Chapter 5

I looked at my dad, and all the feelings of being wronged that I'd been bottling up suddenly burst out. My eyes welled up with tears.

Even though we didn't have much money, my parents got along really well.

Before my mom's health got worse, she was always at home.

My dad cooked every day, and while he was busy in the kitchen, I'd sprawl out by my mom's bedside, and she'd help me with my homework.

She'd explain things to me gently, but because she wasn't in great shape, she'd always run out of energy before we finished.

Whenever that happened, my dad would bring dinner over and tell me to eat first, and after I was done, he'd pick up where Mom left off and help me finish my homework.

I talked to my dad more than anyone else, and he knew me better than anyone.

"Dad..." I said, my eyes starting to water.

My eyes were red as I said, "You're not feeling well, and I really didn't want to trouble you with all this."

Seeing that I was about to cry, Dad quickly grabbed a tissue and handed it to me, trying to comfort me.

"Emily, just take your time and talk to me. Don't cry," he said softly.

I forced back my tears and looked at him.

"Dad, I can't stay here for long, so I'll make this quick.

"William's changed. He's not the same person he used to be. I want to break up with him, but he won't let me.

"Three days from now, he's getting engaged to someone else. That's when I plan to take you away from here.

"Dad, I know this is all sudden, but you have to stay calm. Don't tell anyone about my plan to take you away."

William was dead set on not breaking up with me. He even tried using my dad against me, but there was no way I was letting him make me marry him.

It was already that hard to leave before we were even married. If I actually got forced to marry him, it would be even harder to escape.

I might even have to choke down the sight of William and Lily all over each other, like swallowing something disgusting.

So, after thinking it through, I believed that the engagement party was the perfect chance for me to take Dad and get out of here.

All that I said was just too much at once. Dad looked overwhelmed, struggling to process it all.

He stayed quiet for a long moment before finally speaking, with a hint of guilt in his voice.

"Did I mess things up between you and William?" he asked.

Dad knew how good William had always been to me, after all those years.

He always thought I'd be happy with William, never in a million years expecting things to turn out like this.

He instinctively thought he was holding me back, feeling really guilty about it.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Dad, this isn't on you.

"If a relationship falls apart, it just means it wasn't meant to last anyway.

"So please, don't overthink it. Just relax and wait for me to come get you, alright?"

All these years, I did everything I could to win William's parents' approval.

William saw it all, but his heart was just not with me anymore. He only had eyes for Lily.

He was the one who crossed the line, not Dad. This was all on him, and it had nothing to do with my father.

Dad sighed deeply, his eyes full of concern as he looked at me.

"Emily, since you've made up your mind, I'm with you all the way.

"Go do what you need to do. Don't worry about me. I'll be right here, waiting for you to come get me."

I nodded firmly, keeping an eye on the time. Not wanting the bodyguards to notice anything strange, I stood up and quietly slipped out of the ward.

When the bodyguard drove me back to the villa, William showed up at the same time, with Lily in tow.

William offered the peeled apple to Lily, then turned to me and asked, "So, what did you talk about with your dad at the hospital today?"

I ignored him, poured myself a glass of water, and with the glass in hand, started up the stairs.

"Emily!" William called out again. At the same time, the maid, looking uncomfortable, moved to block my path, stopping me from going upstairs.

I stopped in my tracks, turned my head to look at him, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Me talking to my dad has nothing to do with you. You're just an outsider," I snapped.

William's face instantly went cold. Lily saw his reaction and immediately jumped in to call me out.

"Emily, how could you talk to William that way?

"You're living under William's roof, spending his money. Who do you think you are, talking to him like that?"

She came at me strong, so I gave it right back to her.

I said, "Oh, sure, I don't have the right to say anything. You're the one who stole the spotlight by playing the homewrecker, his precious little darling, the only one he ever cares about."

Lily had never been called out like that to her face before. Her eyes welled up, on the verge of tears.

"William, look at her..." she said, her voice shaky.

She grabbed William's arm, looking all pitiful, like she was the one being bullied.

William glared at me, his eyes blazing with anger.

"That's enough, Emily. Watch your mouth," he snapped. "Apologize to Lily. Now."

Lily clung to his side, shooting me a defiant, challenging look.

I scoffed. "Why should I apologize? Tell me, what did I say that wasn't true?

"Isn't Lily just the mistress who clawed her way to the top?"

Why should I apologize to the other woman?

Lily bit her lip, humiliated, tears spilling down her cheeks as she clutched her chest, her face turning ghostly pale.

"William, I was framed. I swear, I never wanted to ruin things between you two..." she cried, her voice trembling.

She looked like she was about to faint right then and there, and William, flustered, rushed to catch her before she hit the floor.

"Lily, your health isn't good. Please, don't get worked up. I promise, I'll make Emily apologize to you," he said, his tone urgent and protective.

As he spoke, he looked up at me, his gaze intense and serious.

"Emily, if you don't apologize today, I'll spread the word and make sure not a single one of your paintings ever sells again," he threatened.

Seeing that look in his eyes, even though I'd already made up my mind to leave him, it still hit me right in the feels.

When I got to college, things finally calmed down a bit, and I finally worked up the nerve to try oil painting. But I didn't have any real skills, so I just painted in secret, too embarrassed to let anyone see.

One time, William caught me at it. I was about to hide my painting, all awkward and shy, but he grabbed it and wouldn't shut up about how talented I was, saying I had something special.

He even found me a legit oil painting teacher, and he was always saying I'd be a big name in the art world someday.

But at that moment, he was the one who ruined my reputation on social media, turning me into a target for public ridicule and abuse.

And then he was threatening to make sure no one ever buys my paintings again, determined to end my career once and for all.

It's funny that being loved and not being loved can make my whole world feel so different.

I gripped my cup, and managed a bitter smile. "Whatever. Suit yourself."

Back when he loved me, he said he'd make sure my dad got the best care, and that he'd help me become a well-known artist.

When he didn't care anymore, he broke every promise he ever made and tried to destroy everything he once gave me. Honestly, what can I even say at this point?

With that, I ignored William's dark expression, brushed past the maid with my glass in hand, and went straight upstairs.

"William, my heart hurts so much..." Lily cried out, her voice shaky.

Seeing things get more and more tense between us, Lily cursed her lips.

Her eyes red, voice soft and weak, she pressed herself against William, acting all fragile and helpless.

William, worried about her health, picked her up in his arms. Before heading out, he gave the bodyguards a cold order.

"Since Emily refuses to apologize, she's not allowed to set foot outside for the next few days," he said coldly.