Chapter 7 They Look Like a Family of Three

The vice president was cursing while turning around, instantly putting on a fawning smile for Sophia, practically bowing at the waist.

In an instant, everyone's eyes focused on Emily. Some were there for the drama, some felt sympathy, but most were waiting to see her humiliate herself.

Emily just gave them a quick glance, said nothing, and quietly moved a big step toward the wall, clearing the entire pathway.

On her face, there was no anger at being publicly humiliated, no sense of grievance, not even a trace of extra emotion.

She was like a stranger who happened to pass by, calmly watching this ridiculous and absurd show. They could perform all they wanted—it had nothing to do with her.

When Emily walked out of the Smith Group, a light drizzle was falling outside.

The cold wind mixed with rain hit her face, yet she felt it was much more refreshing than the suffocating air in the CEO's office.

Holding her cardboard box, she didn't hail a cab, just walked slowly along the street. The rain soaked her hair and coat, the burn on the back of her hand from the hot water still ached faintly, but her heart felt an unprecedented calm.

This show performed for everyone had finally come to an end.

And it was time for her to exit the stage.

After that, Emily signed up for a senior tour group and traveled around with a bunch of healthy, easygoing middle-aged and elderly people. She felt herself slowly coming back to life.

That day, as she was thinking about where to eat, her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was her good friend Stella Hall calling.

"Hey, Emily, are you busy right now? My flight just landed. Come pick me up at the airport—I brought you a limited edition bag!" Stella's voice was always so full of energy.

Emily glanced at her watch and asked, "Perfect timing, I just went out. Which terminal are you at? I'll head over right away."

"T3 international arrivals, hurry up, my legs are going numb from standing!"

After hanging up, Emily hailed a taxi on the street and headed straight to the airport.

Forty minutes later, at the international arrivals exit.

Stella was wearing an eye-catching red dress and sunglasses, looking exactly like a celebrity just back from fashion week. As soon as she saw Emily, she rushed over and gave her a big hug.

"Oh my God, why do you look like a drowned rat? Did James bully you again?" Stella pinched her face, her eyes full of concern.

"It's a long story, let's get in the car first." Emily pulled her toward the exit.

The two were pushing a luggage cart when, just as they passed a huge pillar, Stella suddenly stopped, tugged at Emily's arm, and whispered, "Look over there, isn't that James?"

Emily's steps instinctively paused.

She had given James the divorce papers, but didn't know if he'd seen them—she still hadn't received any response from him.

Emily didn't know what James was stalling for.

She looked in the direction Stella was pointing, and her heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.

Not far away at the VIP exit, James was pushing a luggage cart out. He wasn't wearing a suit today, but had changed into a well-tailored gray casual outfit. He looked less sharp and businesslike, more gentle and homey.

And beside him was Sophia.

Sophia was wearing an outfit in the same color scheme as James, with a gentle smile on her face, looking down and talking to a little boy.

That little boy was her son, Erik.

Erik was five years old. At that moment, he was looking up with his little face, holding Sophia's hand with complete trust. Whatever Sophia was saying to him must have been funny, because he kept laughing, and that clear laughter pierced Emily's ears like needles.

Emily's mind went blank.

She quickly pulled Stella behind the pillar.

"Erik!"

Sophia crouched down and gently straightened the child's collar. Her voice wasn't loud, but in the spacious hall, it clearly reached Emily's ears. "Don't call me mommy anymore, okay? If daddy hears it, he won't be happy."

"I don't want to! I like you, I want to call you mommy." Erik pouted unhappily, then turned to look at James and called out, "Daddy..."

James reached out and ruffled Erik's hair with an indulgent smile, but said nothing else.

The three of them standing together—the handsome man, the beautiful woman, the adorable child—they really looked like... a happy family of three.

And she, Emily, was like a ridiculous clown hiding in a dark corner, spying on them.

Stella was stunned, trembling with anger as she grabbed Emily's arm. "Emily, what... what's going on? Isn't Erik your son? How is he calling that woman mommy? Who is she?"

Emily shook her head. She felt like her entire body was frozen, without a trace of warmth.

Although she had long known that James had betrayed their marriage, had long known that Erik had no love for her, his biological mother.

But now, in front of her good friend, seeing them with her own eyes looking like a family of three, so intimate—she still felt a huge gash being torn in her heart, unbearably painful.

Over there, James's assistant Indigo had already hurried over to take the luggage.

James naturally put his arm around Sophia's waist and whispered something in her ear. Sophia's cheeks flushed slightly as she shyly leaned into his embrace.

That scene made Emily's eyes sting.

She couldn't watch anymore.

"Let's go." Her voice was hoarse as she pulled Stella and walked toward another exit without looking back.

Her steps were a bit unsteady, as if she'd used up all her strength.

Stella was furious, cursing as they walked. "Bastard! James is such a bastard! How dare he treat you like this! No, I'm going back to confront him!"

"Don't." Emily held her back, her voice soft but with an unquestionable firmness. "There's no point."

Yes, there was no point.

Getting angry over such a person, feeling sad over such a man—it would only dirty her own heart.

Just as they turned to leave, James, who was talking to Sophia, seemed to catch a familiar figure in his peripheral vision.

He instinctively turned to look, only seeing the backs of two women hurrying away. One of them looked so much like... Emily?

James frowned, then laughed at himself.

How could that be possible.

Emily was probably still throwing a tantrum at him, hiding in some corner waiting for him to find her and coax her. How could she be at the airport?

He must have been seeing things.