Chapter 5 Tessa Ambrose

Emery hadn't seen Kieran for a while now, since the day they had parted on unpleasant terms. She had gone to Carter Corporation twice, but the CEO's office was always empty. Alan Johnson, Kieran's assistant, would only smile and inform her that Kieran was very busy, but he wouldn't tell her where Kieran was. At the hospital, Sarah was angry that the marriage was going nowhere. Such was her anger that she couldn't even stomach her liquid diet. She glared at Emery and cursed at her loudly, "You useless thing! You can't even keep a man." After she had vented enough of her frustrations on Emery, Sarah started wiping her tears again. She said, "I should've just raised your brother if I knew you were a good-for-nothing." Emery had long become numb to these rants, and she replied indifferently, "Mom, no matter what you say, Stanley has already been dead for a long time now." Stanley Young, her younger brother, had bad luck. He had gone along with Sarah to live with the Carter family and was raised there, but he had died unexpectedly when he was only ten years old. When Emery had arrived, Sarah had been wailing heartbrokenly over his body, wishing that Emery had died instead of him. There was a heavy weight in Emery's chest as she recounted the past events. As she listened to the endless insults, she gave an empty smile and said indifferently, "Just forget about it. If you had depended on Stanley, you wouldn't be able to enjoy all this wealth." It was wealth obtained from selling Emery, after all. That hit a nerve, and Sarah grabbed something to throw at Emery. She shouted, "You were the one who was taken advantage of! Who do you think I did all this for?" Emery was used to being hit. She didn't dodge, but she frowned at the pain as warmth trickled down her forehead. She raised her hand to wipe it away, and blood stained her fingertips. She didn't say a word and gave Sarah, who seemed unconcerned, a long, piercing stare. Emery picked up her bag and left the hospital room. Her silence was one of resignation. Emery went to the restroom to tend to the wound. There was a cut on her forehead, and after wiping off the blood, it was still red and swollen. It was also rather noticeable. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that her face was pale and lifeless. There were dark circles under her eyes from several sleepless nights. She had to admit that she was no longer young as well. After this year, she would have spent exactly ten years with Kieran. What she got in return was neglect and having her engagement broken off. Emery furrowed her brows, feeling as if there was a gaping wound in her heart with a cold wind blowing through it. The pain was so severe that she couldn't describe her emotions. While lost in her thoughts, her phone, which was lying nearby, suddenly rang. She looked at it and saw that it was Kieran calling. She had a bad feeling. Kieran got straight to the point before she could even greet him. He said, "There's a banquet at the Carter residence. Grandfather has specifically asked me to bring you home." After a pause, he added, "I just had some drinks and can't drive. Come pick me up in a little while." He hung up the call before Emery could even reply and quickly sent her an address. Emery knew this was one of Kieran's tactics. Even if they were to feud till kingdom come, as long as Logan intervened, she would put aside their grudges and give in first. Kieran's trick had always worked because while the entire Carter family treated her and Sarah as a joke, Logan was the only one who thought of her as family. … Emery went home to change clothes. She was checking the time, and as she pushed open the door to the private room, she bumped right into someone. The woman had smooth skin and a slim waist. Below the corner of her left eye was a small, tear-shaped mole, and she had bright eyes and a radiant smile. She wore her long brown curls loosely, and a subtle fragrance seemed to linger around her. She was, without a doubt, a natural beauty. Their eyes met, and Emery's heart skipped a beat. There was an inexplicable rush of panic as she said, "Tessa, you're back." Tessa Ambrose smiled. She noticed Emery's reservedness, raised an eyebrow, and softly said, "You're looking for Key, aren't you?" "Key" was the nickname that Tessa had lovingly given to Kieran. It was an intimate affection unique only to her. Tessa spoke without making way, and the people inside started to tease her loudly. Someone shouted, "Miss Secretary, your Mr. Carter has just left for a while, and you're already standing guard at the door?" The voice was so loud that it was impossible for Emery to not overhear. She froze for a moment and said, "Miss Secretary?" Tessa paused for a while, then her smile deepened. She replied without answering Emery's question, "Key went to get some hangover remedy for me, I hope you won't mind. He'll be back soon." Emery remained silent. She had been with Kieran for so many years, spending time with each other daily, yet she had never been able to ask him to do anything for her. It really was a case where comparison only hurts when there's something to measure against. Emery felt uneasy. She wanted to leave, but Kieran's voice came from behind her. "What are you doing outside?" Her chest clenched, and she instinctively turned her head. She saw Kieran's gaze settle on Tessa. His voice was mellow and filled with concern. "It's windy here, and you're not feeling well. Don't catch a cold." Tessa blushed as she turned her face, taking the box of hangover remedy from Kieran with a smile. She said, "I'm not as delicate as you think." Tessa and Kieran exchanged looks filled with affection, and Emery felt her eyes sting. Anyone who wasn't aware might have thought she was the unwanted third party. Seeing Emery left standing aside, Tessa nudged Kieran on the arm. "Key, Emery's waiting for you." Kieran only seemed to notice Emery after Tessa's reminder, and he asked Emery flatly, "Did you drive?" Emery replied with a dull hum. Kieran nodded and said indifferently, "It's getting late. Let's send Tessie home first." Upon hearing this, Emery's expression visibly stiffened.