Chapter 65 Stay Away from Her

Olivia was about to blow a gasket, but Michael's words hit her right where it hurt. She could only shoot desperate looks at James and Grace for backup.

Grace was just as stunned by Michael's outburst, but she couldn't treat him like she did Emily. Plus, with Michael standing right there, his chubby cheeks making him look so darn cute, her heart melted. "Olivia's just worried about you."

"I don't need her worrying about me," Michael pouted, counting on his fingers. "I've got Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, and Great-grandma. With all these people caring about me, I don't need her. I don't like her. Grandma, can you make her leave?"

Grace was at a loss, so she just hugged Michael and gave a weak smile.

Olivia sat awkwardly on the other side of the table, feeling both angry and embarrassed.

Neither Grace nor James stepped in to defend Olivia against Michael's harsh words.

In that tense atmosphere, Olivia couldn't just storm off, so she sat there, red-faced and silent.

'Emily, you're gonna pay for this!' Olivia fumed.

For a moment, the only sound at the table was the soft clinking of forks against plates.

"Michael, come to Mommy, don't bother your grandma," Emily said, breaking the tension.

After dinner, it was getting late.

Sophia wasn't doing well, so they didn't stick around. Emily and James took Michael and left Serenity Manor.

"I'll visit you next time," Emily said, holding Sophia's frail hand.

Sophia smiled and patted her head. "You can come anytime, even by yourself. You're always welcome here. You don't have to wait for James's spare time."

Emily's heart skipped a beat, wondering if Sophia had picked up on something.

She looked up, a bit panicked, but Sophia's face was all warmth and love. "It's okay, Emily. If you ever have any problems, just tell me, and I'll handle it."

A wave of warmth washed over her, and Emily's eyes filled with tears. She quickly said goodbye before she started crying. It was one of the few moments of genuine warmth she'd felt.

As they were leaving, Grace asked James to take Olivia home, and Emily took Michael to the back seat.

James glanced at Emily and let Olivia sit in the front.

The car ride home was silent.

Emily felt a bit relieved. With Olivia there, she didn't have to deal with James's unreasonable demands.

When the car stopped in front of Emily's apartment, she kissed Michael on the cheek, said goodbye, and got out.

She didn't even say goodbye to James.

James watched her walk away, his face dark, but then he noticed a man coming out of her apartment.

John had swung by Emily's place after work. Since she got sick, he had a spare key.

When he saw Emily coming back, he quickly opened the door, his face full of worry. It was chilly outside, so he hurried over and draped his coat over her shoulders.

Emily looked a bit pale, which made his heart ache. He couldn't help but speak with a bit of anger, "Emily, you just had surgery. You haven't fully recovered, and you're out and about. Aren't you worried about complications?"

"John," Emily pleaded, "It was an emergency today. I won't do it again."

Just as they were about to go inside, James suddenly slammed the car door and got out, blocking their way.

The tension between James and John was immediate.

James's face was dark and full of hostility. "John, you couldn't even protect her child, what nerve do you have to be here?"

John looked at James with disdain, thinking James was too stupid to realize the child wasn't his, but he was too tired to clear it up.

"I'm just here to see Emily. It's none of your business. You two are divorced, so stop bothering her. Our matters are none of your concern," John replied calmly, not even glancing at James as he led Emily inside.

"She was with you, and you let her work at Moonlit Tavern? She was bullied and lost her child. Now you come to see her? You're no better," James sneered, raising his chin at Emily. "Emily, you left me for this? If you stay away from him, I'll give you anything you want."

John couldn't hold back anymore and punched James in the face.

James reacted quickly, dodging to the side, but the punch still grazed his cheek, leaving a red mark.

"You're asking for trouble!" James's anger surged, and he retaliated with a punch. John took the hit, and blood immediately seeped from the corner of his mouth.

They started fighting, throwing punches and kicks, each move ruthless.

"Enough!" Emily finally shouted, standing at the door, watching them fight, tears filling her eyes.

Hearing her voice, they stopped, panting heavily, still glaring at each other with hostility.

Olivia had also gotten out of the car, anxiously looking at James's injury. "James."

But James didn't even look at Olivia, gritting his teeth as he stared at Emily. "Emily, come here!"

Emily ignored him, her tears falling on John's injured arm. "John, come inside with me!"

John obediently followed Emily, not forgetting to turn and give James a provocative smile.

"Emily, come with me!" James gritted his teeth, his eyes red as he watched Emily and John enter the house together.

"James, you're hurt. Let me get back to treat your wound," Olivia gently tugged at James's sleeve, but he pushed her away roughly. "Don't touch me!"