Emily hugged herself tightly, shivering as the cold seemed to seep into her bones. Her expensive clothes did nothing to shield her from the biting wind.
After Elsie fell asleep, Emily carefully stepped out onto the balcony and dialed Nolan's number.
"Hello?" Nolan's voice was distant and indifferent.
"It's me, Emily," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Nolan..."
"Emily, don't call me again. I have a new girlfriend now."
"Nolan, you can't do this to me. We've been through so much together. Don't you feel anything for me?" Emily's eyes welled up with tears.
"Emily, if I remember right, you were always the one making the first move. Why would I turn down a woman who throws herself at me?" Nolan's tone was full of disdain.
"Nolan, you can't be so heartless," Emily pleaded, her voice breaking.
Nolan recalled how Emily had once kicked him out without mercy and let out a cold laugh. "Emily, I thought you were something special, but it turns out you're just ordinary."
"What do you mean by that?" Emily was both angry and desperate.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Nolan replied mockingly. "I've told you many times, I have a new girlfriend, and I only love her."
"Nolan, you jerk!" Emily screamed into the phone, completely breaking down.
"Emily, you were better before the plastic surgery. Now...," Nolan sneered, "you look awful when you cry, all that silicone on your face."
"Shut up, Nolan!" Emily shouted, her voice hoarse.
After hanging up, Emily's outburst woke Elsie from her sleep.
"Emily, what's wrong?" Elsie asked groggily.
Emily felt her hair sticking to her face and nose from her tears. She realized something was wrong. She had just washed her hair tonight, so why couldn't she smell the shampoo?
Panicking, Emily rushed to her vanity, grabbed another bottle of perfume, and sprayed it in front of her. But she still couldn't smell anything.
She collapsed, hugging herself and letting out a piercing scream.
After her emotional outburst, she sat weakly at her vanity, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Emily, what's going on?" Elsie asked, frightened, as she grabbed the perfume bottle from Emily's hand, worried she might break it.
Emily had always been strong-willed and never wanted to show her vulnerable side to anyone. She was terrified of being laughed at.
So, she had never told Elsie about losing her sense of taste.
But now, she was horrified to realize she had also lost her sense of smell, plunging her into deeper despair.
No wonder everything tasted bland for the past two weeks. No wonder she felt like she was allergic to something but couldn't pinpoint it. It was because her sense of smell was gone.
"Emily, what's wrong?" Elsie asked again, blinking in confusion.
Emily stood up, her eyes red. "I'm fine."
"You scared me. Why did you suddenly..." Elsie didn't finish her sentence, afraid to say Emily had gone crazy. She just picked up the perfume and sprayed it in the air, closing her eyes and enjoying the scent.
Emily could only watch with envy, realizing how wonderful it was to be a normal person who could smell and taste again.
But she had lost it all.
She remembered the doctor warning her that such major surgery could drastically change her appearance but also had unpredictable side effects.
At the time, she was only focused on becoming beautiful to attract Raymond's attention, ignoring everything else.
Now, it felt like she was being punished for her greed, paying a heavy price.
And what awaited Emily next were exorbitant legal fees and a life of poverty.
Even if her face could hold up for another year or two, she couldn't afford the future maintenance costs.
An unmaintained face, no matter how exquisite, would eventually show problems.
Emily couldn't imagine what would happen to her face next.
Desperate tears fell from her eyes, as if fate had pushed her to this point.
It was greed, jealousy, and her intense hatred for Melinda.
Even now, she still hated Melinda.
Melinda had ruined her!
Meanwhile, Melinda yawned as she entered Sam's room, only to find it empty.
She felt a pang of guilt, realizing she had become so lazy that even her son was more diligent than her.
In the kitchen, she found a warm breakfast waiting for her. After eating, she went to the garden and heard Sam's laughter from the lawn.
She walked over and saw Sam playing soccer, with Raymond in a gray tracksuit playing alongside him. Only Raymond could make a tracksuit look like something out of a comic book. His physique was incredible.
Seeing her, Sam eagerly showed off his soccer skills.
Melinda watched him with love and admiration, giving him a thumbs-up.
Raymond turned to look at her, his hair tousled by the breeze, his features deep and handsome.
As he got closer, his breath lightly brushed her ear, making her feel a mix of youth and sensuality that dispelled her initial awe of him.
Raymond was too handsome. She didn't know whether to watch Sam or him.
But today, Sam couldn't outshine Raymond.
Feeling a bit guilty, she realized she was neglecting her son while being distracted by another man.
Finally, Sam, sweating profusely, ran up to her and hugged her. "Mom, did you see my soccer skills? Have I improved?"
"Of course! You're the best, Sam!" Melinda said, kissing his cheek.
Raymond handed Sam a towel. "Here, wipe your sweat." His unexpected gentleness made Melinda's heart skip a beat.
Sam seemed like Raymond's own son, with how much he cared for him.
It was because he cared that he wanted to be thorough.
Sam took off his sweaty towel, revealing his toned back.
Raymond's gaze was intense. Melinda quickly looked away, feeling the sudden tension.
Sam grabbed a fresh towel and ran back to the field.
Raymond sat down nearby. Melinda, thinking about the upcoming anniversary event, asked, "There's an anniversary event at the lab this Friday. Can you make it?"
Raymond turned to her. "I might not have time."
"Okay," Melinda nodded.
Raymond turned back to watch Sam but then quickly turned back to her. "Are you going?"
"Ms. Lewis said a singer I like will be performing. I want to go," Melinda said, rubbing her hands in anticipation.
"Alright, I'll have Stuart make time," Raymond replied softly.
Melinda was taken aback. "Your work is more important."
"Work isn't more important than being with my girlfriend," Raymond said nonchalantly.