Chapter 83 I Miss You the Most, Emilia
Emilia’s POV
I found a quiet corner and picked up the call. "Hello?"
"Where’s your classmate’s house?"
Sebastian’s question hit me out of nowhere. My stomach tightened.
"Why do you want to know?"
"I happen to be passing through Lakewood City on business. If your wedding is over, I can pick you up on my way back."
For a second, relief washed over me. But I was not ready to face him. Not with all this baggage I was dragging around. "No, thanks. I’ll stay another two days. You go ahead."
"Alright, suit yourself."
He hung up without even asking how I was. Typical Sebastian. But honestly, the fact that he called me at all was already a miracle. I pocketed my phone and walked back to the coffee shop. My mood lifted just a little.
When I got closer, I could see Richie Lind arguing with his son near the door. Leighton was crying again. Those big blue eyes were swimming in tears. His blond hair was messy. His face was flushed. He looked like a kid who had lost his favorite toy.
I sighed and walked over. "What’s wrong?"
"Emilia, I don’t want to go home with Dad. I want to stay with you."
Leighton grabbed my sleeve. His voice was wobbly. He was twenty two, same age as me, but he looked like a lost puppy. The fever when he was a kid had stolen something from him. He never got his wolf, and his mind never grew up either.
Richie’s face twisted. "Are you coming or not? If you don’t move your ass now, I’ll break your legs."
I stepped between them. "Enough, Godfather. Don’t you have stuff to do? Leave Leighton with me. I’ll take him home."
Richie’s eyes narrowed as he sized me up. "You sure? Won’t it be too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all."
"Fine. Call me when you get him home safe."
He nodded at Linda, who had been standing there like a statue the whole time. Then he turned and left.
Linda’s face was pale. Her fists were clenched so tight her knuckles went white. The moment Richie disappeared, she snapped.
"Don’t think I’ll fall for your little act, Emilia. The two of you putting on a show in front of me. Listen carefully. One day, I’ll rip that mask off your face and make you wish you’d never been born."
I met her gaze, flat and cold. "Then listen carefully too. The one who belongs in hell isn’t me."
I grabbed Leighton’s hand and walked out of the coffee shop with my head high.
Leighton stumbled after me. "Emilia, where are we going?"
"Home."
"I don’t want to go home unless you come with me."
"Fine. I’ll come with you."
I sighed and pulled out my phone. There it was. A text from Richie.
"I’ve done my part. Hope you keep your promise soon."
My mood crashed again.
On the way to the airport, Leighton sat next to me in the taxi, staring out the window at the streetlights blurring past. His blond hair caught the light, making him look almost angelic. His eyes, a bright, clear blue, held no malice. Just innocence.
The kind of innocence that could destroy me.
I took a deep breath. "Leighton, when you get home, tell your dad you don’t like me, okay? Tell him you don’t want me to be your wife."
He turned to me, confused. "But I do like you. I want you to be my wife."
My chest tightened. "Leighton, liking someone doesn’t mean they have to be your wife. And you don’t really understand what ’like’ means."
"I do understand." His voice was firm for once. "Mom said that liking someone means missing them. And I miss you the most, Emilia."
"That’s not like. That’s dependence."
"I don’t care what it’s called. I just like you!"
I pressed my fingers to my temples. How do you argue with a child trapped in a man’s body?
"Leighton, I’m married now. To someone else. I can’t be your wife."
His face crumpled. "But you promised. Dad said you promised to take care of me forever."
"I know I did. But I was six years old back then. I didn’t know what I was promising."
"So you’re breaking your promise?" Tears spilled down his cheeks.
I looked away. "I’m sorry."
Three hours later, I finally got him home. It was ten at night when I handed him over to his mother. She cried and laughed at the same time, hugging him until he fell asleep on her shoulder.
When Leighton was asleep, I stood up to leave.
Madam Lind’s expression hardened. "Don’t forget your promise, Emilia. Solve your problems in Silverlake City and come back. He needs you."
I didn’t answer. Just nodded and walked out.
The Lind mansion loomed behind me as I stepped onto the empty street. I was exhausted. Physically, mentally, every way possible. Flying back and forth between two cities. Lying to everyone. Juggling debts and promises I couldn’t keep.
I was so tired of living like this.
I could have stayed the night, but I knew if I did, Leighton wouldn’t let me leave in the morning. So I walked. Aimlessly. The road stretched out in front of me, dark and empty.
And then, out of nowhere, I thought of Sebastian.
He said he was passing through Lakewood City. Could he be here?
I pulled out my phone and dialed.
It rang. And rang. No answer.
I tried again.
This time, a woman’s voice picked up.
"Hello? Who’s speaking?"
I froze. Did I dial the wrong number? I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at the screen. No. It was Sebastian’s name. Clear as day.
Why is a woman answering his phone in the middle of the night?
My blood went cold.
"I’m Sebastian’s wife. Who are you?"