Chapter 42 The Necklace in the Trash
Emilia’s POV
"It doesn’t matter." Scott’s voice was gentle, understanding. "I can tell you’re not in the mood to eat with me now. Maybe next time."
I nodded blankly. "Thank you."
Scott pulled up to the gates of the Simons estate.
"I’m really sorry," I said as I stepped out of the car. "When there’s a chance, I’ll treat you again."
"Okay." His smile was sad.
"Goodbye then."
I waved and turned toward the house.
"Emilia."
Scott’s voice stopped me. I looked back, confused. "What’s wrong?"
"Don’t be too harsh on yourself." His eyes were earnest in the dim light. "You only need to know that there is one person who will always be here waiting for you. Forever."
My throat tightened. I sighed. "Although I can’t love you, I still want to thank you..."
The living room buzzed with noise when I entered. I made a beeline for the stairs, mumbling something about not feeling well.
No one questioned it.
I locked myself in my room and waited.
Waited for Sebastian to come home. Waited for the punishment I knew was coming.
He hadn’t exploded at the restaurant, but I wasn’t naive enough to think that meant I was forgiven.
He’d only held back because of his business associate. Because Alphas didn’t lose their shit in public. But here? In private?
What will he do? Yell at me? Throw me out? Hurt me?
God, the not knowing was worse than any punishment.
I glanced at the clock. 9:47 PM.
Usually, I was in bed by ten. Strict routine, strict schedule. But tonight, I couldn’t even think about sleep.
10:15 PM. Nothing.
10:43 PM. Still nothing.
By 11:00 PM, I was pacing. By 11:30, I was sitting at the desk again, staring at the same paper I’d been trying to read for the past two hours.
The sound of a car engine cut through the silence at 11:45 PM.
My heart pounded.
He’s back.
I heard the door open.
Then... nothing.
No footsteps coming up. No knock on my door. No explosion of Alpha rage.
I sat frozen, every muscle tensed, waiting for the storm.
What the hell is he doing?
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I stood, my legs shaking, and crept to the door. I opened it just a crack and peeked out.
Sebastian was lying on the sofa, one arm thrown over his eyes. Still dressed in his suit from dinner. He looked... exhausted.
Sebastian had no intention of resolving the situation between us. I hesitated briefly, then decided to confront him. His doing nothing made me feel worse than my lying to him earlier.
"I’m sorry."
"I didn’t mean to lie to you. Scott helped me with something a few days ago, so I wanted to treat him to dinner to express my gratitude. I only lied to you because I was afraid that you would misunderstand."
Sebastian didn’t move.
Then he lowered his arm and opened his eyes.
Hatred. Pure, unadulterated hatred mixed with disappointment. Betrayal.
Whatever it was, it burned.
Before I could react, he lunged.
His hand seized my wrist, yanking me forward. I stumbled, falling onto the sofa. He followed, pressing me down into the cushions, caging me with his body.
"You could have told me the truth when you had the chance," he hissed. His face was inches from mine, green eyes blazing. "It’s too late to say anything now."
My breath came in short gasps. His weight, his heat, his scent—mint and cedar—overwhelmed my senses.
But I couldn’t read his thoughts.
"Are you going to drive me away again?" I managed to ask.
"I won’t drive you away. I will only hate you more than before."
He released me suddenly and stood, turning his back to me.
I sat up slowly, steadying my clothes with shaking hands.
"If hating me makes you feel better, be my guest."
I’d been hated before. By Dorothy, by Linda, by half the pack. One more person’s hatred wouldn’t kill me.
Even if that person was my husband.
I woke late the next morning. The Simons family always had breakfast at 7:30 sharp. I’d missed it completely.
Something caught my eye.
A purple gift box. Pristine wrapping. Expensive-looking.
Sitting in the trash can.
I knelt beside the trash can.
The box was untouched. Not even opened fully. Just... discarded.
I picked it up carefully and lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled in silk, was the most beautiful necklace I’d ever seen. Delicate silver chains woven together, studded with tiny diamonds that caught the light.
Why would anyone throw this away? It was perfect. Flawless.
I stood, holding the box, and placed it on Sebastian’s desk. He could decide what to do with it.
Just as I was about to leave, I glanced at the square box again, and a thought struck me. Could this necklace have been something Sebastian had intended to give me?
This seemed impossible, but there was still a glimmer of hope. If it wasn’t for me, why would he throw away such a beautiful thing? Even if he was wealthy, he wouldn’t be so wasteful.
Thinking about this, I walked over, opened the box, took out the necklace and put it on.
"Knock knock!" Someone knocked on the door. I opened it, and the housekeeper Eve said politely, "Miss, please come downstairs for breakfast. Everyone is waiting for you."
I was touched and asked, "Isn’t it past breakfast time now?"
"The lady saw that you didn’t come downstairs, so she postponed breakfast," Eve explained.
"Okay, I’ll be right there."
I was moved. No matter who that man who hated me was, I felt the way this family treated me was impeccable.
I hurried downstairs and went straight to the dining table, saying sheepishly, "Sorry, I overslept."
"It doesn’t matter. Young people like you need more sleep." Mila patted my hand warmly.
"Wow, your necklace is gorgeous."
Tiffany walked up to me eagerly and bent down to examine it closely. She gasped, "Wow, this is the limited edition ’Flowing Light’! There are only ten in the world, and I’ve been dreaming of owning one. Where did you buy it?"
I glanced nervously at Sebastian, who was gaping at the necklace around my neck. Noticing that I was looking at him, he turned his head and started eating breakfast.
"Enough. Don’t you have enough jewelry? Let’s eat."
Mila scolded Tiffany, which rescued me when I was thinking about how to explain the origin of the necklace.
That day, eating breakfast was torture.
Breakfast finally ended, and before I could speak, the man sitting next to me commanded, "Come upstairs with me."