Chapter 9 He Truly Loves You

• Clutching her wine glass, Marilyn paused, setting it down with an air of intrigue, as though she had just stumbled upon a tantalizing secret. Leaning forward, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied Emilia's face intently.
• "I have a feeling I know exactly who you're talking about. Is this 'friend' of yours actually Chester?" Marilyn asked playfully.
• "No, Marilyn, don't start with your nonsense!" Emilia, already tipsy, dismissed her with a wave, leaning back and covering her face as if to conceal her emotions.
• "Nonsense? Didn't you always forbid me from mentioning Chester? Said he was humiliating! But now, it's just us, no one else around." Marilyn took a deliberate sip of her wine.
• "I'm divorced from him," Emilia confessed slowly, taking another sip.
• "What? Are you kidding me, Emilia? Chester is such a remarkable man, and you divorced him?" Marilyn exclaimed, genuinely shocked.
• "Remarkable? In what way? Just because he can do a bit of housework? What else is he good for?" Emilia's eyes, glazed with inebriation, glared as she lifted her glass for another drink.
• "Hey, stop it!" Seeing Emilia was about to take another glass, Marilyn quickly snatched the glass from Emilia's hand.
• Deprived of her glass, Emilia slumped forward, collapsing onto the table as if she had lost something irreplaceable.
• "Emilia, what's going on? Did you find out something about Chester?" Marilyn asked, moving to sit beside her.
• "Marilyn, I remember you once told me to be more attentive to Chester's feelings, right?" Emilia said, as if recalling an important memory.
• "Yes, I did say that." Marilyn nodded.
• "Why did you give me that advice?" Emilia questioned.
• "It was just a sense I had. You know, I've encountered many men, but none quite like Chester. From the moment I met him, he seemed different. He carried an air of composed dignity, a demeanor of having seen the world. That kind of presence can't be fabricated, nor can it be developed later in life; it's inherent," Marilyn mused thoughtfully.
• "That sort of presence is typical of someone raised in an influential family," Marilyn remarked, savoring her wine as if she could taste that very essence.
• "But why would he choose to be a live-in son-in-law, subjected to a life of servitude in my family, living worse than a stray dog?" Emilia rested her chin on the table, her arms framing the empty wine bottle, a bitter smile tugging at her flushed lips.
• Marilyn gently stroked Emilia's head, her gaze reflecting a hint of nostalgic innocence.
• "There's only one explanation. He truly loves you and is willing to endure anything for you," Marilyn stated softly.
• "He loves me? Yeah, right…" Emilia muttered bitterly, slumping onto the table, overwhelmed by her emotions.
• Unbeknownst to Emilia, tears began to stream down her cheeks.
• Marilyn sighed. "It's rare to find someone who values love so deeply these days."
• "Oh my, poor girl…" Marilyn whispered, gently helping Emilia up, ready to take her home.
• ...
• Emilia stirred, as if emerging from an extended dream, one where a shadowy figure of a man danced on the edges of her memory. She yearned to seize this man, yet every attempt to capture his essence slipped through her fingers...
• As consciousness gradually returned, Emilia recognized a parched sensation in her throat, realizing she was in the familiarity of her own home.
• Reaching out, she fumbled for the nightstand but found it barren and desolate.
• A soft laugh escaped her lips.
• Yeah, Chester is gone. Why is it so difficult to get used to it?
• She faintly remembered that during her nights of inebriation, Chester would always ensure a glass of water was waiting for her on the nightstand, so she wouldn't wake up thirsty. She had grown accustomed to the comfort of having water at her fingertips after nights of indulgence.
• With a slight wobble, Emilia rose from the bed, determined to pour herself a refreshing glass of water.
• "Get out! I have no money! Leave now, or I'll call the authorities!"
• As she stepped into the hallway, a raucous disturbance reached her ears.
• The commotion was unmistakably Zelda, and it was unfolding right at her doorstep!
• Swinging the door open, Emilia was met with a throng of people filling the corridor, with Zelda at the forefront, blocking their path.
• "What are you doing here?" Zelda exclaimed, trying to nudge Emilia back inside.
• "Don't go! I know her; she's Miss Parker!"
• "Repay us! Pay us back our money!"
• "Emilia, pay us now! Your family company is on the brink of failure! We need the money immediately!"
• The crowd clamored for repayment, their voices rising in unison. Emilia recognized them as representatives from the small company that provided her with raw materials. They must have learned about Callister Group's decision to terminate their contract and were now demanding their due.
• She hadn't anticipated their arrival at her home!
• "The contract is still valid! What gives you the right to demand payment now!?" Emilia asserted, shoving her way past Zelda.
• "Miss Parker, please don't take this personally; we're a small business, and we urgently require this money. Moreover, even if we wait until the contract expires, it's uncertain whether you'll be able to fulfill your obligation," a voice from the crowd interjected.
• "Exactly, pay up! Do you think you can refuse?"
• "Humph!" Emilia scoffed, fully grasping the overwhelming sensation of being cornered.
• With the workday just concluded, several neighbors stood nearby, observing the unfolding drama with smirks and whispers, deepening her humiliation.
• "Enough! You all want money, right? I'll get you some!" Emilia declared.
• "Mom, didn't Chester give you 45 thousand yesterday? Just give it to me first." Emilia turned to Zelda, desperation creeping into her voice.
• At this point, Emilia had poured all her resources into saving the company and was utterly broke.
• "What? What are you saying? That money belongs to me!" Zelda retreated, defensive.
• "Mom, what's going on? We need to settle our debts! If the company collapses and faces legal action, we'll be left with nowhere to live!" Emilia grasped Zelda's arm tightly.
• "And how did that money suddenly become yours? The company is failing; can't you help me out?" Emilia implored, her voice tinged with urgency.
• "I-I already used the money to pay off my own debts…" Zelda stammered, visibly shaken.
• "What?" Emilia stood frozen, stunned.
• She was aware of Zelda's penchant for gambling and had often noted her involvement in high-stakes games, but she never envisioned that Zelda had incurred such substantial debts.