Chapter 39 Emily
I'm at my desk, struggling to keep my focus, when Amy, our operations director, knocks lightly and steps in.
“Hi, Emily,” she says. “I’ve just come from the Lakeside Riviera. It looks fabulous. You should pop by and take a look.”
It’s no secret in the office that I haven’t gone to see the renovations. I can’t bear to see my father’s favorite hotel, the first one he ever built, torn into and remodeled into something that he would have hated.
I smile politely and nod. “That’s good,” I say in a voice that sounds as dull as I feel.
Amy watches me for a second, as if expecting more, but when I don’t say anything else, she gives a small nod and leaves.
I turn back to my screen, staring at the spreadsheets and emails I’ve been trying to work on all day, though none of it holds my attention.
It’s afternoon, and I can’t wait for the day to be over. There’s a drinks date with Lisa that I’m holding onto like a lifeline, the one small point of brightness on the horizon.
I try diving back into my work, but my focus drifts. The words on my screen blur, and the numbers lose meaning. Then my phone rings, and I grab it, grateful for the distraction. Sarah’s name flashes on the screen.
“Hello?” I say, forcing my voice into something resembling cheerfulness.
“I had the baby boy,” she says after we exchange greeting.” Sarah’s voice is warm and full of joy, and a small smile tugs at my lips in spite of myself.
“Congratulations. That’s wonderful.” I reach for a sticky note, making a note to send her flowers.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice softer now. “Emily, I was hoping… I mean, I’d really like it if you’d be Liam’s godmother. ”
Her words stop me short. “Me?” My voice wavers, caught between surprise and gratitude. “Sarah, you know Andrew and I are separated?”
“Yes,” she says gently. “But I have faith that you’ll work it out. I’ve never seen Andrew look at a woman the way he looks at you, Emily. He adores you.”
A knot forms in my throat, and I glance away, swallowing hard. “It’s been two months, Sarah,” I say quietly. “I think he’s moved on.”
“He just needs time,” she says confidently. “I know him. Andrew’s hurt, but he’s also the kind of man who sees through to what matters. You’re what matters, Emily.”
I close my eyes, Sarah’s words washing over me like a balm. I want to believe her, more than anything, but I saw Andrew’s eyes. He meant it. We’re done.
“So, what do you say?” Sarah’s voice brings me back to the moment.
“I’d be honored,” I say. “Thank you.”
We exchange a few more words, but I feel the sting of tears and know I need a moment. When we hang up, I take a deep breath, trying to push the emotions back down.
A soft knock on the door interrupts my thoughts, and Catherine peeks in. I fight down my irritation. I can’t seem to get a moment alone.
“Matthew’s here, waiting to see you,” she says.
I take a moment to collect myself, nodding. “Show him in.”
Matthew enters, the spreadsheets and financial reports in hand, and begins explaining the latest financial projections.
I know I should be listening carefully, analyzing each figure, but my mind keeps drifting back to Sarah’s words, to the baby, to Andrew.
“...and with these adjustments, we’re seeing a solid quarter,” Matthew finishes, his gaze expectant as he waits for my response .
I blink, scrambling to pull myself back into the moment. “Right. That’s good. Thank you, Matthew,” I say, forcing a smile.
He hesitates, as if he senses something is off, but he nods and gathers his things, leaving me alone in the office.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Relief floods over me as soon as he’s gone. I’m barely managing to keep it together, and the meetings, decisions, and updates is only making it harder.
Everything feels heavy—like I’m moving through quicksand.
I glance at the clock, grateful that the day is finally inching toward its end. The idea of escaping into the noisy din of a bar with Lisa feels like the best relief I’ll get right now.
***
The evening feels empty as I step into my apartment, a pristine, renovated space that’s beautifully put together but lacks any warmth.
It’s like a model unit in some upscale brochure, with perfect finishes and coordinated decor, yet it doesn’t feel like mine. The walls are silent, cold.
There’s no sound of paws skittering across the floor, no Bear and Bruno greeting me at the door, tails wagging. And, of course, no Andrew. No warm embrace, no familiar scent, no one to make me feel like I belong here.
It’s thick, almost oppressive, as I move through the place. I shed my work clothes and step into the shower, hoping the water will wash away some of the weariness that clings to me.
