Chapter 77

Calliope kept going, "Besides, Mia let it slip that this necklace is like an engagement token. She hinted that since you already have a boyfriend,it should go to Veda."

Calliope rolled her eyes. "I wanted to give her a piece of my mind right then. Your stuff should never go to Veda."

Emily smiled and squeezed Calliope's hand. "Thanks, Mom."

Calliope smiled back and said softly, "You're just too nice, always putting up with them. That's why they keep pushing you around. You need to stand your ground like you used to. Then they wouldn't dare mess with your things."

Emily tucked the amulet away and said, "Alright, from now on,nothing goes to Veda!"

Hearing Emily's words, Calliope finally felt at ease. "I'm always worried about you getting taken advantage of. Luckily, you spent most of your time at the Williams Mansion and didn't have to deal with too much crap."

Emily was grateful too. Even though her life before 12 was rough,things got better with the Williams family.

Sure,John was a bit much after they got married, but the Williams family made up for it. Emily felt the love from Calliope and Wilder, and the sisterly bond with Juliet, so she didn't think her life was all that bad. As Emily walked out of the mansion, she saw John and James squaring off in the courtyard. James spotted her and his expression softened.

Emily walked right past John to James, naturally taking his arm and smiling. "James,what were you two talking about?"

She looked up at James.her eyes gentle. At that moment, her serene beauty outshone everything around them. Jealousy flared in John's heart.

James's gaze softened as he looked at Emily, and he said gently,"Nothing important.let's go."

Emily smiled. They turned to leave, and James shot a challenging look at John. "Mr. Williams,see you around."

Watching them walk away happily, John's heart ached.

He didn't know when it happened, but he realized there was no place for him in Emily's heart anymore.

John quickly caught up and grabbed Emily's arm, pulling her back forcefully.

When Emily and James were dancing at her birthday party, and when they were sitting together in the mansion, John wanted to separate them.

Still a bit drunk. John spoke with a hint of authority, "Emily, you can't..."

Before he could finish, Emily flipped him over her shoulder to the ground.

A sharp pain shot through him, and John could barely hold back the throbbing pain.

This was the second time Emily had hit him, and it hurt more than the last time. Emily's actions happened in a flash. James stood by her side, stunned and unable to react.

Emily was like a thorny rose, beautiful but painful to touch.

This throw was filled with anger and resentment, as if she wanted to pay John back for all the grievances of the past three years.

Emily turned around, looking down at him coldly. "Didn't I make myself clear? If you touch me again, I won't hesitate to take you down."

Then she just grabbed James and left.

On the way back, James was in a foul mood.

When they got to Crystal Valley Manor, James kissed her without hesitation, biting her with anger and as a form of punishment.

Emily was pinned down on the sofa by him, her gaze clear because she knew James was punishing her, not being affectionate.

Emily pinched his earlobe and asked, "James, what's got you so worked up?"

In the car, Emily had been busy replying to work messages and dealing with Juliet's update about John's sprained ankle.

It wasn't until they got back to Crystal Valley Manor that Emily noticed James's cold attitude.

James gritted his teeth. "Emily, why can't you just comfort me?"

Emily sighed, sat up, pinched his face, licked her bitten lips, and said, "Look at what you did to my mouth. And you still want comfot? Besides,weren't you having a good time at the Williams Mansion today? I thought you got along with my parents. Planning to call them mom and dad next?"

James's eyes flickered with guilt but he still said confidently, "I'm upset too.Didn't you see how John provoked me?"

"I beat him up, didn't I? Do you think I went easy on him?"

Emily looked at James indulgently, then her expression turned serious. "Did you lose the argument with him just now?"

Emily took out her phone to call John, but James stopped her, puzzled. "

What are you doing?"

Emily said seriously, "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind for you."

James arrogantly replied, "I've handled it. Noneed for you to scold him."

"Then why are you angry?"

James remembered those provocative words claiming that John,having been by Emily's side for over a decade,could bring her back to him,and his mood became complicated.

Seeing his sulking face, Emily reached out and scratched his chin."Are you jealous again, my little prince?"

After much thought, Emily could only come up with this one reason.

James was just so concerned about Emily that he acted this way. But in her eyes, he came off as very immature, like a child who could be easily appeased. James lowered his head and kissed her, feeling much better. He said, "John told me that if the misunderstandings between you two were resolved, you'd go back to him. Who does he think he is? Why does he feel so superior?" James didn't feel superior to Emily. He even understood that unless he took the initiative, he and Emily would have no future.

So he was determined to keep Emily close, and anyone who coveted her was his enemy.

James said, "John is just a fool!"

Emily agreed.

James looked uncertain and asked, "Emily, you won't go back to him, will you?"

They had been intimate, but James couldn't break into Emily's heart.

Emily and John had known each other since childhood, but what was James to her?

After meeting Emily once at the age of twelve, they had no further contact.

To James, Emily was his spiritual salvation, his dream lover for nearly a decade,and a deep emotional anchor.

But Emily had long forgotten about him.