Chapter 224: I Have Children
Sean immediately understood what had happened. "Was it Zoey who set you up? I knew she was up to no good!"
Everyone on base knew Zoey had a thing for him, but he didn't return her feelings and had always been cold toward her. Zoey had never given up pursuing Sean, and apparently, she'd started targeting any female trainee who got close to him. And he'd never hidden his attraction to Emily.
So when he saw Emily being punished with latrine duty, he immediately suspected Zoey had deliberately targeted her.
"It's not about her—it's my own fault." Emily didn't want to discuss Zoey further. Trusting someone who might be an enemy was indeed her own mistake.
But Sean refused to leave. Instead, he picked up a nearby cleaning rag and started wiping down the stall doors. "Regardless of whose fault it is, cleaning all these restrooms alone would exhaust you. Let me help."
"No need, I can manage. Just go!"
"I'm not leaving. If you won't let me help, I'll just stand here and let everyone see you cleaning toilets." Sean started acting like a stubborn child, though his hands never stopped working as he scrubbed earnestly at the door.
Emily looked at his obstinate behavior with a mix of irritation and helplessness. She knew this type of stubborn personality—if she didn't agree, he really would stand there and refuse to move. After a moment's hesitation, she gave in. "Fine, do whatever you want."
Sean's face immediately broke into a happy smile, and he scrubbed even more enthusiastically.
The two worked in silence until they finished cleaning the last restroom. Only then did Emily breathe a sigh of relief and lean against the wall to rest. Sean handed her a water bottle with a smile. "You're pretty impressive—cleaning all these restrooms without a single complaint. Anyone else would have been grumbling the whole time."
Emily accepted the water and took a sip. Looking at Sean's sincere expression, she suddenly felt guilty. Though Sean was an annoying wealthy heir, he wasn't fundamentally bad. Even after being rejected, he'd remained polite.
"Sean, thank you for helping me, but I need to make something clear."
Sean saw her serious expression and felt an ominous premonition, but still nodded. "Go ahead, I'm listening."
"I have someone I care about, and I have three children. I'm only staying at the training camp for two weeks. After that, I'll be leaving. We won't have any relationship going forward. So please don't waste any more time on me—it's impossible between us."
Sean's smile froze instantly, and his water bottle dropped to the floor. He stared at Emily in disbelief. "You... what did you say? Do you already have children? That... how is that possible?"
This beautiful Emily already had three children?
He couldn't believe it!
Emily saw his shocked expression and found it somewhat amusing. "It's true. I'm not lying to you. So please stop wasting your time on me and find a girl who's right for you."
She finished speaking, picked up the cleaning supplies, and turned to leave the restroom, leaving Sean standing alone in place, unable to recover for a long time. He never would have imagined that the first person he'd ever truly liked already had children.
Emily had barely stepped outside the restroom door when someone gently grabbed her wrist—it was Sean.
His face still showed traces of shock, but his eyes were particularly determined. "Wait! I don't believe you. You must be lying, right? You're so young. How could you possibly have children? Are you just saying this because you don't want me bothering you?"
This was his first time being truly attracted to a woman. How could he give up so easily? In his view, Emily's claim about having children might just be an excuse to reject him.
Emily frowned and forcefully pulled her hand free. "I'm not lying to you—everything I said is true. Sean, it's impossible between us. Stop wasting your time."
She turned to leave, but after only a few steps, she walked straight into a warm, familiar embrace.
"Whether she's lying to you doesn't matter. What matters is that she's mine."
A low, cold voice spoke from above her head. Emily looked up to see Charles wearing a black windbreaker, standing before her with eyes coldly fixed on Sean, radiating powerful intimidation.
Sean's expressions changed instantly when he saw Charles.
"Charles!"
Of course, he recognized Charles. From Charles's gaze, he could see the possessive desire the man felt toward Emily—clearly, their relationship was anything but ordinary.
"What's your relationship with her?"
Charles ignored him, only looking down at Emily with a voice that instantly turned gentle. "I came to check on you."
As he spoke, he naturally wrapped his arm around Emily's waist and turned to walk away, never glancing at Sean again throughout the entire exchange.
Sean stood in place, watching the two figures walk away side by side, his fists clenched tight.
Emily was Charles's woman!
A wave of crushing disappointment surged through him, making it hard to breathe.
If it were anyone else, he might still fight for her. But that man was Charles!
What could he possibly compete with?
Charles walked with his arm around Emily along the training camp's path. The late-night camp was exceptionally quiet, with only lamplight casting its long shadows on the ground. They didn't encounter anyone along the way—clearly, Charles was intimately familiar with the routes here.
"How did you end up here?" Emily broke free from Charles's arm, her tone carrying a hint of coldness. She was still angry about the ruby necklace incident, and Charles's possessive display just now made her even more uncomfortable.
Charles didn't answer, only led her to a secluded, small building, pushed open a hidden door, and walked inside. It was a small safe room with a sofa and coffee table—obviously meant for temporary rest.
As soon as the door closed, Charles turned and pressed Emily against the wall, his hands braced on either side of her, his eyes showing hints of jealousy. "Emily, what's wrong with you? No matter where you go, men fall for you. Sean was completely obsessed with you just now. Couldn't you reject him?"
Just thinking about Sean grabbing Emily's wrist made him feel extremely irritated.
Emily was startled by his sudden movement. "Charles, you're hurting me! Whether I reject him or not is none of your business! We're not married—what gives you the right to control me? You're allowed to give gifts to Kismet, but I can't let other people pursue me? What's fair about that?"
Charles frowned slightly. "I didn't give her any gifts."