When I’m done, I slip into something comfortable but presentable, glancing at myself in the mirror and barely recognizing the woman staring back. I brush a comb through my hair, barely paying attention.
With a deep breath, I head out, hoping the night with Lisa might provide some kind of escape.
In the Uber, my phone rings, and I glance at the screen, surprised to see Daniel’s name flash up.
“Hello? ”
“Hey, Emily,” he says, his voice unusually serious. “Can we meet? Just briefly.”
I hesitate. “I’m actually on my way to meet Lisa for drinks.”
There’s a pause, then he says, “If you don’t mind, I’ll join you guys?”
I’m curious over why he wants us to meet. “Fine.”
I reach the bar first, settling into a booth and ordering a cocktail to take the edge off. A minute later, Lisa arrives, giving me one of her all-seeing looks.
“You look like shit,” she says bluntly, sliding into the seat across from me.
I raise an eyebrow, more amused than offended. “Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
“I mean it,” she continues, waving a hand toward my hair and lackluster appearance. “What happened to a bit of makeup and a salon visit? It wouldn’t hurt, you know.”
I shrug. “I’m just tired, Lisa.”
“You have to take care of yourself, Em,” she says, her tone softening. “You can’t let yourself go.”
How do I even begin to explain to my best friend that I’ve lost interest in everything? That my entire life feels as though it’s unraveled in a way I can’t seem to stitch back together?
The server arrives with Lisa’s cocktail drink. “I know grief is tough,” Lisa says, taking a sip. “But you have to try.”
I shake my head. “It’s not grief, Lisa. I mean, not really.” I look down at my glass, swirling the liquid inside. “I think I grieved for my father a long time ago. When he went into a coma, a part of me just knew he wasn’t coming back.”
Lisa watches me, her face soft with understanding, but then she gives me a probing look. “So, if it’s not grief, then it’s Andrew.”
Before I can respond, Daniel walks in, spotting us and striding over. He greets us with a small hug, then takes a seat across from me .
“You look as shitty as he does,” he says, and waves over the server and orders water.
I raise an eyebrow at his choice. “Water?”
Daniel nods, looking pleased with himself. “I haven’t had a drink in nine weeks.”
Lisa and I exchange impressed glances, congratulating him. “That’s great,” I say, genuinely happy for him. “How’s work?”
“It’s surprisingly fulfilling,” he says. “I see now why my brother’s a workaholic.”
It’s then that the question tumbles out before I can stop myself. “How is he?” I hold my breath waiting for his answer.
Daniel’s expression softens. “Terrible,” he says bluntly. “He misses you. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you.”
A wild hope springs up in my chest, hammering against my ribcage. “He misses me?”
Daniel nods. “More than he’ll ever admit. Dad’s retiring, you know. He’s making Andrew CEO, but Andrew’s more miserable than ever.”
A pang comes over me. A bittersweet mixture of pride and sadness. Andrew had worked so hard for this moment, for his father’s approval and trust. He deserves it. I wish I’d been there to share that moment with him.
“But missing me isn’t the same as forgiving me,” I say.
Daniel looks at me thoughtfully. “If it were me, I’d forgive you,” he says.
I meet his eyes. “I know.”
Lisa clears her throat, glancing between us. “I think you two just need to talk. Really talk.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing left to say. Andrew has already moved on.” I pause, gathering the courage to voice the part that hurts the most. “He’s even renovating the Lakeside Riviera. The one hotel we agreed he wouldn’t touch.”
I feel the sting of betrayal all over again, like a wound that refuses to heal. “It’s clear that he doesn’t care anymore. ”
Daniel leans forward, his voice gentle. “I don’t think that’s true. Andrew cares more than you know. He’s hurt, Em. And sometimes, when you’re hurt, you make decisions out of anger, not logic.”
I grip my glass tightly, the ache in my chest throbbing. “It’s been weeks now.”
Lisa places a hand on mine, her eyes full of empathy. “If he truly loves you, he’ll come around.”
I want to believe them, but doubt gnaws at the edges of my mind. If Andrew really wanted to reconcile, wouldn’t he have reached out by now?
But then again, I know Andrew. He’s as stubborn as he is principled, and once he’s made up his mind, it’s hard to get him to change it.