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Chapter 2

Author: Sugar Cake
Emma spaced out and got on the elevator. The next thing she knew, she was already on the basement level.

An eager intern came right up to her. "You're here for Ms. Payne's exhibition, right? Right this way."

It finally hit Emma that she had forgotten to press the button for her floor. Without even thinking, she wandered into the exhibition hall.

The intern trailed behind her, enthusiastically saying, "Mr. Coleman sponsored the exhibition, and it'll soon kick off a nationwide tour."

Emma found herself staring at a painting of a shirtless man from behind. His toned physique might be captivating, but what really grabbed her attention was the distinctive scar right above his waist.

She had traced the outline of the scar countless times in the dark. Of course, she knew exactly who the man in the painting was.

Sandra had made portrait after portrait of Wesley. The dates in the corner were clear as day and hard to look at.

In the painting dated June 20th, Wesley was in the kitchen, his back outlined by a warm glow. That was Emma's third day locked up. She had been in so much pain from hunger that she had blacked out, while he had been in the kitchen making oatmeal for Sandra.

The bottom of another painting read July 1st. A pair of hands with prominent knuckles folded a silk nightgown embroidered with irises. A wedding ring glinted coldly on the ring finger.

That marked the 13th day Emma had been locked away in her room. She had slit her wrists in protest, her blood soaking half the sheets. Meanwhile, he was meticulously putting away Sandra's clothes.

The painting dated July 15th showed him walking under the trees with an umbrella. At the very edge of the painting, his fingers were vaguely intertwined with someone else's.

Emma was locked up for 28 days. Adam had resorted to chaining her to the bed, desperate to make her give in. Burning up with fever, she had curled into a ball on sweat-soaked sheets.

On the other hand, Wesley had been out for a morning walk with Sandra, swinging Sandra's hand in his.

Each painting was like a knife to Emma's chest.

For the whole time Emma was in hell, Wesley wasn't even fighting for her. He was just with Sandra.

Wesley had smashed the cup in front of Adam to declare his love for Emma. He had even canceled the contract with Payne Group. But everything was merely a lie to hide the truth.

Emma clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, but she felt nothing. She couldn't take it anymore and walked right out of the exhibition.

…

Emma scheduled her abortion for the following week. After that, she headed over to the Payne residence to pick up the things left behind by Helena Meyer, her mom.

But as soon as she got home, Adam tossed a plane ticket to her. "I talked to Jamie. We want Sandra to stay with Wesley until her final moment. I've got you a flight leaving in ten days. Why don't you go for a trip and clear your head?"

Emma pursed her lips as she clutched the ticket. She knew exactly that Adam wanted to kick her out, so Wesley and Sandra could have the place to themselves.

After all, she was the only one who had to disappear, so they could be alone without holding back.

Jamie's eyes were red as she repeated the same old excuse Emma was already tired of hearing. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Em. We just want Sandra to finish her last journey in peace."

Emma calmly cut in. "Got it. I'll leave."

She had given up on Wesley and her family entirely.

Adam was surprised that Emma agreed so readily. He took it as a sign that her spirit had been crushed at last.

He softened his tone. "Sandra's farewell gathering is in three days. We expect you to be there."

"Got it," Emma replied.

Back at her place, she pulled out a cardboard box and started packing up everything that reminded her of Wesley.

She added the pair of mugs he had given her on her birthday, the ticket stubs from their first movie date, and those silly photo booth pictures she made him take.

Emma was almost done packing when she heard the front door open.

Wesley was back. His heart sank when he saw the box stuffed with all their things. He quickly moved closer and asked, "What are you doing, Em?"
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  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 24

    Time flew by in the blink of an eye.Another Vernal Celebration arrived. As usual, Emma went to the church on the outskirts of the city to pray for blessings on behalf of the children at the orphanage.The mountain air in early spring still carried a lingering chill. Wrapping her cashmere shawl more tightly around herself, Emma knelt on a prayer mat and bowed devoutly.Thin smoke rose from the incense burner, filling the main hall. The faint fragrance of the incense soothed her heart.Afterward, she walked to the ancient, towering tree on the church grounds and tied a ribbon to its branches.Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a gray-robed abbot sweeping fallen leaves nearby. The sight of that familiar figure made her breath catch.It was Wesley.The once arrogant, untouchable scion of the Coleman family was now gaunt, his cheekbones sharply defined. The pride and malice in his eyes were gone. In their place was a kind of almost transparent calm."That's Reverend Silas," a young pries

