Chapter 75 Really Gone
Emily stood by the car door, looking back at her parents at the house entrance. Her nose tingled a bit.
Lillian's eyes were already red. She hurried forward and fixed Emily's coat. "When you land in Paris, call home right away to say you're safe. No family there to look after you, so eat on time and don't stay up late drawing."
"Mom, I got it. Don't worry." Emily held back a sob and smiled.
Andrew stood nearby. Even though his eyes showed he hated to see her go, he just said in a low voice, "Don't put up with anything out there. Paris is damp and cold—wear more clothes."
"Yeah!"
With that, Emily didn't dare stay longer. She was afraid she'd change her mind if she looked back again.
Then she bent down and got into the car.
Matthew rolled down the window and said warmly, "You and Auntie can relax. I'll take good care of Emmie."
A few minutes later, the car pulled smoothly away from the Johnson family villa.
Emily leaned back in the seat, watching the scenery flash by on both sides. She let out a long breath. "Finally leaving."
There was so much in those words. Reluctance was real, but relief... was real too.
From now on, she was no longer Mrs. Baker. She could just be herself.
Matthew noticed her mood and paused. "Don't overthink it. Paris is a fresh start. Work and life will be all up to you."
Suddenly, he stopped talking and braked smoothly for the red light.
In that moment, he turned to her. "Call me anytime for anything. I figure I'll be in Paris for three months this trip."
As for after three months, we'll see.
Emily smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Thanks, Matthew. You've helped me and the Johnson family a lot lately."
"That's too formal with me." Matthew chuckled. "Seeing you happy makes me happy too."
After that, Emily didn't say more.
The car headed straight to the airport.
Tall buildings sped by outside the window. This trip would keep her away for at least three years.
Suddenly, as they passed a tall building ahead, a stern face flashed in her mind. Her heart still hurt a little, but she could ignore it now.
It wasn't love or hate anymore. She just didn't care.
Soon, they went straight to international departures.
"Emmie!"
Emily had just finished check-in when a whirlwind figure rushed over.
Rachel's eyes were red. She hugged Emily tight, her voice choking. "Emmie... I hate to see you go. You really have to leave? Keep in touch when you're there, okay? Waa..."
"What are you crying for? I'm coming back." Emily was amused and patted her back lightly a couple times.
Seeing they needed to talk, Matthew took the luggage aside. "I'll head over there first. Emmie, come find me later."
Emily nodded, then pulled Rachel to sit down somewhere.
Rachel sniffed. "I just hate to see you go... First time we're apart this far. Here, take this. One for each of us!"
She pulled a delicate white gold bracelet from her bag.
The pendant was a small round diamond with super smooth facets—top-quality stuff.
Emily put on the bracelet, her heart warming. "Don't worry. You can come visit me. Lots of foreign hunks there. I'll keep an eye out for you!"
Rachel hugged her, holding back tears. "Don't worry. I'll FaceTime you all the time."
Remembering something, Rachel suddenly got serious. "Right, about Alex... Don't go soft on him. He doesn't deserve you going back! There are plenty of fish in the sea!"
Emily laughed and wiped her smudged eyeliner. "Don't worry, I won't."
Things had gone this far. Emily had no reason to turn back.
Suddenly, Matthew came to her side. A dark flash crossed his usually warm eyes, but he hid it fast.
He smiled and stepped forward like he hadn't heard a word. "Emmie, time's up. Let's go."
Emily took a deep breath and hugged her one last time. "I'm off."
"Yeah! Safe travels!" Rachel's eyes reddened again, tears welling up.
She waved to Emily all the way, watching her go through security.
This time, she really left.
Meanwhile, at the Baker family villa, the mood was heavy.
"Hiss..." Alex woke from his hangover, temples throbbing.
He'd drunk too much at yesterday's event. He hadn't even changed clothes in the bedroom. His eyes scanned the room: empty and cold.
No sign of that woman anymore.
Alex was about to shower when he heard noise downstairs.
"Could you please go up and tell him again? It's really urgent, or I wouldn't disturb Mr. Baker!"
It was his assistant.
Alex headed downstairs right away. At the corner, he saw the assistant pacing anxiously, face full of worry like something big had happened.
Alex furrowed his brow. "What happened?"
The assistant jumped at the sudden cold voice. "Mr. Baker! Miss Johnson's flight info shows she's at the airport now, boarding soon!"
The man paused on the stairs, his hand dropping from his temple.
When he looked up, his aura was chilling. "What did you say?"
The assistant trembled but pushed on. "Miss Johnson's flight arrived on time..."
"Didn't I tell you to watch her 24/7?"
The assistant almost cried. "Mr. Moore hid Miss Johnson's itinerary on purpose—no public info. They only released the flight details half an hour before takeoff today. We just got the message."
Alex's face went completely dark. "Matthew went too?"
Him again.
Since Emily wanted a divorce, this guy had been around nonstop.
The chill in the room made everyone's heart race.
Servants and assistant didn't dare breathe loud.
Anyone could see Mr. Baker was pissed!
While the assistant figured out what to say, Alex narrowed his eyes, grabbed his coat, and strode out.
He slung the coat over his arm, full of menace.
The assistant was stunned and hurried after him. "Mr. Baker, might be too late to catch up now!"
Alex didn't stop. "Shut up!"
The car sped wildly to the airport as fast as possible.
The assistant gripped the passenger handle tight, hairs standing on end from fear.
He'd worked with Mr. Baker for years—never seen him this worked up.
At the terminal, the Paris flight was already boarding.
"Mr. Baker, Miss Johnson might be on the plane by now."
Just a matter of takeoff.
Alex's gaze swept the crowd like a hawk, sharp and cold, his face getting darker.