Chapter 152

"Emily, let me be your anchor." Daniel Chen's fingertips gently traced the back of her hand. "From now on, I want to share every joy and sorrow with you."

Emily's lashes fluttered as William Johnson's domineering silhouette from last night flashed through her mind. She clenched the napkin, her knuckles turning white.

"Daniel..." Her voice cracked. "I don't deserve someone like you."

"Silly." He leaned forward suddenly, his warm palm covering her icy fingers. "I want you—as you are now, and as you'll be."

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, traffic flowed endlessly. The crystal chandelier's reflections danced across his glasses. Emily stared into the sincerity in his eyes, feeling something shift in her chest.

"My past—"

"Shh." He pressed a finger to her lips. "None of that matters."

A blue velvet box slid toward her. The Tiffany smile pendant glittered under the lights, identical to the one Mia had given her. Emily's breath hitched.

"Happy birthday, my girl." He moved behind her, fingers brushing through her cascading hair. The faint sandalwood scent made him pause momentarily.

Emily suddenly grabbed his wrist. "I want to cut my hair short."

The sterile hospital hallway clung to William as he leaned against the ICU door. His reflection in the glass showed dark, brooding eyes. His phone lit up—a private investigator's photo of Daniel fastening a necklace around Emily's neck.

Bang. The phone shattered against the wall.

"Mr. Johnson?" A nurse gasped.

He loosened his tie, gaze fixed on the girl inside the room, tubes snaking across her body. The monitor's steady beeps sounded like a countdown.

Mia twirled Emily's severed locks between her fingers. "Such beautiful hair. What a waste to turn it into a wig." She leaned in suddenly, her nose almost touching Emily's ear. "Running from someone, are we?"

Emily studied her reflection. The chestnut bob accentuated her delicate collarbones—and the unmistakable red mark she could no longer hide.

"Ladies, care to try our new color-protecting serum?" Tony waved a gilded bottle. "Special price—just $888."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Fetch your manager. Tell him Mrs. Lin's daughter has a complaint."

Night deepened. Emily stood alone under the shower, hot water rinsing away the last traces of dye. A key turned in the front door.

"Darling, I'm home!" Mia's voice carried down the hall. "Guess who I ran into downstairs—"

The water cut off abruptly.