Chapter 4

The air was thick with the scent of blood.

Emma curled her fingers slowly and held her breath by instinct.

Her heart beat like a drum, and each second seemed as long as a lifetime to her.

In the end, she heard James's deep and firm voice say, "Get the lady in the passenger seat out first. I will take responsibility for it."

With a bang, something deep inside Emma shattered.

Emma woke up in the hospital, and the smell of disinfectant attacked her nostrils.

"Awake? Want some water?"

Emma turned her head for the questions and saw James in the same suit from last night. James looked tired and had bloodshot eyes as if he had been up all night.

He turned around, handed Emma a glass of water, and tried to help her sit up.

She turned her head away and refused his help.

"Last night, I was shocked. The lights in the car were broken, so I failed to see your wounded forehead. I have arranged severe punishment for Sophia, and the car accident is too mild for her sin," James patiently explained.

Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry that I failed to protect you, Emma."

"James," Emma said hoarsely. "Do you remember that car accident in my junior year?"

Back then, James, with no regard for his own safety, had thrown himself on Emma.

This time, he protected Sophia instead of Emma.

James froze on the spot.

After what seemed like an eternity, Emma heard James say in a husky voice, "Emma, it was just an act."

'Just an act...' Emma thought with a bitter smile. 'I should have seen that at once.'

Right then, a nurse knocked on the door and stepped into the ward. "Mr. Palmer, Miss Curtis is awake. To see you, she is making a scene."

James instinctively looked at Emma.

"Go. I don't mind," Emma said, her voice steady.

James was pleased with Emma's thoughtfulness and quickly stood up. "Sophia's a bit timid. I'll go check on her now. I will be back soon."

Emma nodded and expressionlessly watched James stride out of the ward.

For three days in a row, James didn't show up in Emma's ward.

On the fourth day, Emma left the hospital on her own. That very day, James didn't go home till it was late at night.

"Why are you still up? As a patient, you need a good rest." James took off his coat as he walked into the bedroom. "Where is Marcus? Haven't seen him for days. I will go check on him."

Emma looked James straight in the eye. "He's in Virginia Parker's place. He will be back in two days."

Virginia was Emma's close friend, and James had met her a few times.

"Tell Virginia to take good care of him. Let's buy her dinner later." James bought the story and then disappeared into the bathroom.

Emma curled her lips as her heart ached again.

The new semester had begun, and Emma had told James last month that Virginia was abroad for her further education.

James would have caught the lie if he cared about his family. What a pity that he didn't!

Early the next morning, James suddenly asked Emma out. "You have had a rough time lately. Sophia feels sorry about the car accident. The stuff I had booked for you arrived. Sophia will go shopping with you, so let's put this episode behind us."

Emma didn't even look up. "I'm not going."

James wouldn't take no for an answer. He picked Emma up and carried her to the car. "Come on, some fresh air will do you good."

Emma pursed her lips, glanced at James, and kept silent.

James had booked a dancing dress for Emma. It had cost the foreign designer two months to make the dress.

The silver dress shone under the light, and its fishtail skirt was adorned with good pearls. No woman could say no to such a pretty dress.

Sophia's eyes went wide with fascination. "How beautiful!"

Sophia discreetly placed her hand on the lace of the dress, and her eyes were full of jealousy. "This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. Whoever dances in this dress must look pretty..."

James, sitting beside Emma, suggested, "Emma, why don't you give this dress to Sophia since she loves it? You don't need it anyway."

Emma stared at her left leg and said nothing.

James turned his head and was shocked by Emma's sadness. Then, he leaned over and whispered to Emma's ear, "Just an act. I will buy you as many dresses as you want."

Unhappy, Emma gave a nod.

Sophia, beaming with excitement, was led away to try on the new dress.

Soon, she reappeared in the new dress. Her face was red when she stood before James. Coy, she didn't know where to place her hands. "James, what do you think?"

"You look gorgeous." James' eyes flashed with surprise and infatuation.

Right then, James's phone rang. James pointed to his phone and then walked out of the shop to answer the call.

Sophia gathered up her skirt and sat beside Emma. "Emma, I am wearing your dress. Are you mad at me?"

"Not at all," Emma said coolly.

Emma's calmness displeased Sophia. With a flash of viciousness in her eyes, Sophia leaned over to Emma and said under her breath, "Your son died. Are you mad?

"You know what, I heard your cries over the phone that night, but James was too absorbed in my dance to notice them.

"That night when your son died, James spent the night at my place for the first time. Throughout the night, he didn't give me a break. He even said that he couldn't live without..."