Chapter 182

Chapter 182

I felt restless for some reason, so I decided to go for a walk.

After about half an hour, my legs were aching, so I ducked into a nearby coffee shop that was still open.

"Ember?"

A familiar voice made me look up. It was Nason.

I was a little surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Working late. Couldn't take it anymore, so I came down for coffee."

Nason sat down across from me. "When did you get back?"

"A few days ago. A friend invited me to their wedding," I explained.

Mid-sentence, my stomach churned violently. I got up and rushed toward the bathroom.

Nason followed me.

"Are you okay? Should I take you to a hospital?" Nason asked with concern.

After a moment, I finally caught my breath and shook my head. "I'm fine. It's just an old problem."

"I didn't know you had an 'old problem' like this," Nason said, frowning.

"Maybe we should continue this conversation outside? This is the women's restroom, after all," I said helplessly.

"Oh, right. Good point."

Nason helped me up, looking curious. "Why are you sitting here drinking coffee alone this late? Why aren't you home?"

I stirred my coffee quietly, not sure how to answer.

After a long pause, I hesitated. "I'm pretty tired. Could you maybe give me a ride home?"

I rubbed my aching calves, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Just then, my phone rang. Gabriel's name lit up the screen.

"Hello," I answered reluctantly.

"Why aren't you replying to my messages?" Gabriel's cold voice came through.

"Because I didn't want to. Is that not allowed? Gabriel, have you forgotten that we're divorced?"

I'd gotten the divorce papers. I didn't need to put up with him anymore.

"You're not home?" Gabriel picked up on the background noise immediately, his voice sharpening.

"Nope. I'm out on a date." I hung up.

Nason across from me was frowning at me, saying nothing.

"What?"

"Don't recognize me?"

I looked at Nason, confused.

Nason shook his head. "You're just different from before."

"Maybe the old me finally died," I said with a slight smile.

"Anyway, can you give me a ride?"

Nason nodded. "Sure."

Outside my building, Nason hesitated. "If you ever need anything, you can always reach out to me."

"Thanks."

Back home, I flopped on the couch and scrolled through my phone aimlessly. Then my mom called.

"Ember, tomorrow night your dad and I have a business partner hosting a birthday party in Lakewood City. Can you go in our place?"

"Where are you and Dad?" I asked, frowning.

I'd never liked these fake, schmoozy events.

"We're traveling. We can't make it back in time." My mom sounded cheerful on the other end.

"Fine. I'll go tomorrow."

I wasn't thrilled, but I agreed so I wouldn't disappoint them.

Early the next morning, I drove to Lakewood City. Since I had time before the party started, I checked into a nearby hotel to rest.

Probably because of the pregnancy, I'd been so sleepy lately. I ended up sleeping all the way into the afternoon.

After getting ready, I drove to the venue.

At the entrance, a staff member stopped me.

"Miss, may I see your invitation?"

"Sorry, my parents told me about this last minute. They haven't given me the invitation yet," I said awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, but without an invitation, you can't enter."

"Ember?"

Just as I was starting to panic, a familiar voice came from behind me.

I turned to see Gabriel in a suit, expressionless, standing there.

I felt awkward. "My parents asked me to come, but they forgot to give me an invitation."

Gabriel nodded and handed his invitation to the staff. "We're together."

"Of course, please come in."

The staff member's attitude instantly warmed.

"Uncle Johnny, happy birthday." Gabriel shook hands with a man who looked to be in his sixties.

"Gabriel, it's been too long," the older man said warmly.

His eyes landed on me. "And who's this?"

"Ember, from the Blake Group."

"Robert's daughter, right? Beautiful. She looks just like him," the man said with a smile.

"Thank you. Happy birthday, Uncle Johnny," I said, finally relaxing a bit. "I'm sorry my parents couldn't make it. They sent me in their place."

"That's fine, that's fine. But tell Robert he owes me a drink when he gets back." Uncle Johnny laughed, then excused himself to greet other guests.

"What can I get you two?" A server approached with a tray of drinks.

I stared at the alcohol on the tray and frowned. "Do you have juice?"

"Of course. I'll get that for you right away."

Gabriel, holding a glass of whiskey, looked at me curiously.

"My stomach's been bothering me. I can't drink," I said casually.

"Do you need to see a doctor?" For once, Gabriel actually seemed concerned.

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. It's an old issue."

"I didn't know you had stomach problems."

I looked at him, almost amused. "Your attention has always been on someone else. How would you know what's wrong with me?"

"Ember." Gabriel's face darkened.

Before he could say more, my stomach lurched again. I turned and rushed toward the bathroom.

In the bathroom stall, I kept dry heaving, bringing up nothing but acid.

I hadn't eaten anything, so there was nothing to throw up.

Finally, the nausea subsided. As I was about to leave the stall, I overheard voices outside.

"Didn't they get divorced? So why is she still hanging around Gabriel?" one woman said coldly.

"The Blake family does business with ours. Even if Ember and Gabriel really are divorced, you need to watch what you say," another woman replied.

"So what? They're divorced. Does that mean Gabriel has to stay single for her forever?" the first woman scoffed.