Chapter 167

Chapter 167
Kathy's POV

I followed Dad, tears blurring my vision. But as I passed Emma, I remembered the plan with Lily. I turned to her, feeling something churn inside me—anger and disgust.

"You don't belong here," I said coldly.

Emma looked completely stunned. "Kathy, what's going on? Why are you suddenly being so rude to me?"

I stared directly into her eyes, feeling something in my chest encouraging me to speak these words: "Because you don't deserve to be in our home!"

I knew it was impolite, but I couldn't control myself. Ever since Lily and I found out Emma was going to marry Dad, I felt a strong resistance.

Emma opened her mouth, probably to scold me, but Anna appeared in the doorway just in time.

"Kathy, what are you doing here? Mr. Blackwood is waiting in the car," Anna's voice broke the tension.

I immediately reached out to her: "Let's go." I wanted her to carry me.

Anna picked me up, nodding briefly to Emma: "Sorry Ms. Wells, we need to get to the hospital. Please make yourself comfortable." Her tone was polite but clearly distant.


Emma's POV

Watching their hostile and cold attitudes, I felt it was ridiculous.

What had I done wrong? I brought their father back, erased Richard's painful memories. This was all for his own good.

"Bzz... Bzz..." My phone vibrated in the garden. I answered immediately, hoping Richard would tell me we could continue with our venue tour.

"Emma, today's plans are canceled. Lily's injury is more serious than expected," Richard's voice was hurried but controlled, leaving no room for discussion.

"But Richard, we already arranged—" I started, but he had already hung up.

"Damn it!" I gripped my phone so hard my knuckles turned white. I felt anger burning inside me.

I gave up my anti-marriage stance for him. I proposed engagement for his health, to ensure that woman never affects him again. And now, because a little girl took a tumble, he throws all our plans out the window?

I was about to call Richard back and demand an explanation when my father's call came through.

"Emma, weren't we supposed to be looking at venues? Where is everyone?" my father asked impatiently.

"What venues? Richard ran off, so there's no engagement to plan!" I snapped.

"Ran off? What happened?" My mother's voice came from the background, obviously with my father. "What did you do this time?"

"I didn't do anything! His daughter got hurt, and he just abandoned me here without a word and took her to the hospital!"

"And you have the nerve to be angry about that?" My father's voice turned stern. "His daughter is injured and in the hospital. As his future family member, you should be more understanding. Go to the hospital right now and show your concern. Your mother and I will be there shortly!"

I took a deep breath, knowing my father was right.

"Fine, I'm going now," I said reluctantly, hanging up and turning toward my car.


Kathy's POV

The antiseptic smell of the emergency area was sharp, but I didn't care. I was only concerned about Lily.

The doctor had just finished treating Lily's wound. She had accidentally knocked out a baby tooth when she fell, causing more bleeding than expected. Her mouth was stuffed with cotton, looking uncomfortable.

Dad, uncharacteristically, showed panic and concern.

"Don't worry, children heal quickly. A new tooth will grow in before you know it," the doctor reassured with a smile.

Lily blinked her swollen eyes, nestled in Dad's arms. "Really?" her voice muffled by the cotton.

"Of course, the doctor isn't lying. You'll have a new tooth soon," Dad said gently, lightly pinching her little nose.

About fifteen minutes later, Dad went to handle the medication paperwork, leaving Lily and me sitting alone on the bench in the emergency room.

"Does it hurt?" I asked softly, feeling both concerned and guilty.

Lily shook her head. "...Doesn't hurt!" she insisted bravely, despite her red, swollen eyes and puffy mouth.

Seeing her trying to be so strong broke my heart. I couldn't help but hug her tightly.

"We're family," she affirmed, her eyes suddenly serious. "We won't let Emma marry Dad."

"We'll make her go away," Lily declared, "and then Mom will come back!"

I stared at my sister, this brave little girl who had deliberately thrown herself down the stairs—who had knocked out her own tooth and endured real pain—all to prevent our father's engagement party.

"You were so brave," I whispered, feeling a mixture of pride and heartache. "But you could have been hurt much worse."

Lily shook her head firmly. "It was worth it. Dad canceled everything with her."

"We can't keep hurting ourselves though," I said pragmatically. "Dad postponed the engagement, but he'll reschedule it."

Lily's face fell, and we both sat in gloomy silence.

"What do we do next?" she finally asked.

I chewed my lip, thinking hard. "Our main goal is to stop them from getting engaged at all."

"We could destroy the ring!" Lily suggested, her eyes lighting up.

"No, that wouldn't work," I replied. "He'd just buy another one."

We both fell silent again. The problem seemed insurmountable—how could two little girls stop a determined adult?

"What we really need," I said slowly, the idea forming as I spoke, "is to get Mom to come back."

Lily's eyes immediately welled with tears, and she looked at me with such hope it made my chest hurt.

"But..." her voice trembled, "Mom doesn't want to come back. That's what Max said."

"But Max said Mommy is buying the house she used to live in," I reminded her. "Maybe she's planning to return."

Lily nodded enthusiastically, then winced at the pain the movement caused.

"What should we do?" she asked, already trusting my judgment.

I patted her hand. "You rest and get better. I'll think of something."