Chapter 31 Don't Leave Me
By this time, Emily had already returned to her room.
Margaret had gone to bed long ago, and the entire old mansion was quiet and still.
Emily walked straight to the bathroom after entering, too distracted to care about anything else. She just wanted to take a hot shower as soon as possible.
The heavy, gorgeous gown and jewelry were set aside—the servants would take care of them tomorrow.
She looked at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath, then turned to shower and remove her makeup.
But when she came out, she saw Alex leaning on the sofa, casually scrolling through a tablet.
The screen's light fell on his sharp-featured profile, his expression unreadable.
Emily had planned to go straight to bed, but her gaze inadvertently swept across the tablet screen and suddenly caught a flash of blue.
Her steps paused slightly. It looked familiar.
Looking closer, it was a uniquely designed sapphire brooch with a classic and elegant style.
Two months before Alex proposed the divorce, there had been an auction that she attended.
She had fallen in love with this brooch at first sight.
Not only was the design distinctive, but the gem's cut was nearly perfect, and its color was dazzlingly beautiful.
She had stared at it for a long time, but Alex hadn't noticed.
Besides, the old lady had already given her so much jewelry, so she had to let it go.
But why did he suddenly remember it now?
Emily pressed her lips together, her throat tightening. "This brooch..."
"A birthday gift for Grace."
Instantly, it was like a bucket of cold water dumped over her head. Emily felt cold from head to toe.
Emily forced a smile. "That's nice."
Then, suppressing the dense, stabbing pain in her chest and an indescribable nausea, she went straight to bed.
However, just as she lay down, a phone rang.
Alex glanced at her back curled up under the covers and answered the call. "What is it?"
"Alex, are you done with work?" Grace's sweet voice came through the receiver. "Tomorrow's my birthday, and you promised to spend it with me, remember?"
Emily's movement of pulling up the covers paused.
The voice was just loud enough for her to hear clearly, and her fingertips instantly turned cold.
Alex's low voice was emotionless but softened slightly. "Yeah, I've booked a restaurant. The gift will be delivered to you."
"Really? Thank you, Alex. You're the best to me. What time should we meet tomorrow? Should I wear that new dress I bought?"
Their phone conversation continued.
But Emily had long stopped caring. She was exhausted.
Besides, Grace had deliberately called at this time—she couldn't possibly not know Emily was there too. It was intentional.
Emily felt irritated and restless. Combined with the exhaustion from the day and her body still adjusting to early pregnancy, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
When Alex hung up and stood, he realized she had fallen asleep.
Her breathing was steady, her face without makeup was flawless and pale, but her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, as if she wasn't sleeping peacefully.
Under the light, her face looked especially soft. The usual coldness had faded, leaving only a fragile beauty.
Alex's thin lips pressed together slightly. His gaze fell on her furrowed brows, and he raised his hand to smooth them.
But worried his fingertips might be cold and disturb her sleep, he withdrew his hand.
The bathroom water soon stopped, and he returned to bed, sleeping on the other side.
After some unknown amount of time, it was the middle of the night.
Thunder crashed outside the window, lightning splitting the night sky like a spider's web.
The harsh weather brought a chill, and large raindrops pelted against the window.
Emily's sleep became increasingly restless.
Even in her dreams, her slender body trembled slightly, instinctively curling up.
This sudden thunderstorm made her struggle deeply in her dreams, unable to wake up.
Her father looked haggard in a dark prison cell, the Johnson family company on the verge of bankruptcy, and Grace marrying Alex while taking away her child...
This nightmare left her with nowhere to escape.
She ran desperately but couldn't escape this darkness.
Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet disappeared, and she plummeted downward...
"No... no, don't leave me."
"No..."
Emily's delicate brows were tightly knit, her whole body covered in cold sweat, even trembling all over.
Beside her, Alex was already a light sleeper, and in this weather, he had even less desire to sleep.
Hearing Emily's frightened, weak voice, Alex immediately sat up and patted her shoulder. "Emily, what's wrong?"
Boom!
Another clap of thunder.
The lightning that followed lit up her pale face, and her body trembled uncontrollably, yet she still couldn't wake up.
Alex's heart clenched. He had never seen Emily so fragile and helpless.
Usually, she was always sharp-edged, either cold and cutting or stubborn and defiant, but now...
Alex slowly leaned over, softening his voice. "Emily, Emmie, it's okay. It's safe here. I'm here, right beside you."
But she seemed unable to hear him, still struggling in her nightmare, sleeping extremely restlessly.
Helplessly, Alex reached out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace, turning her over and gently placing his hand on her back.
His warm palm moved clumsily but tenderly, letting Emily clutch at his clothes. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
His low, steady voice was like a sedative, somehow calming Emily down.
She instinctively moved closer to the warmth, and in doing so, the distance between them closed.
Her frame was already petite, and now she fit completely against the man.
The familiar scent made Emily feel incredibly safe, and her subconscious dependence made her tightly hug Alex's lean waist.
Burying her face in his chest, she slept more peacefully.
With their skin touching, Alex's body stiffened slightly, clearly not expecting her to actively move closer.
He looked down at the woman in his arms. Her delicate, soft cheek pressed against his chest, her breath coming through the fabric.
Alex's heartbeat quickened, and he held her tighter.
Even in the past two years, she had rarely shown such intimate, clingy behavior.
He could even clearly feel her dependence. Her soft, slightly cool skin made his heart flutter.
The woman clutched tightly at his clothes as they embraced each other, as if only the two of them existed in the world.
Alex felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and security welling up in his heart.
He had to admit, Emily's initiative to move closer truly pleased him.
Looking down at the woman's serene and beautiful sleeping face, he placed a kiss on her.
Outside the window, the thunderstorm raged with wind and rain, but the two slept in each other's arms.