Liam, on the other hand, had only eaten a bowl of noodles.
Feeling a bit awkward, Emma took the initiative to clear the dishes and insisted on washing them herself.
"Leave them. The servants will take care of it tomorrow."
Liam's words reminded Emma that this was Sunrise Manor, not their apartment.
She set down the chopsticks with a frustrated clatter, never imagining she'd be back in this mansion because of Amelia.
"Liam, I think you should move back to Sunrise Manor. Amelia's memory is stuck at eighteen, and she seems to rely on you. It's probably best for you to be here. Dr. Jones said being around familiar people could help her recover."
In truth, ever since overhearing the conversation between the old man and Liam in the study, Emma had been mulling it over.
For someone with memory loss, being surrounded by familiar faces should provide the most comfort.
She'd planned to bring it up with Liam again in the morning, but now seemed as good a time as any.
"And what about you?"
Liam didn't answer her question immediately. Instead, he stared at her, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"You can see Amelia is uncomfortable around me. Even though I didn't mean to, I scared her. So I think it's better if I stay out of sight."
"So you want us to live apart?"
His words caught Emma off guard. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
"Don't forget we're married. If I stay here and you live alone in that apartment, what will the old man think? Amelia has already caused him enough worry. Do you want him to spend his old age fretting over our marriage? If something happens to him because he's worried about us, who will take responsibility?"
Liam's voice was low.
Emma looked at the displeased man before her. She'd naively thought she was being considerate, putting Amelia's needs first. How had her intentions become selfish in his eyes?
"I—"
"Enough. Tomorrow I'll have Oliver send someone to bring our luggage back to Sunrise Manor. You're coming with me. As for Amelia, don't worry. She's just not used to you yet. She'll be fine in a few days."
When Emma tried to speak again, Liam made the decision without hesitation, not even giving her a chance to explain.
She felt both wronged and helpless.
The next morning, Amelia also woke up early. At eighteen, she'd just started college and almost forgot about it if a servant hadn't reminded her.
Now, Amelia had no sense of security and couldn't bear to be alone.
"Brother, are you going to the office?"
Amelia looked at Liam like a pitiful little rabbit, her eyes full of expectation.
"I'll be back early this afternoon. You rest at home."
Liam could see she wanted to come with him, but the current situation wouldn't allow it. So he coaxed her instead.
Emma thought Liam would leave her at home too, but he clearly hadn't forgotten their agreement.
Starting today, Emma officially became Liam's assistant.
"Amelia, do you want to come to your second brother's company?"
Benjamin, however, wanted to take Amelia with him. He was pleased with how much she depended on him. But Amelia refused. After all, her favorite person had always been her big brother.
Emilia called Emma, wanting to ask about Amelia. Emma thought it over and arranged to meet Emilia in the company's break room. She gave Emilia a rough idea of Amelia's condition, omitting some of the more personal details.
"What? Amelia lost her memory? So she doesn't remember me?"
Emilia was shocked. She'd thought Amelia was just sick. She never expected temporary amnesia.
How could this happen?
"Yes. So she probably won't be coming to the office anymore."
Emma sighed.
"I hope she gets better soon. I've heard this kind of thing might not always be curable. But maybe she'll be fine in a little while."
Emilia spoke with concern.
Emma hoped so too.
"Emma, are you really working at the company now? You're not the editor-in-chief anymore?"
Emilia looked at Emma drinking her coffee and changed the subject.
"I don't have a choice."
Emma sighed deeply, her tone helpless. Emilia wanted to ask more, but Emma had been in the break room too long. She and Emilia headed back to Liam's office.
Watching Liam's busy figure at his desk, Emma realized how redundant she was. She had no idea what she was supposed to do.
"What are you standing there for? Make me a cup of coffee."
Liam said without looking up. Emma thought bitterly that she'd gone from being editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine to Liam's maid. But since she'd lost the bet, she had to honor the agreement.
While making Liam's coffee, Emma kept telling herself that if she could just get through these six months, she'd get a company under Pinnacle Corporation. After all, it wasn't a bad deal.
"Why did you take so long? What are you thinking about? The coffee's overflowing."
His magnetic voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts. She realized the coffee had already overflowed. How careless.
Just as she was about to wipe up the spilled coffee, the man behind her had already grabbed some paper towels to clean it up. A hint of cologne enveloped Emma.
She felt her ears redden involuntarily. She waited until he moved away before her breathing finally steadied.
Throughout the entire day, Emma did nothing but make coffee for Liam. She even had lunch and took a nap in the inner room's bed. When she woke up, it was three in the afternoon. She didn't know when she'd wrapped herself in the blanket.
Emma figured she must have felt cold while sleeping and pulled the blanket over herself without thinking.
She rubbed her eyes and went out to see Liam putting away the last file. Then he looked at her.
"Get my coat. We're going home now."