Chapter 4 Nothing at All

Emily trudged through the rain all night, barefoot, her feet cut and bleeding from the stones on the road. She stumbled forward, her face soaked with a mix of rain and tears, her hair plastered to her skin.

Who knew how long she had been walking, but eventually, the rain started to let up. A cold wind blew, making her shiver. She finally looked up and saw the backyard of the Johnson Villa, where Ava Davis, her mom, was buried.

'I ended up at Ava's grave without even realizing it,' Emily thought, letting out a bitter laugh. 'Seems like there's nowhere else for me but here.'

Ava had passed away when Emily was just a kid. In Emily's memories, Ava was always gentle and kind. She'd do Emily's hair, cook amazing meals, respond to her pouts, and hold her close, comforting her. Ava and Aiden had spoiled her, making her an innocent, happy girl.

But then Ava got diagnosed with lung cancer, and the disease took its toll. Aiden's smile faded along with Ava's health. As the illness wore her down, Ava lost weight, and her bright eyes grew sad.

Emily was too young to grasp what death meant. All she knew was when she wanted to go to the amusement park with her parents, Ava would just pat her head and say only Aiden could take her from now on.

Emily was upset; she wanted both her parents with her. But she obediently rested her head on Ava's lap, hoping she'd get better soon.

Back then, Aiden was still good to Emily, spending all his time by Ava's side, hoping she'd recover. But soon, Ava's hair fell out in clumps, and her face lost its color.

Ava was fading fast, kept alive by a ventilator. When she was awake, her glances at Emily were filled with a confusing, unreadable emotion. Now that Emily had her own child, she understood that look in Ava's eyes—it was reluctance.

Just like Emily didn't want to leave Michael, Ava must have felt the same about leaving her.

Aiden's visits became less frequent, and Emily couldn't figure out the emotions in his eyes when he did show up. Ava grew sadder, as if she knew something was coming, spending her days on the phone, making arrangements.

Emily stayed by Ava's hospital bed, watching her decline. Ava ultimately lost her battle, collapsing during surgery.

In her final moments, Ava called Emily close and whispered, "Emily, I will be gone soon. You have to take good care of yourself."

Ava passed away, and as per her wishes, her grave was to be placed in the backyard of the Johnson Villa. It was quiet and safe there, but more importantly, Ava wanted to watch over Emily.

Emily wanted to tell Ava she didn't want her to go, that she wanted her to get better. But she was too young, only able to hold Ava's limp arm helplessly, her eyes wide open without crying.

The sound of others sobbing and the piercing beeps of the machines filled her ears. Emily didn't know why everyone was so noisy, but the unfamiliar fear and pain rising in her heart told her she had lost something very important.

Aiden shed tears, bending over Ava's hospital bed. That was the last time Emily saw Aiden's tenderness.

Ava was actually a great mom. In life, she was gentle and loving, teaching Emily everything. Even as she was dying, Ava left a large sum of money in Emily's account and a will, leaving all her inheritance to Emily, but only to be fully accessed when Emily came of age. If anything happened to Emily, all the money would be donated to a charitable institution.

This money ensured Emily's survival, enabling her to live safely at the Johnson Family until she reached adulthood, despite her stepmother's dislike.

Now Emily understood the emotion in Aiden's eyes too. Aiden and Ava's marriage was a strategic alliance, a pretense of love concealing a partnership based on mutual benefit. Ava had ended the contract early, leaving all the benefits to Emily. Family bonds might hold value, but they couldn't compete with the allure of riches. Aiden couldn't help but be angry, even if Emily was his biological daughter.

In this world, besides Ava, no one could love Emily unconditionally.

After Aiden remarried, Emily was no longer the naive little girl she once was. She had to be cautious and please everyone around her, giving up her beloved toys and room, sharing Aiden's love with others.

Emily lost Ava, and after that, her childhood and family. That's why Emily was so eager to marry into the Smith Family and have Michael with James. Michael was the child Emily gave birth to, the only person in the world who loved her wholeheartedly.

Those happy years were now about to come to an end.

The sky was barely starting to brighten, and Emily lingered at the threshold before finally stepping inside. Emily didn't want Ava to see her looking so disheveled, so vulnerable, but at this moment, she just wanted to nestle in Ava's arms.

Rainwater ran down Emily's hair, neck, and washed over every part of her body. Cold or pain, Emily didn't move. She stared at Ava's tombstone, gazing at Ava's portrait as the gentle and loving face seemed to smile at her, yet it made Emily's heart ache.

Emily closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried desperately to appear less pitiful, but it was futile. In the end, she curled up in front of Ava's grave, unable to do anything for herself. "Mommy, I'm back. I really miss you so much."