Chapter 77 Richie Lind
Emilia’s POV
I changed, grabbed my bag, and headed out.
The teahouse was one of those overpriced places with too many waiters and not enough parking. I walked in. My eyes scanned the room. First row, right side.
Chuck sat there. Sweating. Nervous.
Then I saw who was sitting across from him.
I froze.
Fuck.
Richie Lind.
Why here? Why now?
"Emilia! Over here!"
Chuck waved. His fake smile was so wide it hurt to look at.
I took a breath. I dragged my feet forward.
"Uncle Richie." I forced a smile onto my face. "Long time no see."
He lifted his head slowly. His eyes were the kind of sharp that belonged to men who’d started with nothing and clawed their way to the top.
"Emilia." His voice was calm. "It’s been a while. I was starting to think you’d forgotten me."
I sat down. Put my bag on the chair beside me. "How could I forget you? You’re the man who saved me when I was drowning."
"You flatter me."
He picked up the porcelain cup in front of him. Took a sip. His posture was relaxed. He had all the time in the world.
I didn’t.
"So, Uncle Richie. What brings you to Silverlake City?"
Chuck shot me a look. "You know why he’s here. Stop pretending."
Richie smiled. "Maybe she’s forgotten. If she remembered, she wouldn’t make me come all this way to find her."
Truth was, I hadn’t forgotten. I just wished I could.
"I’ve been busy," I said carefully. "I didn’t get a chance to visit Leighton."
"Busy getting married, you mean."
My heart dropped. I turned to Chuck. My eyes were knives. He looked away.
"You know about that," I said flatly.
"Your uncle was kind enough to keep me updated." Richie set his cup down. The clink echoed in the silent room. "So tell me, Emilia. When are you going to end this marriage and come home?"
End this marriage?
I took a breath. Counted to three. Then I said it.
"I’m sorry, Uncle Richie. I can’t keep the agreement."
He didn’t look surprised. "As I expected. Now that you’ve married into money, our old agreement means nothing to you, does it?"
"It’s not about the money. I’m sorry to break my word, but I can’t marry Leighton. I’ll pay you back what you lent me. Double it. Just let this go."
Richie laughed. A dry, humorless sound.
"Double it? Do you think I’m short on cash, Emilia?"
"I’m not saying that — "
"We made a deal. Both of us agreed. Now you don’t get to be the only one who decides to walk away."
"That agreement wouldn’t hold up in court." I kept my voice steady. "If I don’t want to do it, there’s nothing you can do."
I heard his thoughts then.
*Stubborn girl. She’s got fire. Used to be easier to push around.*
*But that’s fine. I don’t need the law. I have her uncle.*
Richie smiled. "You’re right. I can’t force you." Then his eyes slid to Chuck. "But your uncle? That’s another story."
My blood ran cold.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ask him."
I turned to Chuck. He looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. "Uncle. What did you do?"
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Then let out a sigh that reeked of regret.
Richie stood up. Straightened his jacket. "I have a plane to catch back to Lakewood City this afternoon. You two talk. Come to me with an answer before the twentieth."
He walked out. His footsteps clicked against the floor. Confident. Like a man who knew he’d already won.
Silence stretched between me and Chuck.
I stared at him.
"Emilia, don’t look at me like that. You’re giving me the creeps."
"Am I scaring you, or is it guilt?" My voice was sharp. "What’s he holding over you?"
Chuck rubbed his face. His hands were shaking.
"I got set up, alright? Last month, after news of your wedding spread, Richie found me. He knew you’d probably break the agreement. So he played me. Offered me a way to make quick cash. Lent me money. I didn’t think—"
"Didn’t think what?" My voice was ice. "What kind of cash?"
"A deal. Selling — cigarettes."
I almost laughed. "So? Selling cigarettes isn’t illegal."
"But..." He hesitated.
"But what?"
"The cigarettes were laced."
My stomach dropped.
"You sold drugs?"
"Keep your voice down!" He grabbed my arm. "Do you want the whole city to hear you?"
I yanked my arm back. My pulse was hammering. "You’re unbelievable. You know that? Completely unbelievable."
"I was tricked! Richie set me up! He recorded the whole transaction — "
"And you just went along with it? Like an idiot?"
"It was for your aunt!"
I wanted to laugh. I wanted to scream.
"She has liver cancer, Emilia. The surgery costs a fortune. I didn’t have the money. Richie came to me like a lifesaver. I had no choice!"
"Oh, so now she’s sick? That’s new." I grabbed my bag. Stood up. "You know what, Uncle? I’m done. I’m not cleaning up your mess this time."
I turned. Walked toward the door.
He chased after me. Grabbed my sleeve.
"Emilia, listen to me! Please! I know I messed up. I always mess up. But this time it’s real. Your aunt is really sick. I can’t lose her. I have no children. She’s all I have left. You understand what it’s like to lose someone you love, don’t you?"
I stopped.
My jaw tightened.
"You’re pathetic," I said, without turning around. "Cursing your wife with cancer just to get me to feel sorry for you."
"It’s true! I swear to the Moon Goddess!"
I turned. Looked at him. His eyes were red. His hands were shaking.
I heard his thoughts.
*Please believe me. Please. I can’t lose her.*
"Even if it’s true, I’m not helping you this time," I said through gritted teeth.
Chuck’s face crumpled. Tears spilled down his cheeks like he’d been holding them back all afternoon. "Emilia, you’re the kindest person I know. How can you say that? Why don’t you believe your uncle? If you don’t believe me, come home with me and see for yourself!"
"There’s no need. I’m completely disappointed in you and Auntie."
Every time I believed him, every time I cleaned up his mess, he just made a bigger one.
I turned to leave.
"Who are you to hate your father?" His voice cracked behind me. "You’re both cold-blooded people. You’re the same!"
I stopped.
Slowly, I turned around. "Do you expect me to sacrifice the happiness of my entire life just to satisfy your selfish interests?"