Chapter 10

The next day.

Emily was groggily awakened by someone shaking her. Opening her eyes, she saw it was the nurse who had administered her IV yesterday.

Seeing her wake up, the nurse smiled slightly. "Ms. Windsor, you're being discharged today. This bed will be needed for a new patient, so please get your things together."

Hearing this, Emily took a moment to process what was happening. She rubbed her eyes, her head still feeling a bit dizzy.

Yesterday, she and Charles had talked about dreams and goals until what seemed like the middle of the night. She couldn't even remember when she'd returned to her hospital bed.

"Alright." Emily got up and put on her shoes. "I'm staying to care for someone in the next room. Could I get a companion bed?"

"Of course."

The nurse readily agreed, going out to notify the staff who brought over a bed and set it up in Charles's room.

After thanking them, Emily still felt tired and sat down on the companion bed.

Charles wasn't awake yet. Emily yawned, preparing to nap a bit more, but before she could fall asleep, she heard a commotion outside the room.

Emily's ears perked up, and she was fully awake now. She turned to sit up, preparing to go outside, but before she could take a step, the hospital room door was pushed open.

"You ungrateful daughter!"

Emily looked up to see Wayne's furious, livid face with her barely awake eyes.

Her temples throbbed instantly, and she felt a headache coming on.

If they'd found their way here, Laura must have said something again.

Wayne pointed at Emily, opening with harsh words.

Catching sight of the additional companion bed in the room, Wayne's anger flared even higher.

"During the year you were kidnapped, your mother and I worried sick at home, terrified you'd die out there. And what do you do? You've barely been back a few days and you're already throwing yourself at men!"

"Spending every day fooling around like this. How did the Windsor family end up with such a shameless creature!"

The shouting was loud, giving Emily a headache. She glanced sideways to see that Charles still hadn't woken up, but his furrowed brow showed his discomfort.

"Officer Howard is still sleeping. If you have something to say, let's go outside to discuss it."

"What kind of attitude is that!"

Wayne was so angry that his eyes looked ready to pop out.

Beside him, Laura's eyes flashed with barely concealed smugness. Only after Wayne had nearly finished his tirade did she put on an act of patting his back.

"Dad, don't get so worked up. You'll make yourself sick, and Mom and I would be heartbroken."

Her tone was full of concern.

Wayne snorted coldly, looking at Emily. "Listen to that; now that's a proper daughter. If you had half your sister's sense, I wouldn't have to come here to deal with your mess!"

Emily let out a derisive laugh, her gaze shifting to Laura, who at this moment showed none of the propriety Wayne praised, her face full of undisguised provocation.

"Dad, don't say that. Emily just wants to show gratitude. Since Charles saved Emily's life, it's only natural she'd want to stay and care for him for a while."

Her gaze drifted to the companion bed, and Laura pretended to be shocked, covering her mouth. "Emily, did you sleep here last night?"

She looked worried. "I know Emily wants to show gratitude, but a man and woman alone together. Emily, you really should be more mindful of your reputation."

The implication was crystal clear.

Emily laughed coldly. "Laura, aren't you tired of talking in circles like this? You just want to say I'm trying to seduce Charles, don't you? Just say it directly."

"You shameless thing!" Bianca stood in the doorway, her voice full of disdain after hearing this.

"You're not even embarrassed saying such things! Besides, given what you've been through, forget Charles; any respectable man in the city would look down on you."

"The only one worthy of Charles is Laura!"

Emily looked at them with a cold stare, her numb heart unable to summon even a ripple of emotion.

Until yesterday, she still couldn't accept how her once-loving father and gentle mother had become this way.

Now she realized they probably hadn't changed at all; their love and gentleness had simply been reserved exclusively for Laura.

No matter how cruel their words, she no longer cared.

Emily closed her eyes, burying all the sarcasm in her gaze. Without any rebuttal, she simply said coldly, "Are you finished? If so, then leave. This isn't a place you should be."

Hearing this, Wayne was so angry that he couldn't speak, his pointing finger trembling.

"You ungrateful daughter!"

Bianca quickly patted his back to calm him, whispering venomously, "Don't get so upset. Soon she won't be part of the Windsor family anyway."

This reminder calmed Wayne somewhat.

Looking at Emily again, he spoke in a stern voice, "Emily, pack your things and come home. I won't hold your disrespect against you."

"Home?" Emily thought she'd misheard. She crossed her arms and laughed coldly. "That place isn't my home anymore. Go where?"

"Nonsense!" Wayne raised his voice again. "We've already arranged a marriage for you. This family doesn't mind your past experiences. Your mother and I discussed it; you're not getting any younger, and if you miss this opportunity, you might never find anyone willing to marry you."

"Besides, this family has decent means. They have money and shouldn't treat you poorly."

Emily understood now. They'd only come to take her back to marry her off.

But what kind of good match could the Windsor family possibly arrange for her?

Emily looked deeply at those familiar faces.

She never could have imagined things would come to this point.

Yet fate seemed to love playing such cruel tricks.

"In your eyes, I'm nothing but a tainted daughter. You've probably wanted to cut ties with me for ages, haven't you? Now you're suddenly being so kind, arranging a marriage for me; how could I have the nerve to accept?"

"Such a wonderful match should go to Laura instead."

"That's impossible! Laura is the pride of the Windsor family. How could she possibly marry a cripple!"

In his agitation, Wayne blurted out everything. Bianca's expression changed, and she quickly elbowed him.

Emily gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"So what!" Realizing he'd let something slip, Wayne looked somewhat embarrassed but continued impatiently, "They don't mind you, so how dare you complain about him being a cripple? If he weren't disabled, do you think anyone would want you?"

Emily remained silent for a long moment, her heart growing ice-cold.

Emily clapped slowly, the last trace of warmth fading from her eyes.

"Then from now on, I have nothing to do with the Windsor family."

"I don't acknowledge any marriage arrangement!"

Wayne flew into a rage, his raised hand falling without hesitation.

The slap came with full force, landing solidly on Emily's face with a sharp crack.