Chapter 243
Emily Smith stood outside Daniel Chen's apartment, her trembling finger hovering over the doorbell. The warm taro cakes in her arms still steamed, their aroma cutting through the cold hallway air.
The door opened faster than she expected.
Daniel's haggard face made her heart clench. The dark circles under his eyes and the stubble on his chin spoke volumes about his recent suffering.
"Daniel," she heard her own voice shake.
His pupils contracted sharply. His Adam's apple bobbed before he managed to speak. "Emily..."
"I made your favorite taro cakes." She extended the food container, the ceramic edges still warm from the kitchen.
When Daniel took it, his fingers accidentally brushed against the back of her hand. The brief contact froze them both.
"Take care." Emily spoke first, turning away as a tear splashed onto the stair railing.
Behind her, the container hit the floor with a dull thud. She didn't look back, but Daniel's choked sob echoed through the hallway.
Three days later, the hospital called to move up the surgery date. Emily was recording an emotional scene in the studio when she hung up, only then noticing her palms were drenched in sweat.
On the morning of the surgery, she braided her sister's hair into a pretty plait. The little girl bit her lip but didn't cry when the nurse shaved her head.
"Big sis, will you take me to the amusement park when I'm better?"
Emily squeezed her sister's hand and nodded, her throat too tight to speak.
Just as the gurney was about to enter the operating room, an unknown caller shattered the tense silence.
"Surely Miss Smith isn't too scared to come?" Sophia Song's voice dripped with condescending amusement through the phone.
In the café, Sophia's diamond ring glittered harshly under the sunlight. She stirred her coffee leisurely, but her gaze was razor-sharp.
"I heard your sister's surgery is today?" Sophia said suddenly. "What a coincidence—Daniel and I set our wedding for next month."
Emily's nails dug into her palms. The wall clock showed the surgery had already been underway for fifteen minutes.
"Congratulations." She stood. "If there's nothing else—"
"In such a hurry?" Sophia grabbed her wrist. "Daniel said your taro cakes are delicious. Won't you teach me how to make them?"
The operating room lights flashed red in Emily's mind. She yanked her hand free and bolted, Sophia's knowing laughter chasing after her.
The hospital corridor stretched endlessly. Emily stumbled to the operating room doors just as the surgeon emerged.
"Miss Smith," the doctor removed his mask, "the surgery was a success."
Her legs gave out as she collapsed to the floor, tears finally breaking free. Her phone buzzed again in her pocket—William Johnson's name lit up the screen.