Chapter 175 I Will Not Love You Again
That evening was the Harrison family dinner—really just a simple family meal, with Nicholas's birthday celebration on the side.
He came home rather late, so there wasn't any grand celebration.
Uncle Austin's family had come over, bringing his two daughters, Linda and Victoria.
Nicholas had struck out at the Jackson house.
After waiting over half an hour without any sign of Emma, he drove back to Harrison Manor. As soon as he entered the garden, he spotted Emma with Grandpa Robert by the pond, feeding the fish.
Emerald City's winters weren't particularly harsh, but the north wind still carried a bite.
The breeze tousled her long hair, a few strands clinging to her delicate face.
She wore a white wool coat over a light blue cashmere turtleneck, looking both intellectual and gentle.
Nicholas's expression was stormy as he strode over on his long legs.
"Emma."
She looked up at his voice. Nicholas had changed clothes since noon—he now wore dark tailored slacks that hugged his straight, long legs, and a simple black dress shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of his well-defined chest. The look was sophisticated yet restrained.
Robert, sensing tension between the couple, found an excuse to leave, walking away with his hands clasped behind his back.
Only the two of them remained in the garden.
"Didn't we agree I'd pick you up?" His voice carried suppressed anger and a hint of complaint.
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
Emma's gaze fell on the koi fighting over food in the pond, her tone flat.
"Grandpa missed me, so I came early."
"Then why didn't you tell me?" he pressed, his brow furrowing.
"Oh, I thought you might be busy," she replied dismissively.
Irritated by her cold attitude, he gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him, his tone domineering.
"No matter how busy I am, nothing is more important than you. Remember—from now on, no matter what, I'll personally come get you."
Emma looked into his deep eyes, where her own expressionless face was clearly reflected.
She suddenly asked, "Nicholas, can all people who make mistakes be easily forgiven?"
He froze.
Was she talking about Zoe putting her on the blacklist?
After a moment's consideration, he answered, "As long as someone truly repents, they deserve a second chance."
Emma felt her heart sink to the pit of her stomach.
All color drained from her face, leaving it ashen white.
So he had forgiven Zoe after all.
Before going to Luminous City, she'd sent him a USB drive revealing Zoe's true nature—how she'd orchestrated Emma's kidnapping and conspired with Matthew to steal FD's core data.
And he chose to forgive Zoe?
Her heart felt like it was being torn apart by a dull knife.
Her voice came out broken, "Mr. Harrison, you really are magnanimous."
She turned to leave.
Sensing something was wrong, he stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
"She was wrong before, but I've already punished her. Don't be angry anymore."
He was referring to the blacklist incident—he'd already ordered Zoe to leave Emerald City to prevent further trouble.
Punishment? Emma suddenly laughed, though the smile never reached her eyes.
His punishment was giving her an unlimited black card and sending her abroad to live it up.
She shook off his hand.
"Mr. Harrison, thank you for your magnanimity. I'll head inside now."
The formal "Mr. Harrison" grated on Nicholas's nerves.
He stared at her retreating figure, completely baffled by her anger.
What was her problem?
Maybe it was her time of the month?
Calculating the dates, it should be about now.
He immediately went inside and had the kitchen prepare ginger date soup for blood replenishment.
The long dining table was laden with sumptuous dishes.
Robert sat at the head, with Mia, Nicholas, and Emma on his left. Uncle Austin's family sat on the right—just him, his wife Dahlia, and their two daughters, Linda and Victoria.
As the family patriarch, Robert raised his glass first.
"Everyone, let's toast Nicholas—happy birthday, and may you stay healthy."
Everyone raised their glasses.
After setting down his wine, Austin spoke up, looking at Nicholas with lingering fear.
"Nicholas, that news story earlier really scared us all."
"Thank goodness you're alright."
Victoria chimed in, "Dad, Nicholas has Dr. N by his side. She's amazing—not only can she heal people, but she can do magic and control fire too."
Her sarcastic tone made it clear she was trying to stir up trouble.
Emma acted as if she hadn't heard, her eyes lighting up when she spotted the orange-glazed ribs on the table.
Nicholas quickly reached over with his chopsticks to serve her a piece.
She took a bite, her eyes showing undisguised satisfaction.
"Grandpa's the best—he always remembers this is my favorite."
Robert smiled. "Too sour this time?"
She shook her head. "Not sour enough—could use more vinegar."
"Your tastes change pretty fast," Robert said, placing a piece of chicken in her bowl.
Austin's family sat in awkward silence until Dahlia suddenly spoke up.