  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 23

    Half a year later, Zachary held a grand wedding for Emma.The most luxurious manor in Plefvine was blanketed in white roses, with sunlight flowing across the champagne tower like liquid gold.In the dressing room, Emma stood before the floor-length mirror. The reflection of herself in a pristine white gown felt like something from another lifetime.Half a year ago, after her medical exam, she had sat in the hospital corridor for a full hour.During that hour, countless thoughts had run through her mind.For instance, she thought about how the Hamilton family needed an heir, but she couldn't give them one. She also wondered if her relationship with Zachary wasn't deep enough yet. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to cut ties while she still could.It wasn't until her phone rang that she snapped out of it. It was a call from Zachary."Where are you now?" His steady voice came through the receiver."I… I'm out shopping."He didn't seem to notice anything unusual. His tone was casual. "

  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 22

    After Emma and Zachary confirmed their relationship, life remained outwardly calm and steady.But deep in her heart, she carried a secret she could not share.Back then, when Wesley had caused her miscarriage, the doctor said the hemorrhage had severely damaged her uterus. It would be extremely difficult for her to conceive again.Though Zachary had told her repeatedly that he didn't care whether they had children, Emma knew better. As the sole heir of the Hamilton Group, even if he was fine with it, the Hamilton family would not be.That knowledge sat in her heart like a thorn, constantly pricking at her.One day, she went to the hospital for another checkup.The doctor glanced at her report and shook his head helplessly. "At present, there isn't any effective treatment. I suggest you don't obsess over this."Clutching the report, Emma walked out of the consultation room. The paper in her hand was light as a feather, yet it felt heavier than lead.Just then, she thought she he

  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 21

    On the day Emma won her award, the first snow began to fall outside the window.She stood quietly before the glass, watching the snowflakes drift down. Suddenly, Zachary appeared behind her without a sound. He draped a cashmere coat over her shoulders."I reserved a table at the revolving restaurant. We're having a celebration tonight."When they arrived at the restaurant, the waiter led them to a private dining room with panoramic windows on three sides, where the glittering nightscape of the city stretched beneath them. In the center, the table was laid with a crimson velvet cloth, adorned with crystal candelabras and fresh roses.Zachary raised his glass, clinking hers lightly. Then, as if conjured from nowhere, he set before her a bundle of letters tied with a faded red string."It's a surprise I prepared for you. Open it."Emma loosened the knot. The fountain pen strokes on the envelopes were blurred with age, but the small "Mae" in the corner made her breath hitch."Th

  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 20

    The wail of the ambulance siren faded into the distance.Rain lashed against Emma's pale face, mixing with her tears. She stood on the cold concrete outside the villa, her fingertips still stained with the sticky memory of Wesley's blood.A blinding beam of headlights cut through the downpour, and a black Maybach screeched to a halt before her.Zachary leaped out, not even bothering with an umbrella. He swept her into his arms, wrapping her tightly in his trench coat."Emma." His embrace was fierce. "Don't be afraid. I'll take you home."With her face pressed into his shoulder, the familiar scent of cedar filled her lungs.The hold was almost too tight, causing her ribs to ache faintly. But strangely enough, it was this very pressure that stilled her trembling.Inside the car, the heater blasted warmth. Zachary wrapped her layer upon layer in a blanket before he finally spoke."These past weeks, I've contacted Lux Corporation, Harmonia Group, and other major corporations. With

  • The Storm Begins with a Whisper   Chapter 19

    Time crawled by under Wesley's deliberate attempts at pleasing her.He ordered people to scour the world for treasures—antiques from auction houses, custom-made gowns, and the like—to be delivered to Emma in an endless stream.But now, no matter how extravagant the gift, they failed to stir the faintest ripple in her heart.She always sat alone in the garden with a laptop resting on her knees. Her fingers tapped steadily on the keyboard.At first, Wesley assumed it was merely her way of passing the time, until one afternoon when Skyler handed him a tablet."Mr. Coleman, you should take a look at this."Skyler's expression was conflicted, as though he were at a loss for words.Wesley glanced at the screen, and his face immediately darkened.It was Emma's serialized novel.After reading just a few lines, he understood—the female lead's experiences mirrored her own, down to the last detail.So, this was what she had been doing all this time—turning her scars into words, the crue

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