Chapter 7
1718 Words
Yoa sat silently inside his office.
The door opened, and Emma walked in.
He looked at her.
“What are you doing here? I already deposited a large sum of money into your account.”
Emma didn’t say anything. She simply walked over and sat in the empty chair nearby.
“I’m not here for money.”
Yoaquin let out a dry laugh.
“What a miracle.”
“I know, I know. I look like I’m always after money. But, Yoaquin… what are you planning to do with my daughter when I’m gone?”
Yoa immediately fell silent and looked at her.
“I’m supposed to worry about your daughter too? Look, I already took care of you and your problems. Isn’t that too much, Emma?”
Emma closed her eyes.
“Yoa, you’re the only person who can help me and my daughter. I don’t have much time left. Please, just give me this one thing. I’ve already devoted my life to you. You benefited from it too, didn’t you?”
“We both benefited from each other, Emma. And don’t forget that I’m the reason you were able to escape that filthy life.”
His voice remained calm.
“I also risked everything to help you.”
“But you wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for my help. I became a spy for you. Even though I knew they could kill me if they found out about the work I was doing for you, I didn’t care.”
Emma’s voice trembled.
“How difficult is it for you to take care of my daughter when I’m gone, Yoa?”
“She’s not my responsibility, Emma.”
His answer was cold.
“I only have a month left.”
Yoa went silent.
“The doctor said I won’t survive much longer because of this damn cervical cancer.”
He stared at her.
“You are her stepfather legally. Some people already know that Adriana is your daughter in every way that matters.”
Emma’s voice became softer.
“Please, Yoa. Don’t abandon my daughter. I don’t want the day to come when she ends up like me. I don’t want her to be alone in this world after I’m gone.”
She lowered her head.
“It’s unbearably lonely.”
“Do you even know what favor you’re asking me for, Emma?”
Emma looked up.
She became frightened when she saw the dangerous glint in his eyes.
Yoa smiled.
She immediately shook her head.
“I know that smile. Please, don’t do anything. She’s my daughter, Yoa. That’s all I’m asking you to remember.”
Her eyes began to water.
“Think about it. Don’t involve my daughter in your plans. Don’t you dare hurt her. Don’t ruin her life.”
“It depends.”
The words drained the strength from her.
Emma lowered her head and quietly cried.
“I didn’t bring her into your house so she could become another addition to your collection. Not my daughter, Yoa.”
Her voice trembled.
“She’s innocent. So innocent. I don’t want her to see how ugly this world can be. Don’t drag her into your anger.”
“What about my anger, Emma?”
His voice was suddenly colder.
“What exactly is wrong with my anger?”
Emma swallowed.
She could see that he was beginning to lose his patience.
She didn’t answer.
Instead, she let out a tired sigh.
“Have mercy on me, Yoa. I’m begging you—not as your wife on paper, but as your friend.”
She looked at him.
“I don’t want to say this, but I hope you’ll remember everything I endured for you. I became someone’s outlet against my will just to help you. I returned to the very work I had sworn to leave behind because you needed me.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I knew you had plenty of other ways to get into this position, but because of me, it became easier.”
She wiped her tears.
“How difficult is it for you to take care of my daughter?”
“You don’t know what you’re asking, Emma.”
His gaze hardened.
“Your daughter is prey, and I am the predator. And yet you’re willing to entrust her to me?”
He scoffed.
“What kind of mother are you?”
“Because I know that, out of everyone I’ve ever known, you’re still the one who can protect her best.”
Emma looked straight at him.
“I know you can protect my daughter. I know you won’t abandon her. Even if helping you came at a price, I know there is still some kindness left inside you.”
For several moments, Yoa said nothing.
Then he laughed.
It started quietly.
Soon, his laughter grew louder until he was almost in tears.
It was as if everything Emma had said was the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
“Damn! You really know how to make me laugh, Emma.”
He wiped the corner of his eye.
“I like that joke.”
Emma didn’t smile.
She simply stared at him.
Yoa stood and slipped his hands into his pockets.