"Emma, since you're Dr. N, do you have any good medicine for Victoria? She's had two surgeries on her face already, and she still needs to get married someday."
Emma finally looked up at Victoria. "Beauty comes from within. If you do more good deeds in the future, I guarantee you'll have a beautiful wedding."
Victoria exploded, "Dr. N, everyone says you're kind-hearted, but apparently they don't know how ruthless you can be."
Nicholas set down his chopsticks, his eyes flashing with barely contained menace. "Are you planning to educate her about something?"
Dahlia quickly backtracked, "Victoria's just joking around. Of course not—Dr. N is Harrison Group's great benefactor and Victoria's former sister-in-law. Our whole family is grateful to her."
"Former sister-in-law"—those words hit Nicholas's trigger point.
"Emma will always be my—"
"The White family sent someone," Mia interrupted. "They're inviting you to Empire City next month for Ms. White's recognition ceremony."
"You should prepare properly and pick out a gift for her."
Mia's meaning was crystal clear—time to find Nicholas a new wife.
Emma's eyes flickered as she picked up another piece of orange-glazed ribs.
If Mia was speaking up, it meant they wanted to choose a new bride for Nicholas.
"I won't be going," Nicholas flatly refused.
"What are you trying to do? You're the one who asked for the divorce. Don't tell me you're still hung up on Zoe?"
"Enough! Can't we have a peaceful meal?" Robert intervened to stop the argument.
Then he looked at Nicholas, "You can marry whoever you want—that's your decision."
Of course Robert knew Nicholas was trying to win Emma back.
"Thank you, Grandpa." Nicholas nodded with satisfaction.
He glanced at Emma beside him and used his long fingers to peel a shrimp for her, carefully dipping it in sauce before placing it in the center of her plate.
She used her chopsticks to push it aside without eating it.
Nicholas's expression darkened. Didn't she love shrimp? When Matthew had peeled them for her, she'd eaten them eagerly.
He peeled another one. She pushed it aside again.
Looking grim, he pulled out a wet napkin to clean his hands and stopped peeling.
Finally, when dinner and cake were finished, Emma stepped out of the manor, ready to head home.
Nicholas caught up with her in a few strides, taking her hand as his tall frame nearly enveloped her completely.
"Tell me why you're angry."
His voice was low and probing.
Emma looked up, meeting his gaze with an expressionless face.
"I wouldn't dare be angry with you." She forced a cold smile. "I'm full and ready to go home and sleep."
Her sarcastic tone made it clear she was still upset.
"Emma, don't do this—I'm scared." Nicholas tightened his arms and simply pulled her entire body into his embrace, holding her tightly.
His chest was firm and warm through the thin fabric.
"There's a gathering at Stellar Soiree later. Come with me."
Emma's body went rigid.
"Nicholas, I won't be joining you." Her voice was soft but every word was clear. "I never participated before, and I don't want to in the future."
Her tone was ice-cold, each word precisely drawing boundaries between them.
Nicholas felt like he was freezing to death from the chill in her eyes.
He tightened his arms around her.
"Emma, I hope you can spend today with me." He coaxed patiently, his tone gentler and more peaceful than ever before. "If you don't like socializing, we won't go. Let's go back to Imperial Garden instead, okay?"
She pried his fingers from around her waist, stepped back to put distance between them, and looked at him with icy detachment.
"Nicholas, you want an answer? I'll give it to you now."
Her voice was calm—too calm.
“I will never love you again.”
With that, she turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.
Nicholas's mind went blank. Instinctively, he reached out to grab her again—but his hand brushed against the bandaged wound on her wrist.
Emma sucked in a sharp breath of pain and flinched visibly.
“Sorry—sorry!” Nicholas panicked immediately, letting go as if he’d been burned. He reached toward her again, wanting to check the injury.
But Emma jerked away from his touch, her eyes already reddening.
“Wounds that are almost healed hurt the most when they’re torn open again,” she said quietly. “Nicholas, I need my own space.”
She looked at him one last time.
“Please stop following me, okay?”
Then she turned and walked away, her steps steady and resolute.
This time, Nicholas didn't move.
He simply stood there, watching her figure disappear around the corner of the hallway.
That night, Nicholas skipped the Stellar Soiree—and drank himself into a stupor instead.
Meanwhile, Emma arrived home to find Evelyn cornered at the dining table by Daryl and Ruby.
Daryl was heartbroken, crying out to the heavens, "My precious daughter I worked so hard to raise—some punk got her!"
Ruby set a bowl of fish soup in front of her, "Spill it—whose baby is this? I promise I won't hurt him!"
Emma rushed forward...