"Well, I can finally get some sleep tonight. I think in a few days, she'll be able to return to her normal life."
Emma Johnson said to Amelia White.
"It's such a shame. She's so young to have to endure something like this. When I visited her yesterday, her eyes were all swollen from crying. It's heartbreaking."
Amelia shook her head sympathetically.
"There's nothing we can do about these things. Only time can heal her wounds."
Emma felt a pang of sorrow for Isabella. The vibrant girl she once knew was gone.
Liam Williams and his father, Henry, were discussing business in the study. While waiting for dinner, Emma and Amelia sat on the living room sofa, chatting. Emma asked how the coffee shop was doing.
"It's in the busiest part of the city center, so there's a constant flow of customers. I feel much better keeping myself busy there than staying at home all day. I'm so grateful my brother supported me in opening it."
Amelia smiled warmly at Emma. Just then, a servant brought out a platter of cut fruit. Emma picked up a slice of mango and was about to take a bite.
But the moment the sweet, fragrant scent hit her nose, a wave of nausea washed over her. She fought back the urge to gag, pressing a hand to her chest. She quickly put the mango back and grabbed a single grape instead.
"Emma, you love mangoes. What's wrong?" Amelia's sharp eyes didn't miss the strange reaction.
"Nothing. The grapes just looked really good today. I felt like having some grapes instead," Emma forced a smile and said casually.
Amelia bit her lower lip gently, a thoughtful glimmer in her eyes.
That evening, Emma went home with Liam. She turned on the TV to watch the news, but accidentally landed on a show called Tiny Tots TV. It was all about parenting.
Emma didn't know why, but even though she knew she should switch to the financial news channel, her hand holding the remote wouldn't move. Her eyes were glued to the adorable children on the screen, unable to look away.
They were so cute. Liam's words echoed in her mind. If she could have a child, it would be even more lovely and beautiful than the ones on TV.
"So you like kids that much? I've never seen you watch a show like this before."
Liam's deep, magnetic voice sounded beside her as he sat down. Startled, Emma dropped the remote. She let out a small, flustered sound and looked up at him, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
"What's the matter?" Liam frowned slightly, puzzled by her reaction. He picked up the remote from the floor and looked at her curiously.
"Nothing. You just appeared out of nowhere and scared me to death," Emma said, patting her chest as if to calm her racing heart.
He had approached her like this before. Why hadn't she reacted this way? Liam wondered if she was still thinking about Noah Taylor.
Even though she had broken up with him long ago, a seven-year relationship left its mark. Now that he was dead, Emma might not be as devastated as Isabella, but she wouldn't forget him so soon.
Understanding her sadness, Liam chose not to expose her lie.
Emma tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. When she went to work the next day, the dark circles under her eyes startled Emilia Clark.
"Emma, I know you're worried about your cousin. But you have to take care of yourself too. The fact that he's gone can't be changed," Emilia said, her voice full of concern.
"I'm fine. Don't worry," Emma replied.
She wanted to tell Emilia that her sleeplessness wasn't because of Isabella, but she stopped herself. She couldn't admit that she was upset because she suspected she might be pregnant.
Emma decided she would go to the hospital at noon. The sooner she got checked, the sooner she would know the truth. The suspense was driving her crazy.
Meanwhile, Isabella was on the phone in her bedroom. A sinister glint flashed in her eyes as she listened to the voice on the other end.
"You're absolutely sure?"
"She didn't admit it outright, but it's pretty much confirmed," the female voice on the phone replied.
Isabella was silent for a moment.
"Alright. I understand."
She hung up just as she heard footsteps approaching. She immediately lay back down, pretending to be weak. The door opened, and the smell of chicken soup filled the room.
At noon, Liam went to meet a client. Emma was about to drive to the hospital for her checkup when her phone rang. It was her aunt, Grace Miller.
"Emma, come quickly! Isabella wants to jump off a building to be with Noah! What are we going to do?"
Grace's frantic cries were mixed with the sound of wind. Emma's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't slept well, and now this?
Without a second thought, Emma drove straight to the address her aunt gave her. She arrived at a tall building and saw the ambulance crew setting up a safety cushion on the ground floor. Looking up, she saw Isabella standing on the rooftop in a thin dress.
Emma rushed to the top floor. Her aunt and the police were already there, trying to talk Isabella down. Isabella's smile was bleak and hopeless. She saw Emma.
"Isabella, I know Noah's death has been a terrible blow. But if he were still here, he wouldn't want you to end your life like this. Even if you don't care about yourself, think about your parents. They're so worried about you. Why are you doing this?" Emma said, slowly inching closer.
"Cousin, you don't understand. I really loved him. He's gone now, and I don't see the point in living. I'm going to be with him. I'll only be happy when I'm with him," Isabella said with a bitter smile. She turned around, ready to jump.
"Isabella, no!"
Emma lunged forward, reaching out to grab Isabella's arm. As she pulled Isabella back, Isabella's body fell backward. But her arm pushed forward, and Emma was thrown off balance. Her foot stepped into empty air, and she felt herself falling.