of all people? Yes, okay, sending that text was a mistake, but aside from that? You’re basically an angel!”

Her words made my heart ache even more. I’d known Celia for just seven years, yet she trusted me more than someone who had known me all my life.

The thought triggered a fresh wave of tears. I buried my face in Celia’s neck as I wept.

How could Alex believe I was capable of something like this?

“I didn’t do it. I swear I didn’t do it,” I sobbed.

“You don’t have to swear anything to me, girl. I know you didn’t. That guy’s just a...ugh.” She shook her head, her voice trembling with frustration. “You’ve always treated that bracelet like it’s the most precious thing. Why would you give it away?”

The mention of the bracelet made me lift my head, a thought flashing through my mind.

“The bracelet... I don’t know how it ended up with that waiter, but there must be a way to prove I didn’t give it to him, right? I have to prove to Alex that I’m innocent. Will you help me?”

Without hesitation, Celia replied, “No.”

I blinked, startled. “No?”

“No,” she repeated firmly, a hard glint in her eyes. “And no, you are not going to do anything to prove yourself to that man.”

“But, Celia—” I started, but she cut me off with a sharp wave of her hand.

“No buts, Emma. Why would you waste your energy trying to prove yourself to someone who already despises you?”

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. “No, Alex doesn’t hate me. He’s just… upset and confused. Once I explain everything, he’ll understand. He’ll come back.”

“Forgive me, Em, but right now you sound pathetic,” Celia said, her voice brittle with anger. “He didn’t accuse you of, I don’t know, keying his car or spilling wine on his designer shirt. He accused you of sexually assaulting him. Do you even realize how disgusted by you someone has to be to throw that kind of accusation around?”

She reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. “Look at how easily he assumed the worst of you. That man never truly cared about you, Emma. The sooner you accept that and stop hoping he’ll change, the better.”

Her words hit like a punch to the gut. She was right. Deep down, I’d known it all along. If Alex had really cared, he would’ve at least given me the chance to speak. He hadn’t.

And as the truth settled in, a fresh wave of grief overtook me. I broke into another round of sobs, and Celia simply held me, stroking my back until I couldn’t cry anymore.

“Good. Now wipe your eyes,” she said gently. Not waiting for me to do it myself, she reached into her purse, pulled out a tissue, and dabbed at my cheeks.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“Everyone’s probably wondering where you are by now. We should go back inside.”

I tried to stand, but Celia tugged me right back down.

“You look like a wreck, girl. You can’t go back in there like that. Lucky for you, I brought my purse. Let’s touch up that makeup. You’re going back in looking like the queen you are.”

Despite everything, her words made me smile.

When she finished with my face, we headed back into the house. My parents approached me almost immediately.

“Oh dear, where were you? We were starting to get worried,” my mother said.

I opened my mouth to answer, but my mind went blank. Thankfully, Celia stepped in.

“We were out in the garden, Luisa,” she said with a quick smile. “Just… having some girl talk.”

“Well,” my father chimed in, “the party’s almost over anyway. We just wanted you to say a few closing words, dear.”

I nodded quietly and walked with them to the center of the room. As we moved through my loved ones, I glanced around. There was no sign of Alex or his fiancée.

He’d really left… without giving me a chance to defend myself.

Later, after the guests had gone, Celia insisted on staying over in my room.

And even though I hated being treated like I was made of glass, I couldn’t deny how much I needed her there.

She was the best friend I could have ever wished for.

I didn’t sleep at all. The ache in my chest kept me wide awake. The memory of the disgust in Alex’s eyes haunted me

A month ago, I had received an email from one of the best architectural universities in Europe to further my studies. That email had been sitting cold because I hadn't replied, though the deadline wasn't over.

I hadn't even told my parents or Alex, because I'd known they would convince me to go, which would mean such a long time away from Alex.

I had been willing to give it up if it meant staying close to Alex.

But all for what? Nothing. In the end, he didn't even want me to get close to him anymore.

I continued tossing and turning on the bed. By morning, I had made my decision.

When Celia and I went down for breakfast, the change in my parents’ behavior was instantly noticeable.

Dad wasn’t cracking his usual jokes. Every word he said felt hesitant and cautious. And Mum kept watching me like I might shatter any second.

It didn’t take long to figure it out; they knew.

I had never told them about my feelings for Alex, but somehow, they’d known all along. And now they thought I was heartbroken over his engagement.

If only they knew how much worse it really was.

Still, I had to tell them about the decision I had made. I had to tell them before I lost my nerve.

“Mum, Dad,” I said, clearing my throat. “I have something to tell you.”

They both set their cutlery down, giving me their full attention. I took a deep breath and finally informed them.

“I’ve decided to go to Europe to further my studies.”

If Alex wanted me far away, then fine. That was exactly what I was going to give him.