Chapter 2 A Friend Under MyRoof
1431 Words
“You mean... you want to live here with me?” Emily asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
Vivian lowered her head and forced a smile.
“I don't really have a choice, Emily. Ever since the orphanage burned down, I've been struggling. I've been staying in cheap apartments and moving from one place to another.”
Emily's expression softened immediately.
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I didn't want to burden you.”
“Burden me?” Emily grabbed her hand. “You're my best friend. We grew up together. You could never be a burden to me.”
Vivian smiled.
“You haven't changed.”
“And I never will.”
Just then, footsteps echoed behind them.
Daniel walked into the living room.
Emily turned immediately.
“Daniel!”
Daniel smiled.
“What's going on?” Emily walked toward him.
“Vivian doesn't have a place to stay.”
Daniel glanced at Vivian.
“Really?”
Vivian nodded. “It's only temporary, sir.”
Emily held Daniel's arm.
“Can she stay here?” Daniel looked at Emily's hopeful face.
He couldn't refuse her. “If that's what you want.”
Emily jumped happily. “Thank you!”
Vivian smiled politely.
“Thank you, Mr. Drake.”
But inside, her heart was racing.
The mansion was even more beautiful than she remembered.
Everything about Daniel screamed wealth and power.
For the first time, Vivian wondered what it would feel like to live Emily's life.
The next morning, sunlight poured through the curtains.
Emily stretched lazily before sitting upright.
A smile appeared on her face.
Life had never felt so perfect.
She had a loving fiancé.
She had reunited with her childhood friend.
Everything seemed to be falling into place.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Emily frowned.
“So early?”
She quickly walked downstairs and opened the door.
“Vivian!”
“Good morning.”
Emily laughed.
“You don't have to knock. This is your home too.”
Vivian walked inside.
“Thank you.”
The two women settled into the living room.
“Have you found a job yet?” Emily asked.
Vivian shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Don't worry. We'll figure something out.”
“Why are you always helping everyone?” Vivian asked suddenly.
Emily looked confused.
“What do you mean?”
“You always put others first.”
Emily laughed softly.
“Maybe because I know what it feels like to have nobody.”
For a brief second, guilt flashed across Vivian's face. Then it disappeared.
Daniel came downstairs wearing a black suit.
Emily immediately stood up.“You look handsome.”
Daniel chuckled. “And you look beautiful.”
Vivian watched them quietly.
A strange feeling twisted inside her chest.
Daniel walked toward the door.
“I'm heading to work.”
“Take care,” Emily said.
Daniel leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“See you tonight.”
After he left, Vivian stared at the closed door.
“Wow.”
Emily laughed.
“What?”
“Your fiancé is handsome.”
Emily immediately narrowed her eyes.
“Don't even think about it.”
Both women burst into laughter.
But Vivian's smile wasn't completely genuine.
A month later.
The city couldn't stop talking about the wedding.
Daniel Drake and Emily Rose had officially become husband and wife.
The ceremony was grand. Reporters crowded outside. Business leaders attended.
Everyone wanted a glimpse of the billionaire CEO and his beautiful bride.
Emily stood beside Daniel, tears filling her eyes.“I can't believe this is happening.”
Daniel gently squeezed her hand. “Believe it.”
“You really married me.” Daniel smiled.
“Who else would I marry?” Emily laughed through her tears.
At that moment, she truly believed she would spend the rest of her life with him.
Vivian stood among the guests.
She watched Daniel place the wedding ring on Emily's finger.
Applause erupted.
Everyone celebrated.
Everyone except Vivian.
Because for the first time, jealousy settled deep inside her heart.
Months passed.
Emily adapted perfectly to married life.
Every morning she prepared breakfast.
Every evening she waited for Daniel to return home.
No matter how busy he was, he always made time for her.
One afternoon, Emily carried lunch to Daniel's office.
She entered excitedly. “Surprise!”
Daniel immediately stood up. “Emily.”
“What?”
“How many times have I told you not to come here alone?”
Emily pouted “I brought food.”
“You should be resting,” he said.
“I missed you.” she replied.
Daniel sighed helplessly. “You're impossible.”
Emily laughed. “Say thank you.”
“Thank you.” She smiled proudly.
“I knew you loved me.”Daniel pulled her closer.
“Very much.”
Outside the office, Vivian watched everything through the glass wall.
Her hands slowly tightened.
Why did Emily always get everything?
Why?”
Time continued to pass. Then the questions started.
Questions from Daniel's relatives.Questions from shareholders.
Questions from everyone.
“When are you having children?” “Who will inherit the company?”
“Have you thought about an heir?”
At first, Daniel ignored them.
But eventually the pressure became impossible to escape.
One evening, he returned home looking exhausted.
Emily immediately noticed. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Daniel.”
He sighed. “My grandmother called again.”
Emily's smile faded.
“She asked about children?”
Daniel nodded. Silence filled the room.
“We still have time,” Emily said softly.
Daniel forced a smile. “Yeah.”
But neither of them sounded convinced.
Another year passed.
Still no child. Emily tried to stay positive.
She visited doctors. Changed her diet.
Followed every recommendation.
But nothing happened.
One afternoon, Daniel finally snapped.
“I think you should visit the hospital again.”
Emily froze.
“What?”
“Let's do a complete examination.”
Pain flashed across her face.
“You think something is wrong with me?”
“I didn't say that.”
“You don't have to.”
Daniel remained silent.
Emily's eyes became red.
“All this time I've been trying.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you treating me like this?”
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“I just want answers.”
“So do I.”
For the first time in years, they slept facing opposite directions.
The following day, Vivian accompanied Emily to the hospital.
Inside Dr. Elise Harper's office, Emily nervously twisted her fingers.
“What if something is wrong with me?”
Vivian placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Everything will be fine.”
After several examinations, Dr. Elise returned. She smiled warmly.
“Emily.”
Emily immediately stood. “Yes?”
“There's nothing wrong with you.”
Emily blinked. “What?”
“You're perfectly healthy.”
Relief washed over her, tears filled her eyes.
“Really?”
Dr. Elise nodded.
“Your body is fine.” Emily laughed through her tears.
“Thank God.” Vivian forced a smile.
But disappointment flashed across her face.
Back at the mansion, Emily excitedly showed Daniel the results. “See?”
Daniel glanced at them. “You're healthy.”
“Yes.” But instead of relief, he looked strangely distant.
Emily noticed immediately.
“Daniel?”
“I'm tired.” Without another word, he walked upstairs.
Emily stood there in silence.Something was changing. And she didn't know how to stop it.
Over the following months, Daniel spent more time at work.
He stopped coming home early.
He stopped calling.
The distance between them continued to grow.
Meanwhile, Vivian was always around.
Listening, Comforting,Encouraging.
Slowly becoming someone Daniel relied on.
One evening, Daniel and Vivian left the office together.
Rain poured heavily outside.
Vivian removed her jacket and placed it over his shoulders.
“You should take care of yourself. Daniel looked at her.
“Thank you.”
For a brief moment, their eyes met. Neither looked away.
That night, Emily waited for Daniel until midnight.
Then one o'clock.
Then two.
Finally, she fell asleep on the couch.
When Daniel returned home, he found her there.
A blanket covered her body, tears stained her cheeks.
Daniel stared at her silently. Guilt filled his chest.
But instead of waking her up, he simply walked away.
Neither of them noticed Vivian watching from the shadows.
A slow smile appeared on her face.
Everything was happening exactly as she wanted.
And soon...
Emily's perfect world would come crashing down.
Very soon.
- Writer
