Chapter 11: Let Me Go

At this moment, outside a hospital in Celestine.

Emma walked out of the hospital holding her medical records, her belly already showing, while Alan Bennett beside her kept trying to persuade her without hesitation.

"Emma, I know you can't accept me right now, but your child needs a father, and you need someone to rely on. I swear to God, I'll be good to you for the rest of my life."

Over the past six months, Alan had learned everything about Emma's past.

But he didn't back away. Instead, on the day he learned the truth, he held Emma and cried his heart out.

Since then, he'd been doing everything he could to treat Emma well.

But Emma just couldn't bring herself to love someone wholeheartedly again.

Now Alan was confessing his feelings again. Emma looked at him helplessly and amusedly as he was about to cry, habitually patting his head.

"Can't we just be partners in work who never betray each other? Isn't that good enough?"

Emma was now almost six months pregnant, and the studio was thriving, even landing quite a few big orders.

Alan had long become Emma's capable assistant.

To Emma, business partners were always more reliable than so-called husbands.

Alan had lost count of how many times he'd been rejected, but he didn't care. He continued staring at Emma with bright eyes.

"Emma, if you ever want to get married in the future, you must consider me."

Emma was amused by his serious expression and could only nod helplessly in agreement.

Suddenly, Alan received an email and rushed over to hug Emma, spinning her around in the air.

"Great! Emma, there's a million-dollar project that found our studio!"

But right after that, Alan couldn't smile anymore, pointing at the email address.

"But Emma, that place is in Silverstone City, your hometown."

The joy from earlier was dampened by that place name.

Emma hadn't expected that half a year after leaving Silverstone City, she'd have to return so soon.

Alan could see Emma's hesitation and suggested, "How about you guide remotely and I'll go follow up? Or we could just not take this project."

"No need." Emma hesitated for a moment, then smiled at him warmly.

Things that needed to be faced would have to be faced eventually, it was just a matter of sooner or later.

Everything from the past had long been let go with time.

Seeing he still looked reluctant, Emma found it funny. Now she was the one comforting him.

"We'll go together. Maybe we can even expand into new business territory while we're there. After all, Celestine is really inconvenient, remote, and sparsely populated."

After thinking for a moment, Alan's smile returned.

"Okay, Emma, this time you can show me your hometown."

The plane passed through the clouds, and everything below gradually became familiar to Emma. It seemed nothing had changed during this time.

As soon as they landed, Mary, who had been waiting, flew over to them.

"Emma! I missed you so much. Why did you lose weight?"

Emma hugged her back, patting her back soothingly.

"Don't worry, I haven't suffered. Look, I'm doing fine now, and I've even become a boss."

This successfully made Mary's eyes turn red.

She only saw how the once delicate Emma who knew nothing had become a boss who could handle things on her own.

How much effort had that taken? How much hardship had she endured?

"Alright, aren't you going to congratulate me? I came back this time for a project, a million-dollar one."

Now it was Mary's turn to be surprised.

She walked around Emma in a circle, then sincerely gave her a thumbs up, hugging Emma like a koala and nuzzling her.

"Emma, soon you'll be able to support me."

"Yes." Emma found it amusing, touching her belly, her expression becoming gentle.

"In a few more months, you can be a godmother."

After catching up, they headed to a restaurant that had been reserved.

Before the food arrived, Emma suddenly felt uncomfortable. She quickly waved at the two of them and rushed to the restroom.

After throwing up, Emma couldn't help but think to herself that her child had quite a strong reaction to being back in familiar territory.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly heard a familiar voice and instinctively hid in a nearby bathroom stall.

Even after half a year, Emma couldn't forget Evelyn's voice.

Outside, she seemed to be on the phone, her tone unusually ingratiating.

"That woman is long gone, who knows where. Mom, don't worry. No matter what, Marcus's heart is with me. I know, I'll attend the project event with him in a couple of days. About the baby, there's nothing I can do, he's been too busy lately."

Emma crouched inside, just feeling unlucky.

She hadn't expected that even after deliberately avoiding things when coming back, she'd still hear news about Marcus and Evelyn.

Only when there was no sound outside did Emma come out of the stall.

As soon as she stepped out, she met a pair of hostile eyes.

"It's you?"

Evelyn cried out in surprise, her gaze filled with shock, naturally falling on Emma's protruding belly, her guard suddenly intensifying.

"Emma, you really are pregnant!"

"What about you? How come your belly hasn't grown in half a year? So the fake pregnancy never became a real one. Looks like you haven't been doing so well these past six months either, Evelyn."

Emma smiled at her nonchalantly and moved closer.

Today Emma was wearing high heels, standing a head taller than Evelyn.

Having seen all the scheming in the business world, Emma had naturally developed a commanding presence.

All the words Evelyn was about to say were blocked by Emma, leaving her looking upset, as if she was about to faint from anger.

She was surprised to find that the Emma before her seemed completely different from the Emma of the past.

Even her aura was different. Just now, she'd had the illusion of seeing Marcus.

Realizing this, Evelyn felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.

"Emma, do you think you can come back and steal Marcus away? He's mine! Why did you come back!"

Emma had long lost interest in their love affairs.

But Emma enjoyed seeing Evelyn frustrated and upset, and didn't mind teasing her a bit more. She deliberately tossed her hair and lowered her voice.

"Then you'd better keep a close eye on him. Otherwise, however you stole Marcus away, that's how I'll steal him back."

Successfully seeing Evelyn's face turn pale, Emma satisfactorily dried her hands and brushed past her shoulder as she left.

After dinner, it was still early, so Emma took Alan to the hotel to discuss the final design details.

After all, they'd be meeting with the client in a couple of days.

Just as they came downstairs.

A black Maybach drove past, with a familiar license plate number.

It was as if, through the dark glass, Emma could see Marcus, whom she'd spent thirteen years with.

Alan waved his hand in front of Emma's eyes. "Emma, what's wrong? You're staring so intently. Don't tell me that's your ex-husband."

He'd just meant it as a joke, but Emma fell into an odd silence. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he wanted to slap himself, saying regretfully, "I said the wrong thing."

"It's fine, it's all in the past. I'm just a bit annoyed seeing him still doing so well."

Emma looked away and got into a taxi nearby.

The moment the car started, it seemed Marcus's car turned back around, just missing them.