Chapter 4

Emma POV 

It was Eleanor, Adrian's mother, who had called my name. 

I became nervous. My hands trembled with fear, yet I wanted to act strong so I wouldn't get defeated by these wealthy people. She moved closer from the stairs. “I hope you are good?” She said, looking at me with a curious expression. 

Just then, Richard came out of the room. He stood for a moment in silence and then broke the silence, “For how long have you been here?” He said, his expression hardened.

“I just got here,” I lied, forcing a smile to make it sound convincing.

But inside, I was dying to find out what they were talking about. 

I felt like digging more into the matter at the moment, like I was curious. Nothing else mattered except for the pieces of my broken heart and the apology I was waiting for.

Adrian excused himself, leaving the scene.

 Silence.

I couldn't tell from his expression. He didn't even look at me; was that malice? I thought. He got to a distance and looked back.

“Emma,” he said. 

My mind began to race, waiting for the next word he would say. 

“I called you here to show you something. You can come. He held, I felt like he was dragging me, and I followed him blindly, my heart still beating in confusion. 

He took me to the pool where a party was being arranged. People were on their feet; the smell of expensive cologne filled the air, expensive wine, shiny dresses that made me feel inferior. 

Everything screamed luxury. 

Even Olivia stood in an expensive dress, holding a glass of wine. I stood quietly, still waiting for an explanation. 

“Why did you bring me here?” I finally broke the silence between us. 

“It's my engagement party,” he said.

I was expecting the next word to be my name. “I just want to let you know never to come near my family.” His voice came out cold. 

I was stunned. 

“Your family?” I whispered. “After six years, I'm suddenly a stranger?”

His jaw tightened. “You should have been one from the beginning.”

Olivia stepped forward. “I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out this way.”

“Find out what?” I turned around, only to realize the entire crowd was watching me.

Olivia glanced at Adrian, then gently touched the ring on her finger. “Adrian and I are getting married.”

“Olivia! So you've been dating Adrian behind my back.” My voice broke. The entire space was silent, with everybody's eyes on us. Even Richard and Eleanor stood on the upper stairs looking at us, saying nothing.

“I know six years is a long time. But sometimes people stay together because they're comfortable, not because they're meant to be,” she added.

That word broke me more than I could express. I stood still; at this point I knew Adrian's choice was final. The crowd, the laughter, and Olivia's words in the presence of Adrian while he stood watching me being humiliated told me the Adrian that used to love me is gone

I felt used.. 

I could hear chuckles from the angle of the event. 

Like a drenched chicken under the rain, I stood in my normal, usual clothing. I felt odd. I breathed heavily; my stomach twisted. 

Now I felt like saying a final goodbye to the Blackwoods.

“You should go home, Emma. This can't be easy for you.” Olivia added.

I turned back to the gate. Ready to leave. Walking slowly, I lowered my head to cover my shame. 

I walked through the hallway. The event continued with cheers; I could still hear them as I went. 

My chest ached, and my body felt exhausted. I struggled to keep myself together as I made my way home. Tears blurred my vision.

No noise. Just silence.

I was completely alone.

As I walked down the hallway, a medium-sized framed photograph on the wall caught my eye. I almost walked past it, but something about the face made me stop.

I knew that face.

I turned back and stared at the picture. It was my dad, standing beside Richard, the two of them shaking hands.

I stepped closer.

Beneath the photograph, a small plaque read: Daniel and Richard. 2015.

I stared at the photograph, unable to move.

My father stood beside Daniel Blackwood, both of them smiling like old friends. What my father said began to make sense. I got this deep feeling that there was more to it, but I wasn't sure 

I stared at the photograph, unable to move.

But the date beneath the photograph made my heart pound.

2015.

I swallowed hard.

My father had always told me that everything went wrong with our company because of bad business decisions.

But if that was true, why was he standing beside Richard Blackwood in a photograph taken the same year our family's downfall began? 

I reached for my phone and quietly took a picture of the photograph.

Then I heard footsteps behind me.

I froze. A deep voice came from behind.

“Interesting photograph, isn't it?”

My blood ran cold.

I slowly turned around.

Richard Blackwood was standing directly behind me. And he was staring at my phone.