Sandra called

Soon, Emily reached home with her small bag. When she got to the door, she took a deep breath and brightened her face to hide the pain sitting heavily in her chest before pushing the door.

She knew her father well. If she complained about Desmond, he would shout at her, blame her, and tell her to go back and apologize. He treated Desmond like a gift from heaven. So she kept her face neutral, like everything was alright.

Her father was watching evening news when she stepped in. He looked up from the chair and was surprised to see her. He wasn't expecting her arrival.

“Emily? I thought you said you’d come back tomorrow morning. What happened?”

She forced a smile and replied, “Nothing. The party went well. It was done earlier than I thought. So I just decided to come home.”

“Alright then. I hope you have my own share of the cake."

"Ohh! Cake!" Emily said, thinking of what to tell him. "He…he…he invited lots of friends. So the cake finished quickly. It wasn't even enough."

"It's okay. I hope you enjoyed it though." The dad asked.

Emily wished she could tell him what happened. That she got the worst embarrassment of her life. But if she tells him, he would definitely blame her. So she decided to keep it to herself.

“I enjoyed it." She replied and walked straight to her room before he asked more questions.

The moment she closed the door behind her, her fake smile disappeared. She dropped her bag on the bed and collapsed on the bed. She was still trying to breathe normally when her phone vibrated.

She checked, and it was a message from her best friend, Sandra. "Send the birthday videos."

Emily stared at the text and shook her head before texting back. "No video."

Not even ten seconds passed before her phone began to ring. Emily sighed and picked it.

Sandra didn’t even greet her and went on to ask, “What do you mean by no video? Are you joking? Why didn't you take a video?”

"I’m not joking.” Emijy replied. "There was nothing to record."

“What happened?” Sandra asked.

“Desmond humiliated me." She replied. "He celebrated his childhood friend instead. I'm so heartbroken. I arrived at the party ground only to see them singing happy birthday to her. Can you believe that my name wasn’t even on the cake?"

Sandra gasped loudly. “Wait. What? He did what?”

"I was just standing there like a stranger. And then...” She rubbed her forehead and tried not to cry again.

“And then they kissed. In front of everyone. He even gifted her the bracelet he promised to give me. Honestly, he never planned to celebrate me.”

“Emily… Are you serious? He did all these?”

“Yes.” Emily replied. “I felt stupid. I was so embarrassed. Everyone was looking at me like I was interrupting them.”

“God! Emily, this is unbelievable. How can he do that to you?”

"I told him I was leaving, and he kept telling me not to take it to heart, that I could celebrate together with his childhood friend. He was talking to me as if I were nothing. And... this is not the first or the second time he is doing something similar to this. He always treats me like I'm his pet. Out of anger, I pulled the engagement ring off, threw it at him, and left the hall. I don’t think I can continue the relationship.” Emily finished, and Sandra sighed. "You’re hurt. I understand how you feel. But don’t make decisions in one night. Your head is hot right now.”

“I’m heartbroken, Sandra,” Emily whispered amidst tears. “I feel like I’m not even human to him. Like I’m just something he uses when he wants. He doesn't value me. He always treats me like he owns me.”

She wiped her tears and mumbled something she couldn't hear. She couldn't control her pains anymore and burst into cries.

"Emmy, please stop. Don’t cry tonight, please. Relax your mind." She tried to calm her down. "Listen… Next week is Christmas. I’ll come and take you. We will stay together in my father's mansion for the holidays. You need a break.”

Emily wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “Christmas holidays in your house? I don’t think your dad will allow that.”

“He will. I will talk to him. I’m not letting you stay in that house alone, thinking nonsense.” Sandra said, and a small tired smile appeared on Emily’s lips. “Are you sure?”

“He can do anything for me. So start packing your things. I’m coming for you.” She said with all assurance.

"Alright. Thank you very much. I really need to be away from all this. Maybe staying with you will help me forget.” Emily said.

“It will,” Sandra replied. “And even if it doesn’t immediately, at least you won’t be crying alone.”

Emily smiled at Sandra's words. She felt a bit of comfort knowing she wasn’t completely alone.

"I will talk to my dad and start arranging my stuff. Please come quickly." She said.

Knowing that her best friend would be coming to take her was enough to help her sleep that night.