Chapter4:SoreSpots
893 Words
Marie's headache got worse at Lucas's casual attitude.
She shook her head and turned to Marcus and Emma. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to seeing my great-grandchildren."
The moment she said this, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly got tense. Emma's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white.
This was her most sensitive topic. It pierced her heart every time someone mentioned it.
Marcus's aunt Anne immediately saw her chance.
She leaned forward with a mean smile. "Emma, you and Marcus have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will other people think of our Blake family?"
She paused with meanness shining in her eyes. "And if Marcus hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Blake family with your background? Don't be ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Marcus, but there are plenty of women out there who would."
Anne spoke with fake concern, but her eyes were full of contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law.
Talking about children made Emma's chest hurt with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in science to be a good wife. But she couldn't get pregnant.
She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Maybe it was stress. But the Blake family often mocked her, calling her worthless and saying she couldn't have children.
Just as Emma was drowning in shame, Marcus suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! You can't rush these things. We have to let nature take its course."
Then he turned to Anne. His voice was stern. "Anne, watch your words. Emma is my wife, and I won't let anyone talk to her like that."
Anne's face turned red at being told off in public. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..."
"That's enough," Marcus interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Emma and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Emma as my wife. She didn't marry up."
Emma felt confusing emotions as she listened to Marcus defend her. The love they had shared over the years was real. Marcus's protection of her had always felt genuine. He always stood between her and his family's criticism.
But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos. That necklace in the trash can. The woman's mean messages. All of it reminded her that this man had lied to her completely.
Anne clearly didn't want to let this go. She continued with fake sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pregnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things."
"Anne!" Marcus's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Emma and me. It's not your business."
In the past, Emma would have been grateful for Marcus's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow.
She knew that the moment Marcus cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private.
Halfway through the party, Marcus's phone suddenly rang.
"Sorry, everyone," Marcus said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away."
He turned to Emma. His face softened. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can."
Marie waved her hand. "Marcus, go ahead. Don't worry about Emma."
Marcus kissed Emma's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise."
As soon as Marcus's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask fell off completely. She looked at Emma with open displeasure.
"Well, now that Marcus is gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Emma's not some delicate flower," Anne said with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?"
Emma felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Marcus's protection, she meant nothing to these people.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Emma said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality."
The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, walked Emma only to the gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside.
That's when the rain started.
Big drops fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Emma's silk dress.
She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this area. The Blake estate was far from the city center.
The rain got worse fast. Within minutes, Emma was completely soaked. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress stuck uncomfortably to her skin.
Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black car slowed to a stop beside her.
The window rolled down, showing Lucas's sharp features.
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