Chapter 17
Chapter 17 Luc Gets Angry
Lisa dropped Emma off in the Brookline neighborhood and drove away it was only later that she remembered she had forgotten to give her the gift she brought back from the seaside
She quickly called Emma “Hey, Emma! I forgot to give you the present I bought. Remind me next time, okay?”
Hehe never mind I wasn’t expecting anything great from you anyway!” Emma replied, ready to hang up without waiting for Lina’s protest
Emma how
w could you dismiss a gift
It brought for you? Hmph!”
an interesting evening!
But Lisa felt pleased–Emma’s usual aloof demeanor was finally returning! Luc was in for a
She silently wished Luc good luck
When Emma arrived home, her mother, Catherine Pierce, looked surprised. “Emma, why are you home so early? Where’s Luc?”
Seeing she was alone, Emma shut the door, a frown on her face
“Emma,” her mother said somewhat disgruntled, “as a wife, you should have brought Lue with you Coming alone to your parent’s house at this hour will only fuel gossip from the neighbors
Especially since it was past nine in the evening. While it might not matter during the day, returning home late could imply discord between the couple
The neighbors had been paying close attention ever since they found out Emma married into the prominent Taylor family. Any hint of trouble would
become juicy gossip by morning.
Emma frowned. “Mom, it’s the weekend! I missed you and Dad, so I came to visit.”
Exhausted, she just wanted to take a bath and go to bed early, but her mother continued to lecture her
Catherine sat on the sofa and turned to her husband, Sam Johnson. Martha next door asked about Luc the other day. She said he was handsome and a
doctor who studied abroad. She thinks our daughter is very lucky. Emma, why don’t you bring Luc over for dinner sometime? cook. Your father’s
cooking isn’t up to par.”
She shot a disdainful glance at Sam, who had grown accustomed to his wife’s daily complaints and had become numb to them over the years.
“Emma, your mother is right. You haven’t had dinner with Luc at home in ages–has it been half a year?”
In reality. Luc had only visited their home three times: the first when he proposed to Emma, the second after their wedding, and the third for Sam’s 50th
birthday (which Emma had to trick him into attending).
Emma knew her mother adored Luc and was very pleased with him as a son–in-law. If only she knew that Luc didn’t view her as a mother–in–law but rather
as a distant relative. What would she think?
This thought left Emma feeling drained. “Mom, let’s wait until I get back from the West. We’re all busy with work night now”
“What? You’re going to the West? For what?” Catherine suddenly stood up, moving closer and staring intently
“The medical team is sending people to the West to provide free consultations for a month or two to underserved communities. It’s my turn this time.”
“You didn’t ask Luc to speak to the hospital leaders? There are plenty of others they could have assigned. Why you?”
Catherine’s first thought was that her daughter wasn’t favored by Luc
She had always been uncertain about Emma marrying Luc. Of course, she wanted it but deep down, she felt Emma wasn’t good enough for him.
especially given their simple family background
The Taylor family was well respected in Boston’s medical community. While Emma’s appearance was acceptable, she dressed modestly and often went unnoticed in a crowd. Luc, on the other hand, was striking and charming, easily recognized by anyone.
In her eyes, Emma was no match for Luc in terms of looks, family background, or education. Thus, she worried that Luc might leave Emma someday. She
often advised Emma to learn to cook, believing that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach
“Mom, I already explained! The medical team is formed annually, and this year it’s my turn. Plus, how could we involve Luc in this? Even if the Taylor family has shares in the hospital, the leadership in not swayed by personal relationships. If they took me off the rotation due to favoritism, it would only create
unnecessary gossip
“Emma’s right, dear. There’s a s
is a system in place at the hospital. It wouldn’t be fair to put Luc in that position. If he helps Emma, would he maintain his credibility at the hospital?”
Moreover, Sam believed Luc wouldn’t help Emma. Don’t ask why–it’s just that men understand men too well. Sam thought Luc didn’t truly love his daughter. He had warned Emma before, but she had given her heart to him and insisted she would make him fall in love after marriage as if she could offer her heart on a silver platter.
Anyway, you two, father and daughter, keep teaming up to frustrate me. Fine, I won’t meddle anymore. But don’t say I didn’t warn your a married couple living apart will eventually face trouble!”
Trouble? It had already begun. If things went as planned, she would go to the courthouse to file for divorce tomorrow Well, tomorrow was Sunday, so latest would be Monday.
But she didn’t dare share this with her parents. Instead, she shrugged off the matter, saying. “Mom, if Luc wavers after just two months apart, then this
marnage isn’t worth it!
“Have you lost your mind?” Catherine exclaimed, shocked. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her face a picture of surprise
“Sam! Did you hear that? Or am I imagining things??
Sam stood up and walked over, patting Emma’s shoulder with seriousness. “Emma, whatever you decide, Dad will support you.”
These words nearly brought Emma to tears, but she held them back under her mother’s sharp gaze. Feeling a bit emotional, she turned to the side and said, “Dad, you’re the best!”
Did Dad notice something? Probably not.
“You two will be the death of me!” Catherine flounced back to her room, slamming the door.
It was around 11:00 p.m. when Luc returned to the villa in Back Bay. The living room light was on, and his usually warm, peach blossom eyes filled with warmth at the sight of home.
After changing into his house shoes, he surveyed the living
room Nothing had changed since he left. Mayline was already asleep in the maid’s quarters.
Assuming Emma was asleep in her room, he walked lightly upstairs. But as he opened the bedroom door, his anticipation instantly faded.
Emma was not there. His deep peach blossom eyes clouded over with frustration. He chocked the bathroom and found it empty. Furious, Luc punched the wall, yanked off his tie, throw it on the bed, and ground his molars. Well done, Emma! Staying out all night, are we?”