“Fine.”
His expression turned serious.
“Just don’t regret whatever happens in the future. And if I fail to take care of Adriana, don’t show up in my dreams to haunt me.”
Emma stood and suddenly hugged him.
Yoa froze.
“Thank you.”
He looked genuinely surprised.
He awkwardly patted her shoulder.
After a few moments, Emma stepped away and gave him a small smile.
“Your wig is crooked.”
Yoa raised an eyebrow.
Emma laughed softly.
“Yoaquin, I know there’s a possibility that you and my daughter might develop feelings for each other. I know exactly how the two of you look at each other.”
Yoa’s expression didn’t change.
“I know where this could lead. And I won’t be around anymore to stop it.”
Emma’s voice became pleading.
“I’m begging you, not my daughter. Find someone else. Don’t give her problems, and most of all, don’t drag her into your mess.”
“She won’t be able to handle it.”
She shook her head.
“Your family is ruthless. Don’t put Yana’s life in danger.”
She corrected herself almost unconsciously, her voice breaking.
“Adriana… I want to see her happy until my last breath. Don’t take that smile away from her and replace it with pain.”
She looked at him.
“If you can give me just that, I’ll die peacefully.”
“I don’t make promises, Emma.”
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
“But you know me.”
Emma could only shake her head.
She could never read Yoa’s thoughts.
He was different from every man she had ever known.
One moment, he was warm.
The next, he was ice-cold.
But there was no one else she could trust with Adriana.
Her friends were good people, but she didn’t truly know them.
She had met most of them through Yoaquin.
“Is there really no chance for you to get better?” Yoa suddenly asked.
“I’ve sought treatment in every country you said had the best doctors.”
Emma smiled bitterly.
“But what chance do I have against this cancer? Even if I lay on top of a mountain of money and lined up the best doctors in the world, nothing would change.”
She sighed.
“I’ve reached the end of the road.”
Then she looked at him playfully.
“Why? Are you going to miss me?”
“Of course.”
Emma blinked.
She hadn’t expected that answer.
“Really?”
She laughed softly.
Yoa reached for his phone.
“I’ll deposit money into your account. I know you’ll have someone to give it to.”
He looked at her.
“Is one billion enough for you?”
Emma’s eyes widened.
“Y-You’re serious?”
“Why? When have I ever joked about money?”
His expression remained indifferent.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Emma. I’m simply honoring our deal.”
He paused.
“For every favor you give me, money will come to you like rain.”
“How about your campaign?”
“Do I look that poor to you?”
Emma fell silent.
Yoaquin wasn’t simply a billionaire.
He was a Baltazar.
He might have looked young compared to the other members of his family, but the power he held was far greater than that of many of them.
He feared no one.
And he worshipped no one but himself.
“Why don’t you tell her the truth?” Yoa asked.
“The truth?”
Emma looked down.
“That her mother has a time limit? That I have cancer?”
She shook her head.
“No. It would only make her sad. I’d rather she be shocked when I’m already gone. At least the pain will come all at once. It’s harder when you watch someone slowly disappear.”
Yoa frowned.
“You’re only hurting yourself.”
Emma smiled.
“It’s okay, as long as she’s happy. I’m at peace knowing she’ll be in good hands.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
His voice was cold.
“Yoa, I think I’ve already had enough years in this world.”
Emma sighed.
“I’m tired too. Even if I want to stay with my daughter, I can’t. I know she’ll only struggle watching me.”
She looked at him.
“Tell her the truth after I’m gone.”
“You’re giving me another task.”
Emma laughed softly.
“Then bill me in the afterlife.”
Yoa said nothing.
“There’s something else I haven’t told you.”
Yoa looked at her.
“Your father has gotten worse. I don’t know how many more people he’ll victimize.”
Emma’s expression became serious.
“Your niece… you need to save her if you don’t want her life destroyed and if you don’t want her to end up like you and your siblings.”
Yoa’s hand slowly curled into a fist.
His jaw tightened.
“When is that old man going to die?”
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