Chapter 35 Meeting John's Parents

The next day at work, Emily was on edge, super nervous about having dinner with John's parents tonight.

Even though Emily had a good relationship with John's parents when she was a kid, she hadn't seen them since she grew up and got married.

She kept pacing around the room, earning a few eye rolls from David.

David, holding a ladle, watched Emily pace and lost his appetite. "If something's bugging you, just spill it, okay? You're really killing my vibe here. Did you break up or something? Just tell me, and I'll try to cheer you up."

"Don't jump to conclusions." Emily blushed a bit, stopped pacing, and sat down to eat with David.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" David asked playfully, but he sneaked a glance at Emily, hoping for an answer.

"No." Emily shook her head honestly; she had just gotten divorced.

David was thrilled and stayed in a good mood all day, which left Emily puzzled.

After work, John's car showed up right on time at the rehab center entrance. He got out like a gentleman and opened the passenger door for Emily, smiling warmly, "Emily, let's go. My parents are already getting dinner ready."

"Let's grab some gifts first, John." It had been ages since Emily last saw John's parents, and she didn't want to show up empty-handed.

John's smile widened as he opened the trunk, which was packed with gift boxes. "I've got it all covered, Emily. Don't worry. Just follow me."

John was super thoughtful, even to a fake girlfriend like Emily. She couldn't imagine how he'd treat a real girlfriend.

Emily felt relieved and smiled, "John, you're making me feel useless."

"You just need to play the part of my girlfriend."

Emily's clean face in the sunset was adorable, and John resisted the urge to pinch her cheek, instead patting her head.

He couldn't help but feel proud; the girl he liked had always been the best.

The Williams Villa was near the Johnson Villa, still the same building as when they were kids, though many things had been updated.

From a distance, the white building nestled among lush trees looked like a fairytale castle.

The privacy of the villa area was top-notch; from the Johnson Villa, you couldn't see what was happening at the Williams Villa.

Emily felt at ease.

As soon as Emily got out of the car, a familiar lady walked out from the front door, smiling warmly at her, "Emily, John finally brought you here. I've missed you so much!"

"I should have come to see you a long time ago." Feeling Ella's warmth, Emily couldn't help but feel touched.

Since Ava passed away, this was the first time she had met someone who felt like a mother to her.

The lady was John's mom, Ella Garcia. Beside her stood a man in a sharp dark suit, with a white handkerchief peeking out of his chest pocket, looking composed and elegant.

This was John's dad, Finn Williams, who also smiled warmly and hugged Ella. "Don't scare Emily. She's already nervous. Let's go inside and eat."

Ella shot Finn a look, then warmly took Emily's arm and led her inside.

In the dining room, a spread of dishes was already laid out. Ella seated Emily at the table. "Emily, I made all of this myself. Just try it."

Finn and John also took their seats, smiling at Emily.

Emily's nerves melted away. Instead, she felt a wave of emotion and a lump in her throat. She hadn't expected such warmth from the Williams family after eight years.

Meanwhile, Aiden, who was related to her by blood, had used Ava's remains to threaten her, which was just pathetic.

But in front of the Williams family, Emily didn't show her sadness and chatted and laughed with them.

After all, Ella had watched Emily grow up, and aside from the initial awkwardness of not seeing each other for a long time, they quickly reminisced about old times. Both sides tactfully avoided mentioning Emily's marriage and divorce over the past eight years.

"Emily, you should have come here for meals long ago. Even if you're not dating John, I've always considered myself your godmother." Ella looked at Emily with growing fondness.

Ella liked gentle and straightforward girls like Emily. If she had a daughter like Emily, she would shower her with all her love.

Unlike John, who was mischievous as a kid and silent as an adult, leaving little to talk about with Ella.

Ella had always liked Emily. When Ava was alive, the two families often visited each other. But after Ava passed away, Mia was too scheming for Ella's liking, so they gradually lost contact.

Ella had regretted not being able to see the lovely Emily anymore.

She hadn't expected John to start dating Emily now, which pleased Ella.

But Ella had long noticed that John had always admired Emily since they were young.

Although they hadn't seen each other for several years, they were together now.

Emily didn't know what John had told his family. She had prepared a lot of explanations, but Ella and Finn didn't ask anything and treated her like a daughter, as if the years of estrangement had never existed.

Emily's eyes welled up, but she held back her tears and sincerely responded to Ella's every word.

However, Finn and John didn't stay in the dining room for long; they went to the study.

Ella didn't mind and continued chatting with Emily.

It wasn't until Emily was about to leave that John and Finn came out of the study.

"John, make sure to get Emily home safely. Be nice to her." Finn gave a few words of advice and said no more.

Ella reluctantly said goodbye to Emily and asked her to come back for dinner in a few days.

But Emily felt a strange heaviness in the air.

On the way back to her apartment, Emily couldn't help but ask, "John, is my problem really difficult?"

John's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he smiled, "It's not difficult. Don't overthink it."