Chapter 255: The Diary
"Emily, could we have a private word? In my study."
Emily glanced at Elodie, who nodded. "I'll wait for you here."
Daphne led Emily through the corridor to a spacious study. Three walls were lined floor-to-ceiling with bookshelves filled with volumes of every description. By the window sat a wooden desk, its surface completely bare.
"Please, sit." Daphne gestured to the chair across from the desk.
Emily sat down as Daphne settled behind the desk. They faced each other across the polished wood, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension.
"Actually, I came here today to learn about the history between the Campbell and Windsor families," Emily said, cutting straight to the point. "Why does Ollie harbor such hatred for the Campbells? What exactly happened between our families?"
Daphne gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, I don't know either."
Emily's eyes widened. "You... don't know?"
Daphne sighed heavily. "Those events belong to the previous generation. My father—your grandfather Beau—and William Windsor were bitter rivals back in Seraphim. What specifically transpired between them, only they knew. Father never spoke of it, only told us that the Windsors were the Campbell family's enemies, and that reconciliation was impossible."
"What about... my mother? Did she know?"
Daphne shook her head. "Most likely not. We were all children when those events occurred. Later, when Scarlett insisted on leaving the Campbell family and Seraphim, Father was furious and cut ties with her completely. I never saw her again after that."
"I searched for her for years but could never find her. I had no idea she had already passed away."
Emily felt a wave of complex emotions wash over her. Even Daphne didn't know the truth—those grudges had been buried too deep.
Daphne studied her intently, her eyes filled with concern. "Emily, you're so much like your mother. As your aunt, I don't want you to follow in her footsteps or get hurt. The feud between the Campbells and Windsors runs so deep that even we don't understand its origins. Being with Charles will inevitably bring obstacles and hardships."
She paused, her voice growing heavier. "And Ollie... he's stubborn, vindictive. Once he's made up his mind about something, it's nearly impossible to change it. He won't easily accept you."
Emily's heart sank. These words matched her expectations, but hearing them aloud still filled her with sadness.
"But we have three children together."
She didn't voice her feelings for Charles.
"I know. You and Charles have three wonderful children, and Daniel is even Jasper's teacher. But Emily, love sometimes can't overcome harsh reality."
Daphne stood and walked to the window, turning her back to Emily. "Years ago, Scarlett fell in love with someone, too. It wasn't your father. For that man, she was willing to break with the family and leave for distant shores. But what happened in the end? She married someone else, lived lonely despite having a husband, until her death."
Emily looked up in shock. "What are you saying? My mother loved someone else?"
Daphne turned around, her eyes full of sorrow. "Yes. Scarlett left Seraphim with him, and we never heard from her again."
The words hit Emily like a thunderbolt.
"Who was he?"
"I don't know." Daphne shook her head. "Scarlett never told me. I only know he was from Eldoria. That's why I spent years searching for her there after she left. I never imagined she'd gone to Thalassia."
Emily felt the world spinning around her.
So her father, Simon, had been right—her mother's heart belonged to someone else, and that someone wasn't her father. Emily even began to doubt her own parentage. Was Simon really her father?
Who was this man her mother had loved?
Was he alive or dead? Where was he now?
Tears rolled down Emily's cheeks. She remembered her mother's gentle smile, the image of her sitting alone by the window late at night, the occasional sadness that would cross her face.
So her mother had harbored such secrets.
She had never truly known her mother at all.
"If you want to know more, perhaps you could visit Seraphim and meet your grandfather. He's been longing to see you." Daphne gently embraced her, patting her back like a mother would. "Leave Charles and return to the Campbell family, won't you?"
Emily nestled quietly in Daphne's arms. If her mother were still alive, would her embrace feel this warm, too?
Should she explore these unknown truths?
"No. I won't leave Charles."
Daphne started. "Emily?"
"Mother chose to leave for her own reasons. If she didn't want to stay somewhere, I don't need to go there either. And Charles—he loves me, cherishes me, and would stand against his own family for my sake. I won't abandon our relationship because of some unknown grudge."
She paused, then continued, "Besides, we have three children. I can't let them lose their father, and I can't let Charles lose us."
Looking at Emily's determined expression, Daphne seemed to see Scarlett from years past. Her stubborn sister had been the same way—once she decided something, she would never look back.
"Are you certain about this?" Daphne asked softly.
Emily nodded. "I'm certain. No matter how difficult the path ahead, I'll walk it with Charles. As for the feud between the Campbells and Windsors, I'll find a way to uncover the truth. If there's been a misunderstanding, I'll work to resolve it. If there hasn't been..."
She bit her lip. "Then I'll face it. But I won't sacrifice my happiness because of the previous generation's conflicts."
Daphne remained silent for a long moment, finally sighing. "You and your mother are so alike—both stubborn, both brave."
She walked to the desk, opened a drawer, and withdrew an ornate wooden box. "This belonged to Scarlett. She left it behind when she departed. I've kept it safe all these years, but now it should be yours."
Emily accepted the box with trembling hands. Inside lay a yellowed diary and several old photographs.
She picked up one of the photos with shaking fingers. It showed a young woman who looked almost identical to her, smiling radiantly at the camera. It was Scarlett in her youth.
"Your mother's diary, along with some of her photographs. Perhaps you'll find some answers in there."
Emily clutched the wooden box tightly as tears flowed anew.
Daphne gently touched her head. "Emily, remember this—no matter what happens, you are a Campbell. If you ever truly need help, come to me. The Scott family will always stand behind you."