Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
E MERALD
“Where are we going, Saint?”
But he refuses to answer me.
I groan, slumping back against the seat. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Maybe a little.”
“Ugh!” I slap a hand over my face. “I swear, if we end up in some weird escape room or a surprise skydiving session, I will never forgive you.”
Saint quirks an eyebrow. “Aren’t I supposed to be the grumpy one?”
“I’m pregnant, so I’m allowed some slack.” I grin at him as I settle back in my seat, but I’m unable to completely shake the tiny spark of curiosity.
Arriving at our destination, I step out of the car, my heels clicking against the pavement. And I take in the sight before me. It’s the boutique where I was arrested—the one he had to buy to get the charges dropped. My heart dips a little as I see it. It’s not something I’m proud of, and I was actually hoping to be able to forget the whole situation as quickly as possible.
The boutique's elegant glass storefront gleams under the golden evening light, and soft music drifts out from within. I turn to Saint. He’s been acting unusually secretive all day, his eyes sparkling with some sort of mischief. “Why are we here?” I tilt my head as I look up at him. “I, er, don’t need another new dress, you know.”
Saint laces his fingers through mine as he leads me toward the entrance. “Trust me, Emerald. This is something special.”
He pushes open the door, and I step inside. The fresh smell of paint lingers in the air, and I can see that the place has been entirely refitted since my last time here. The boutique is breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers drip down from the ceiling, lighting up rows of stunning dresses. The racks of silk, lace, and chiffon create a sea of luxury, and a scent of roses and vanilla fills the air. But despite the boutique still being open and the staff milling around, we’re the only ones here.
And then suddenly?—
“ Surprise !”
A throng of voices rings out. And I startle out of my skin as a huge crowd of people rush out from the backroom and fill the space all around me. My eyes widen as I take in all the people. Jacquetta, Nicki, Milena, Jaspar, Giulietta, Christian, Leoluca, Quin, Christian's mom, my friends from the casino, and so many others. Their faces are glowing with excitement, and they have champagne flutes clutched in their hands.
I spin to Saint, my lips parting in shock. “What…what is this?”
He grins, his hands settling on my shoulders. “It’s a party to celebrate your new boutique.”
My breath catches. The words echo in my mind, but they don’t quite make sense. “ My boutique?” I whisper.
He nods. “Yeah, yours.”
The world tilts slightly as the meaning of his words sinks in. My heart pounds against my ribs. “I know you bought the boutique so the charges would be dropped, but now you’re giving it to me?”
He shrugs. “I know how much you love clothes. So, yeah.”
Tears sting my eyes. I glance around, my vision blurring as I take in the familiar faces of everyone I love, standing here, celebrating my new boutique. The store shimmers around me, and for a moment, I feel like I’m in a dream. “You…you did this?” My voice wavers. “All of this?”
Saint chuckles softly. “Of course. You deserve this, Em. You deserve to have everything you’ve ever wanted.”
I shake my head, overwhelmed by the sheer generosity of the man standing before me.
Jacquetta steps forward. “He’s been working on this for you. We all have. We wanted to make sure it was perfect for you.” The kids are at her side, babbling as they tell me how they had to keep it a secret and how they hope I like it.
Emotion swells in my throat. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Saint smiles, his fingers tightening around mine. “Then don’t say anything. Just enjoy it. Seeing that gorgeous smile of yours is enough for me…because it never fails to brighten my whole life.”
A giggle escapes me, and before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around him, burying my face into his shoulder.
He holds me tightly, his warmth steadying me as I try to process what’s happening.
When I finally pull back, I wipe at my damp cheeks and glance around. “So, let me get this straight…” I inhale a shaky breath. “This boutique belongs to me? I can design, stock, sell whatever I want?”
“Exactly,” Saint confirms.
A delighted squeal erupts from Nicki as she rushes forward, hugging me tightly. “Oh my God, Em! You’re going to have the most amazing boutique ever!”
In the corner of my eye, I see someone arriving late. And turning, I’m stunned to see that it’s Ria.
She comes straight up to me and air-kisses me. “Congratulations, Emerald! Doesn’t this place look amazing? I’m so pleased for you!”
I glare at her. “What on earth are you doing here, Ria?”
“I heard everyone talking about this event, and I decided to help you celebrate,” she trills. “I’m sure my invite just got lost in the mail or something.”
Jacquetta comes up behind us. “No, Ria, you just weren’t invited.”
Her jaw drops in disbelief. “But this party is the biggest event of the month! And I didn’t want to miss out?—”
“You need to leave, Ria,” I tell her. “ Immediately .”
“Wait! What? You can’t mean that. You’re not serious, surely?”
I stand up tall and look her in the eye. “I’m deadly serious.”
Her voice becomes shrill. “But what will people think if they see me being thrown out ?”
My gaze widens. “Have you already forgotten about when you called me a slut at my own wedding? And all the times you called me fat?”
She waves a dismissive hand in the air and gives one of her nasal laughs. “Oh, that was just a joke.”
“A joke? It was supposed to be my wedding day, Ria. And as per usual, you chose to try and humiliate me.”
Her eyebrows shoot up before she looks down her nose at me. “I don’t think I like your attitude, Emerald.”
“ You don’t like my attitude ? Well, let me tell you, I haven’t liked your attitude for years . You bullied me at school and then continued with your nastiness afterward as well, using any opportunity to get a dig or insult in. What is actually wrong with you, Ria?”
“I, um, just thought…maybe we could start afresh,” she mutters in a weak voice.
“Because suddenly you’ve decided I’m good enough to be seen around? Because you want to be invited to my events? Because you want to be welcome at my boutique? I never did anything to you, Ria, and yet you continued to target me. I don’t know if it was down to jealousy, being insecure about yourself, or something else, but I do know that you give off a bad energy. And I don’t want someone as toxic as you anywhere near me, my family, or this boutique.”
“Toxic?” Her voice comes out as a splutter. And a tide of crimson rushes up her cheeks as she realizes that people are staring now.
But I just don’t care and carry on. “Yes, toxic. I can’t believe you have the nerve to turn up here and pretend like you never did anything to me.” I cross my arms in front of me. “ You need to leave. Right now. And from now on, don’t come anywhere near me or my family. ”
Ria looks like she wants the ground to swallow her up as she spins on her heel and stumbles out of the boutique. She looks completely embarrassed, but I had to stand up for myself. I had to let her know that her treatment of me isn’t in any way okay or acceptable. And I’m proud of myself for finally doing it .
The party carries on, and I’m so happy tonight. And I can’t believe the place I’m in now compared to just a few months ago. Even things with my mom have been getting better. Although rehab is a long and difficult journey, we’ve agreed she should have some supervised visits with the kids when she completes her latest stint. She’s determined to do better, and I want to be there to help her.
My family and friends gather around, their excitement infectious. A non-alcoholic version of champagne is passed into my hands, and I take a sip, the bubbles tickling my throat. Laughter and chatter fill the boutique, and for the first time, I let the reality sink in. This is mine. This is real.
A sense of purpose and gratitude washes over me. And I make an instant decision that thirty percent of all the boutique’s profits are going to be donated to the single moms’ shelter every single month. I’ve received some good fortune in my life, and I’m determined to share it with as many people as I can.
I look at Saint, my heart swelling beyond measure. “I love you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
His eyes soften, and he cups my face gently. “I love you too, Em.”
And as the night unfolds, I find myself floating between conversations, hugs, and joyful tears. My hands trail over the dresses, my mind already brimming with ideas. I can already see the future laid out before me, and I know that I’m going to be spending it surrounded by the people I love and who love me back.