Chapter 1

• Verse 1:
• I gave you all, but it wasn’t enough,
• Now I’m drowning in the weight of your love.
• Empty promises, cold goodbyes,
• I’m screaming loudly where no one hears me cry.
• Chorus:
• How could you break me and just walk away?
• I’m hollow inside, but I smile anyway.
• The pain cuts deep — I bleed, I fall,
• But I’m still standing, though I’ve lost it all.
• …….
• This is probably the thousandth time Emily has sung this song by James Arthur. Having locked herself in her room for weeks after her breakup with Steven, this song is her only comfort at the moment.
• She heard a knock on her door. As usual, it was probably her mother either telling her to come out to eat or wanting to talk.
• Susan, having hit her rock bottom, yelled angrily, “Emily, seriously? You’re starving yourself over a boy who’s probably out having the time of his life.
• Come on, I raised you better than this!” lying in bed for weeks crying over that brat! for nothing? I’m leaving here, and this will be the last time I will come here knocking on your door, nor will your dad and brother try to cheer you up!”
• Bawling into her pillow, “Her hands clenched the pillow, nails digging into the fabric as her breath came in shallow bursts.
• ”It was time to face the truth—she couldn't keep letting him control her happiness, and maybe, just maybe, it was time to start focusing on herself again.
• After crying countless times today, she asked herself how pathetic she had been.
• “I have lived a lie for the last five years, making a fool out of myself!… I did everything to be a good girlfriend; I was just a replica of the original! How pathetic, Emily! Now my family is hurting because of my choices! What a waste!
• Right now I’m going to live because there are people who love me and are hurting because I’m in this state.
• “A shaky laugh escaped her lips, tears still clinging to her cheeks. For the first time in weeks, the thought of living felt possible — not for him, but for herself.”
• She cracked the door to her room and led herself down to have breakfast with her family. The family of three eating in silence heard strides from the stairs. Emily had lost a lot of weight, and rather than her usual vibrant and cheerful demeanor, she seemed hollow.
• “Hey, sorry it took me a while to join you guys. ”Glancing at each other, Susan and George were shocked (her parents).
• “Oh great, now that you’re out of your cave, I have to share Mom and Dad again? You’ve got tricks, Emi—I seriously underestimated you.”Ian is Emily’s brother.
• Trying to break the silence, Ian joked.”Emily is only a year older than her brother; they both share their love and affection in different ways; they’re always at each other’s throats.
• “This is not the time to say such things to your sister! George said. Don’t worry about him; aside from this facade, he was worried about you,“ Susan chimed in.
• Emily knew he was trying to annoy her on purpose but in a good way. ”I know”, she said softly.
• If only she had listened to her family five years back, she wouldn’t be in this situation; that is why she decided to not hurt them any further.
• “As she sat down with her family, a memory from years ago surfaced—one that changed everything.”
• Five years ago, Emily attended a birthday party at Jackson’s mansion; it was Felicia’s fourteenth birthday party. As the eldest daughter and first child of the Jackson family, a lavish dinner party was held.
• Prominent figures such as the Hutchison family, who were the most famous and influential family in the whole country, and that of Maywin! The Jacksons were rich but not the wealthiest family in Maywin; the Hutchison family made an appearance at the dinner party, and so did the Watson family.
• The Jacksons have a close relationship with the Watson family; their families have had that relationship since before George and John, Felicia’s dad, were born and nobody dares to break this relationship.
• The Watson group has quite a good connection and reputation even though they are not as rich as Hutchison and the rest of the family in the top five; they were quite relevant and decent.
• Hutchison made an appearance to close a deal and as a courtesy for future business cooperation.
• The main event was held in a large hall of the mansion, while the playground was decorated for the kids to have their playtime and all that.
• Even though it was a birthday dinner, it was disguised as a business dinner.
• Emily had no idea Steven was present; she and Ian were led to the playground to be with other kids while their parents were at the banquet, probably signing deals.
• Her brother walked towards someone who caught her eye but couldn’t get a glimpse of him as Ian was standing in front of him.
• She approached Felicia; it turned out she was not having a great time at all. “This was supposed to be my birthday party, not some business event! Felicia snapped.
• My mom ditched me here in a playground; I’m eighteen years old, not five!“ Her outburst drew the attention of the kids nearby.
• She sighed and forced a smile.“ What are you looking at? Keep playing; enjoy the party,” she said. Emily stepped in.
• I’m sorry, forgive her manners; she’s overwhelmed.
• Carry on!” She waved awkwardly before dragging Felicia towards the poolside for some air. They sat quietly for a while.
• Felicia sighed. “Steven traveled long hours here to be the favorite uncle, but here we are stuck at a playground" .Emily blinked.”Steven is here ?”
• “I guess someone is shocked to see me”. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned towards the voice. There he was — Steven.
• Tall, smiling so close that she can barely breathe. Her voice faltered. “It’s…. you,” she said. Looking at his face without batting an eye.
• “Why are you staring at him like that? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Ugh…seriously you’re embarrassing me.” “Ian Watson, I will deal with you," Emily snapped.
• Snapping back to reality, Emily noticed her brother standing beside Steven. She jumped to her feet and chased after him, as Steven and the others laughed heartily.
• Everyone there was familiar with these two, as they had always behaved like this at every opportunity at any event.
• She had loved Steven ever since she was ten years old. Steven was the youngest brother of Mrs. Jackson, born when their parents were older.
• At just five years old he lost them in a tragic robbery.
• So when Mrs. Jackson got married, he would visit during the holidays from school and go to the countryside to be with his aunt.
• “Snapping at the sound of the maid calling her name, Emily. Finished her meal.” she realized it was time to clean up more than just her emotions. Her room, untouched for weeks, needed the same fresh start she was giving herself.”
• Everyone was surprised at the same time, silently rejoicing that she had at least left her room today and was socializing a bit.