Chapter 202
"What? Emily is getting married?" The teacup slipped from Margaret's fingers, shattering on the floor. Her face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling slightly.
The maid, Daisy, stood nervously nearby. "Madam, it... it was Miss Emily herself who said it..."
"Impossible!" Margaret shot to her feet, her silk skirt knocking over a vase on the side table. "She doesn't even have a boyfriend! How could she suddenly be getting married?"
A flash of lightning outside illuminated her ashen face. Her fingers dug into the armrest of the sofa, her knuckles turning white.
"Who is it?" Margaret's voice shook. "When did this happen?"
Daisy kept her head bowed. "They say it's... the second son of the Gu family from the capital. The wedding is set for the eighth of next month."
"The Gu family?" Margaret staggered back two steps. "That notorious playboy?" A sudden realization made her expression darken further. "Wait, the eighth of next month... isn't that—"
The butler rushed in. "Madam, the master wants to see you in the study immediately!"
Straightening her collar, Margaret forced herself to appear composed as she climbed the stairs. With each step, her heartbeat quickened. When she pushed open the study door, her husband's face was stormy.
"Your precious daughter!" Henry slammed a letter onto the desk. "How dare she arrange her own marriage without consulting us!"
Margaret's hands trembled as she picked up the letter. Her daughter's familiar handwriting leaped out at her:
"Mom, Dad, please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. I've married the second son of the Gu family. We're deeply in love..."
The letter slipped from her fingers. Suddenly, she remembered Emily's odd behavior three days ago—the hesitant look in her eyes, that mysterious late-night phone call...
"Prepare the car!" Margaret whirled around and rushed toward the door. "I'm going to ask that foolish girl myself!"
Rain began pelting against the car windows as they sped away. Margaret stared blankly at the blurred scenery outside, her nails digging into her palms. She never imagined her obedient daughter would do something like this.
What chilled her even more—just weeks ago, the Gu family's second son had been embroiled in scandal with the heiress of the Zhao family...
The early summer sunlight streamed through the window as Emily Johnson guided her two little boys' hands in writing practice. A sudden knock at the door made her fingers pause mid-stroke.
"Mommy, who is it?" David asked, tilting his round face upward.
Emily set down the brush. "Go play in your room. Don't come out until I call you."
After the children disappeared into the inner chamber, she took a steadying breath before opening the door. Olivia Parker stood there with a travel-worn middle-aged woman whose familiar features made Emily's pulse quicken.
"Emily..." Margaret Johnson's voice trembled.
Her daughter wore a light floral blouse, her raven hair loosely tied back, skin so pale it seemed translucent. This was nothing like the sun-weathered farm wife she'd imagined.
"Come in." Emily stepped aside.
The cobblestone path wound through the tidy courtyard where emerald cabbage sprouts bordered the walls. Margaret's sharp eyes noted the well-built brick house, already piecing together the truth.
"Tea." Emily offered a steaming cup of jasmine tea.
Margaret clutched the cup, fingertips burning. "You...married?"
Silence thickened until the bubbling teapot sounded unnaturally loud. Emily watched tea leaves swirl in her cup. "Yes."
"When?" Margaret's voice rose sharply. "Why didn't you tell us?"
A rustling sound came from the doorway. Emily shifted subtly to block the view of two small faces peeking through the crack.
"Three years ago." Her tone remained calm. "I'm happy here. Not planning to return to the city."
The teacup slammed onto the table, splashing droplets. Just as Margaret drew breath to protest, a sharp "clack" sounded from the inner room—like a toy hitting the floor.
"Who's there?" Margaret stood abruptly.
Emily's fingers dug into her palms.