Chapter 6
After shopping, it was already evening.
Marcus checked the time and asked what she wanted to eat.[]
Emma had little appetite, so he made a reservation at a Sweetgreen restaurant.[]
“Vivian just texted that she’s getting her nails done nearby,” he mentioned casually. “I invited her to join us for dinner.“[]
Such a large city, yet they happened to meet here.[]
Whether it was coincidence or planned, Emma didn’t know and didn’t care to find out anymore.]
She murmured agreement, feeling tired, and went ahead into the private room to rest.
Ten minutes later, Marcus arrived with Vivian.[]
Vivian approached with a bright smile. “Emma, I told Marcus to take you on a date. How did he do today?”
Only then did Emma realize that even Marcus’s unusual initiative today was because of Vivian’s request.
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Three years of marriage, including the rare moments of companionship–she had been borrowing it all from Vivian.[]
She suddenly found it darkly amusing and lowered her head to hide the complex emotions in her eyes.
She ate this meal mechanically, maintaining complete silence.[]
Though Vivian chatted animatedly with Marcus, she noticed Emma’s dejection.[]
So after dinner, she took Emma for a spa treatment and tried to cheer her up.
“Emma, is it because Marcus didn’t make you happy on your date? Or you didn’t like the gifts he chose? Don’t let his serious businessman vibe fool you–he’s always been completely clueless around women.‘
n.“[]
“Let me tell you about this one time when we were kids. I mentioned wanting a Black Forest cake, and he learned to make one for me. When I was practicing piano, two female classmates who had crushes on him came over. They tried flirting and hinted they wanted some cake too, but he flat–out refused to give them even a crumb! He was like, ‘What I make is only for Vivian.‘ The family teased him for years about it. Isn’t he clueless?“]
She laughed heartily as she spoke.]
Emma watched her silently, wanting to laugh but unable to.
Only those who know they’re cherished can be so secure, right?||
Feeling bitter, and not wanting Vivian to notice, she excused herself to the restroom.
When she came out, chaos had erupted. People were pushing toward the exit, screaming.[]
Thick smoke drifted from the corridor, making Emina cough uncontrollably.[]
Hearing cries of “Fire!” from all directions, her first thought was that Vivian was still inside.[]
So despite knowing the danger, she pushed against the flow of people.[]
Just as she reached the door of their private room, she saw Marcus holding Vivian protectively, heading out.]
Vivian clung to him, her anxious voice carrying through the crowd
“Marcus, Emma’s still in the restroom! She doesn’t know there’s a fire. Go save her first–I can get out on my own!“]
“Forget about her. Come with me first.“[]
Marcus’s voice was calm and firm, but Vivian stubbornly tried to push him away.[]
“I’ll be fine! Go save Emina–he’s your wife. What if something happens to her today?“[]
“Vivian, listen to me,” he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I don’t give a damn what happens to her. I only want you safe! If she makes it out on her own, good for her. If not, that’s not on us! I only care about you. Nothing else matters!“]
Chapter 6
Each word was like a blade piercing Emma’s heart.[]
She bit her lip hard, tasting blood, the pain making it difficult to breathe.]
Marcus escorted Vivian away as the crowd grew more frantic, suddenly knocking Emma down.[]
She fell to the ground, people trampling her, leaving bruises all over her body.[]
Excruciating pain shot through her limbs, making her body shake and cold sweat pour down.[]
The fire grew fiercer, gradually reaching Emma’s feet.
The smoke made her eyes water. Fighting through the pain, she crawled up and inched along the wall toward the exit.[]
When she finally stumbled out, disheveled and hurt, she saw Marcus kneeling on the ground, massaging Vivian’s leg.[`
Looking at this scene, grief slowly welled up in her tear–filled eyes.[]
She looked down at the mottled bruises on her body, gave a self–mocking smile, and silently turned to leave.[]
Chapter 7
