Chapter 18
With that single sentence, he destroyed Sophia’s last hope.
She collapsed to the ground, howling in despair.
Emma heard about Sophia’s fate from Ryan.
“Talon came looking for you the other day.”
Hearing Ryan suddenly mention him, Emma was confused: “Why bring him up all of a sudden?”
For some time now, their lives had been peaceful, with Talon seemingly finally respecting her wishes and staying away.
With Emma’s memory recovery and subsequent/declaration to him, Ryan was completely at ease regarding Talon, having lost any sense of rivalry.
“He came to tell you that he’s investigated everything and Sophia’s been sent to prison.”
Ryan paused before continuing: “He said he trampled on your feelings for 7 years, and now it’s his turn to pursue you.”
Emma wasn’t touched by Talon’s words at all, making a gagging gesture to Ryan.
They both burst into laughter.
“Emma, do you really not love him anymore?”
Emma planted a kiss on Ryan’s cheek: “I’ve answered this question many times. Here’s my final answer.
“Emma Pierce loves and will only ever love Ryan Morgan.”
Hearing Emma’s answer, Ryan.immediately knelt on one knee, producing a ring.
“Though this proposal is a bit sudden, I can’t wait any longer.”
14:41
Chapter 18
“Emma, will you marry me?”
Looking at Ryan kneeling before her, there was no cheering crowd or elaborate setting, but Emma could hear her own rapid heartbeat and the voice in her heart urging, “Say yes.”
“I do.”
After returning from Los Angeles, Talon fell into depression, locking himself in his house and drinking day and night regardless of the hour.
When Zoe opened the door, she was greeted by the strong smell of alcohol and had to step back before pinching her nose and entering.
Talon sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa. Seeing someone arrive, his eyes briefly lit with hope.
When he saw it was Zoe, that hope quickly dimmed.
“Brother, stop drinking.”
Zoe took the bottle from Talon’s hand.
Talon grabbed another bottle and took a large gulp.
“Why are you here?”
Zoe kicked Talon lightly, impatiently replying: “Afraid you’d drink yourself to death.”
N A
Despite her harsh words, Zoe cared deeply for her brother and had made him a hangover soup.
Talon looked at the soup but didn’t take it.
Zoe set the bowl on the coffee table: “This is from Emma’s recipe.”
At the mention of Emma’s name, Talon’s eyes finally showed some reaction. He picked up the soup and took a sip.
The familiar taste brought tears to his eyes, mixed with the saltiness of tears, he drank the soup completely.
1441
Chapter 18
“Can you help me plead with Emma? I really was wrong, I was so wrong.‘
Talon said this while sobbing.
Zoe had promised Emma she wouldn’t interfere in her relationship with Talon and was
about to refusé.
But seeing her brother’s pale face, disheveled appearance, and the air of depression surrounding him, Zoe couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Zoe sighed: “I’ll help you ask about Emma’s feelings.”
When Zoe got home, just as she was about to call Emma, she received a call from Emma
instead.
“Zoe, I’m getting married. I’d like you to be my bridesmaid.”
Years ago, when Emma was pursuing Talon, she had told Zoe that when she married Talon, she wanted Zoe as her bridesmaid.
Though the groom wasn’t Talon now, Zoe still remembered that promise.
Hearing Emma say she was getting married, Zoe was so shocked she couldn’t speak.
“Zoe? Zoe?”
Only when Emma called her name did Zoe snap back to reality.
“Of course, Emma. I’ll definitely be your bridesmaid,”
Zoe swallowed the questions she had intended to ask on Talon’s behalf.
Though Zoe tried to hide it, Emma detected something off in her tone.
“Zoe, is there something you want to tell me?”
Zoe hesitated before asking “Nothing. When’s the wedding?”
Zoe felt that if Emma was getting married, she must have found someone who truly loved her.
Chapter 18
After all the pain Emma suffered because of her brother, now that she had found happiness, Zoe as her friend should congratulate her.
As for her brother, this was the consequence of his poor judgment.
When Zoe next visited Talon, he immediately asked about Emma: “What did Emma say?”
“She’s getting married.”
Zoe watched as her brother’s straight spine suddenly bent, as if all his energy had been drained away, his entire being suddenly deflated.
“Brother, Emma has moved on. You should too.”
Talon didn’t respond, just remained silent.
The day before Zoe left for Los Angeles, Talon found her and handed her a jewelry box.
“This is a comb I made myself. Give it to her as a wedding gift.‘
Who “her” was needed no explanation.
“I’ll pass it to her.”
“Don’t pass it on–don’t tell her it’s from me.”
Talon was quiet for a moment before adding:
“If she knows it’s from me, she won’t accept it.”
Zoe took the box without further comment.
11
Before the ceremony, Zoe gave the jewelry box to Emma: “A wedding gift for you. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.”
Emma opened the box to find a handcrafted sandalwood comb. She paused momentarily before handing the box back.
“Did Talon ask you to give this to me?”
Chapter 18
Zoe was surprised she knew.
Back when handmade gifts were trending, Emma had learned from others and made a sachet, insisting Talon accept it. Emma never expected Talon to make her a comb–she only hoped he might buy her one.
The gift she had once desperately wished for now ironically came to her through this twist of fate, which Emma found somewhat amusing.
“I’m getting married. It’s not appropriate to accept this. Please return it to him.”
Zoe sighed and put the comb away.
With Zoe’s help, Emma put on her wedding dress and was walked down the aisle by her father toward Ryan.
“I’m entrusting Emma to you now. Always be good to her.”
Ryan took Emma’s hand, tears welling in his eyes: “I will.”
The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly.
“The bride and groom will now exchange rings.”
As Ryan kissed Emma, he glimpsed Talon in the farthest corner of the hall.
Their gazes met, and Ryan pointed toward Talon with his and Emma’s joined hands.
Talon’s mouth filled with bitterness as he left the wedding hall.
He would never be the one to accompany Emma through life.
“Ryan, who were you gesturing to just now?”
“No one important.”
Emma set aside her thoughts, looking at the man before her. Their fingers intertwined as they shared a kiss before family and friends–she had found her true happiness.
