Chapter 4
The slap landed with full force, leaving Arlene’s check burning bright red
Stunned, she stinctively clutched her face. Her mind buzzed, blank with shock.
“Rosalia! What the hell is wrong with you?”
Rage flared in Arlene’s chest as soon as she processed what had happened. She mised her hand, ready to retum the blow
But before she could strike back, Emery stepped in, catching her wrist in a firm grip ||
His voice was tight with anger. “Ailene, Rosalie didn’t do anything to you! Why would you hit her?”)
Arlene yanked her hand free, her fingers tingling from his hold. Her voice shook. “Me? I hit her Emery, why don’t you ask everyone standing here who started ar
At that Rosalie immediately put on her most priful face, eyes brimming with tears 3
“Emery, you’re the one who said I’m too timid and should find ways to be braves | thought if I slapped the CEO’s wife in public, maybe I’d finally got some courage. It’s. not like Lever have the chance! But she was so scary just now I was terrified, I swear! She dissolved into a fresh mund of sobs, her whole body quaking
Emery’s brows drew together as the truth came out. I told you to be brave, but that don’t mean you can go around hitting proper
Especially not Arlene!!
Rosabe sniffled, tears spilling down her cheeks like broken pearls. “Tim sorry, I’m just so stupid… You told me Mrs. Carter was easygoing, so I thought she wouldn’t mind if I hit her. I really didn’t mean to upset her..%
Watching her cry, Emery’s imitation melted away. He grabbed some issues, gently clabbing at her tears and soothing her with soft words!!
There, there, no one’s blaming you. Stop crying now, sweetheart.”
Arlene watched the scene unfold, feeling a mixture of pain and fury. She finally lost control, her voice cutting through the hush!!
“Emery, I’m the one who got slapped! Who are you to forgive her on my behalf? And you, Rosalie–why are you acting all innocent? Who on earth thinks hitting someone is a good way to build confidence?%
Rosalie flinched, her sobs tuming desperate and wild, gasping so hard it looked like she might pass out.
Emery, clearly distressed, waved off Arlene’s anger “She’s just a girl, Arlene deal out of it? She’s already crying her heart out with guilt. Let it go, okay?”
single slap from her can’t have hurt you that much. Do you have to make such a big
With that he gathered Rosalie into his arms and walked away, leaving Arlene standing aloneX
She could hardly believe what she’d heard, Numb, as it plunged into icy water, she had no idea how she made it home.
All the way back, she forced herself not to cry, blinking away tears that stung her eyes and left them rimmed sed by the time she reached the front door ”
When she walked in, the housekeeper gasped at the crimson imprint on her face. What happened? Did someone hurt you? Should I call Mr. Carter and have him come home night now to set things straight?“%
“No beed,” she whispered, stopping her with a gentle shake of her head.
Every bit of pain she felt–he’d given her himself.
Arlene sat by the window pressing an ice pack to her check for an hour unti Lewelling faded a little. That’s when Rosalie’s message arrived.
Mrs. Carter are you home yet? I’m already at the hospital, Emery was so worried–when I fainted, he booked the entire VIP floor and called in a dozen doctors to check me over?
“Oh, how’s your face? Im so sorry I hit you that hard–it must hurt a lot. If you want, you can come to the hospital now and I’ll be generous enough to let one of my doctors take a look, just in case there’s any permanent damages
Aree read the message once then forwarded it to Emery without a word
He didn’t reply until almost dawn.
“Rosalie meant well.”
Arlene laughed a hollow sound, tears slipping down her cheeks.|
A moment later, she sent him a voice message
“Soprotective, aren’t you? Why not just marry her already?‘ step aside and wish you both a long and happy life7
This time, Emery replied instantly !
will always be you. The others are just a bit of fun. Please, let it go and get some rest.
“Arlene, why are you always so domatic? I’ve told you over and over–my
ver and over–my wife will al I come home to see you tomorrow
Reading his reply. Arlene felt as if she’d punched through a pillow–no resistance, just emptiness d
She let out a bitter laugh, shut off her phone, and decided she’d wasted enough words on him for one night x
