Chapter 94

James had been hanging out by the door. When he saw Emily step out,his eyes lit up. But before he could say anything, Emily blurted out,"James,I'm starving."

He felt a wave of relief wash over him.

James scooped her up, carried her to the kitchen, and set her down on a chair."I'll whip up something fresh. Just hang tight."

James was in his comfy home clothes, which made him look more relaxed.

But he was also wearing this silly little tiger apron. The tiger wasn't fierce like the ones from a few days ago; it was more on the cute side. And the apron was way too small for him.

It made him look kind of ridiculous, but it didn't take away from his good looks. If anything, it made him look even cuter.

The golden evening sun streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow on James. It was like a scene from a painting.

Emily walked over barefoot, slowly approached James, hugged him from behind, and said, "James, I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore. I think you're more appetizing."She nuzzled against the back of his neck, kissing and nibbling affectionately. James felt tears on the back of his neck but didn't say anything until she bit him. She turned his face towards her and kissed him on the lips. James's eyes darkened, and he heard Emily say softly, "James, I've never seen you cry."

James felt a bit helpless. "Do you want to see me cry?"

Emily blinked but stayed silent. She could see his face turning red.

"Emily,if you keep this up, you'll be the one crying later."

Emily quickly let go of him.

She hadn't eaten or slept for three days; her body was too weak for intimacy right now.

Emily raised her hands in surrender, smiling. "You cook first. I'm really hungry."

There was porridge simmering on the stove,so he served her a bowl first.

After finishing the porridge, Emily felt warmer and more comfortable.

Dinner wwas all her favorites, but the flavors were mild.

James didn't want her to get an upset stomach from anything too strong.

James kept watching Emily as she ate.

She looked the same as usual, like she had already bounced back. She had been through so much. The past was a constant knife wound;it cut deep with every step she took towards the present. Her foster parents and biological parents didn't love her. Behind her sunny exterior were hidden scars. Emily had never shown her true self to him.

Her emotions and feelings were all a front.

"Emmy, I'm sorry," James said suddenly, making Emily pause.

Her mind raced. "Do you have someone else?"

James lost his cool and said, a bit exasperated, "Emily!"

Emily chuckled, then got serious. "James, I need you to help me find someone."

James took a deep breath and said, "Everett,right?"

At the mention of Everett, Emily's fingers tightened, and she nodded.

"I want him to spend his whole life in prison!"

These past days, Emily had been thinking about this, but she couldn't dwell on it forever.

What happened to her wasn't her fault.

The real culprits were the abuasers, and they had to pay for what they did.

Even if it meant testifying in court, she was ready. These jerks couldn't get away with it.

James, with a blank expression, said, "Everett's already dead."

Emily was stunned. "Did you do it?" James looked up and slowly shook his head. "No,he died three years ago."He continued, "Two days after your incident, they found Everett's body in an abandoned steel factory. The cops called it a suicide. He had no family,and there were no clues at the scene."

Emily frowned,feeling something was off about Everett's death.

But there was no point in digging any deeper.

Emily sneered. "Well, serves him right."

James sighed. "Everett's gone. You need to let this go and stop torturing yourself."

James had been looking into Emily's condition and was really worried.

Emily, dealing with affective disorders, depression, and mania, seemed carefree, but he knew she was in a lot of pain.

James took her hand. "I know it's hard to let go, but I'll always be here for you. Emily, I won't ever let go of your hand."

Emily furrowed her brows, slowly pulling her hand back. "James, don't say that. It makes me misunderstand."

She couldn't love anyone.

Emily smiled again. "With our relationship, saying that is pointless."

James sighed inwardly. If he pushed it, she might want to distance herself again. James pressed his lips together and finally said, "Fine, we'll do it your way.

Life seemed to go back to normal after that.

Veda was still causing trouble, not wvanting to go abroad, but John was firm.

There was trouble at the Johnson Group, like some force was putting pressure on them.

After Veda reluctantly went abroad, the crisis at the Johnson Group was resolved.

Veda was in a bad mood, so Mia went to take care of her for a while.

Emily didn't know if she should be sad about this, but life had to go on.

However, Emily noticed her insomnia was geting worse, and the sleeping pills Gerald prescribed weren't enough anymore.

If it were a wound, it would scab over and heal.

But insomnia was like a worm burrowing into her bones, crawling in the cracks every night,causing pain, exhaustion, and irritability.

In this situation, Emily had to go back to Gerald.

In the counseling room, Gerald looked at her lying lazily on the couch.

Emily said, "Dr. Rivera, why can't I sleep?"

She closed her eyes wearily, but sleep wouldn't come. Her brain and body were both screaming.

Gerald said softly, "Emily, dwelling too much on the past can harm you and others, and you've been exhausting yourself."

Emily casually replied, "I really don't care anymore."

Gerald knew everything that had happened and asked, "You really don't care?"

Emily didn't answer, her eyes turning cold.