“Just a couple of nobodies. By the way, I haven’t seen John around during the day lately. What has he been up to?” I tried changing the topic as I didn’t want to get into it.
Emma frowned the moment I mentioned John. “He’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since you were kidnapped by Mitchell’s men the last time I went out with you, so I’m guessing he hates me now…” she grumbled while tending to the potted plants on the table.
I was surprised as I didn’t realize my own actions had led to a conflict between them. “Uh… You’re probably just overthinking things… I bet he’s just really busy with work!”
“Don’t bother trying to console me. I can tell if he’s busy, you know?” Emma let out a huge sigh as she continued, “John left his phone at home when you two visited Jackson at the hospital the other day, so I had the chauffeur drive me there and delivered it to him. I saw him starting a fight with Mr. Harrison in public because of you, Letty. I think you’re the only woman that he will ever care so deeply about in his life.”
I pursed my lips in response and took a moment to think about what she said before replying, “You’re wrong, Emma. Have you forgotten what John said on your blind date with him? He personally admitted to liking other women before you, remember? He may come off as bold and fearless, but he’s actually a coward who doesn’t even have the guts to admit that he likes someone until it’s too late! You have to give him some time and keep persevering until he comes to his senses, okay?”
Emma wasn’t buying it at all and continued to take her anger out on the potted plants. “That’s what you said before, but so much time has passed with no progress between us! In fact, we don’t even find our usual squabbles fun anymore! Maybe it really is a one-sided love on my end, after all. I should probably cast these meaningless feelings aside and just be content with my title as his wife. Nothing good ever comes out of overthinking anyway…”
I could tell that she had been deeply hurt by John’s words and actions. No woman could possibly put up with being treated so coldly on a daily basis, and Emma was no different.
Like flowers, women require plenty of warmth and care in order to bloom brightly. Being kept in a cold, dark room would just result in them losing their colors over time.
In the end, I decided to remain silent as I had no way of changing her mind.
I was dozing off on the sofa at around eleven that night when I heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching, I opened my eyes, and saw John about to drape his coat over me.
“You should go sleep in your room now that you’re awake,” he said while slinging the coat over his shoulder instead.
It was indeed uncomfortable sitting for too long with two babies in my tummy, so I did as told and made my way towards the bedroom with his help.
“You’ve been coming home late recently, John. Is everything okay at work?”
“What could possibly go wrong with Uncle Louis around? Some of my men screwed up a project, so I’ve been busy cleaning up the mess,” John said calmly.
I stopped in my tracks and gave him a serious look as I asked, “How is Hannah doing?”
I knew that John had been secretly keeping an eye on her despite them being separated for so long.
John let go of me and looked away when he realized I had seen through his secret. “Why bring her up all of a sudden?”
Feeling an ache in my waist, I held a hand against it to steady myself as I said earnestly, “To remind you that you should leave the past behind. It wasn’t your fault that you lost her, John. You both made that decision together, so you do have the right to move on and love someone else. Stop holding yourself back like this, okay?”
John lowered his gaze and kept quiet, which confirmed my thoughts about him.
He has been going after the Ziegler family ever since the kidnapping incident, and I know it isn’t solely because of me. Emma too, was traumatized by the incident. It’s obvious that he cares about her, but the blow from losing Hannah was far too severe for him. As a result, he refused to forgive himself and shut everyone out in the process, inadvertently distancing himself from those who loved him…
