The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"Really? I had no idea he had plans this Sunday," Emily said.

Jessica quickly dialed Emily's number. She was the type who couldn't keep things to herself, and she didn't hold back her complaints about Michael to his wife.

"Michael's bailed on me more than once, Emily. Don't you think he's being a jerk?"

Emily chuckled softly on the other end of the line. In truth, she didn't know what Michael had planned for Sunday either. It seemed Jessica was just as clueless, so despite her curiosity, Emily didn't ask.

Smith Corporation had been incredibly busy lately, and Michael had been practically living at the office. Emily felt sorry for him and had even arranged for Ava to prepare nutritious lunches for him all week. Now it seemed she could skip Sunday.

"Yeah, that's pretty unfair. Let me find out what's going on and make sure he gives you an explanation."

The response came quickly from the other end.

"I wouldn't dare! Michael being busy is understandable. I just needed to vent. I know the Smith family has a lot going on lately. Mr. Mason Smith is sick, so it's normal for Michael to be busy!

"Work stuff isn't a problem. We've been friends for a long time; we'll sort it out when the time comes!"

Jessica seemed to have calmed herself down. She had been angry, but now she had talked herself out of it.

Emily couldn't help but laugh.

The two chatted a bit more before hanging up. Emily's curiosity hadn't been satisfied, and the next moment, she heard her phone chime again.

Emily picked up the phone, but the smile Jessica had brought to her face quickly faded.

It was Sophia. She had sent a birthday invitation for Sunday.

At that moment, Emily felt a familiar pain in her chest, like a rusty juicer squeezing her heart. As her awareness sharpened, the pain intensified, and her limbs began to tremble uncontrollably.

Emily's mind raced back to many memories-she and Michael in Everglade City, their kisses and embraces, and how close they had come to something more. Michael had kept apologizing to her, saying it was all his fault.

Michael had said Sophia had plagiarized her work, that it was all Sophia's doing.

But now?

Now Michael was ditching work on Sunday to attend Sophia's birthday, and Sophia had sent Emily an invitation just to rub it in her face.

It was like another slap across her face.

So, Michael had been deceiving her all along.

Emily had thought Michael changed, but he ran back to Sophia whenever she beckoned. His feelings for Emily were like a lake freezing over in winter, slowly cooling until they evaporated completely.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Emily went to the hospital.

She had planned to go home and take care of Isabella today, but Veda had called her last minute, saying she had an extra class and no one to look after Mason. She asked if Emily wanted to hire a nurse for Mason.

Emily thought it over and decided it was best to go herself.

Danger could strike at any moment, especially with someone like Scarlett around. Who knew what irrational things she might do to Mason out of spite?

Emily was more worried that Scarlett would show up again and bring more trouble to this already fragile family. The hospital room was quiet, with only the sound of the IV drip breaking the silence.

Emily savored the moment of peace. But her heart was still unsettled by Michael's choices and Sophia's provocations. She couldn't understand why Michael was treating her this way or how long he and Sophia planned to toy with her.

Despite everything, Emily decided to set her personal feelings aside and focus on the task at hand. She carefully checked Mason's condition and, once she was sure everything was fine, she breathed a small sigh of relief.

Emily knew she had to stay vigilant and not let anything interfere with Mason's recovery. She decided to stay at the hospital until Veda finished her class and could take over.

Time passed slowly in the quiet room. Emily sat by the bed, watching the motionless Mason, and her mind drifted back to this time last year. Back then, Emily had also been sitting by a hospital bed, holding an apple, watching the immobile Isabella, while her thoughts wandered to Smith Corporation and Michael.

Emily never imagined that another year would pass, and she would still be thinking about Michael. She couldn't help but find herself a bit ridiculous, to the point where she couldn't help but look down on herself.

Fate had a way of playing cruel tricks. The more you didn't want something, the more it came your way.

The door to the hospital room suddenly opened, snapping Emily back to reality. She turned her head to see Michael standing at the door, looking just as surprised to see her.

"Isn't Veda supposed to be here today? Why are you here?" Michael asked casually. He was genuinely grateful to Emily. Even though Isabella had been taken to the police station because of Scarlett's accusations, Emily still showed kindness to Mason. Michael knew Emily had always been a kind-hearted person.

"What? I can't be here?" Emily was already upset and had no intention of being polite to Michael.

Michael was taken aback. He set down the bouquet he was holding and looked at Emily's cold expression with concern. "Who upset you? Why are you so unhappy?"

Emily looked at Michael, feeling that his concern was now utterly worthless. "Michael, can you stop playing games with me? Do you think this is fun? I thought I had the power to make you change, but now I see I was wrong. You've always loved Sophia. So why did you come to Everglade City..."

Thinking back to Everglade City, Emily felt like a foolish woman trapped in a utopia. Her feelings seemed worthless, like trash to be discarded.noveldrama

"If you love her, you shouldn't have messed with me. I could have had a better life, Michael. You dragged me down. You refused to divorce me. You made me into what I am today!"

With that, Emily intended to leave. Since Michael was here, she would arrange for a nurse for Mason. She had always put the Smith family first, but in the end, she was just being overly solicitous.

She had dragged her own child into this mess, and now Isabella was caught up in it

too.

Thinking of this, Emily looked at Michael, her eyes welling up with tears. She turned her head, swallowing the lump in her throat. Emily didn't want Michael to see her vulnerability.