Chapter 69 James Told Her to Go Back.

'If I see that guy, I'm gonna give him a good beating. And it won't be long now. I'll definitely break free from his control. Then Emily won't have to work so hard. I'll give her a better life; she deserves it.' David kept these thoughts to himself, then pursed his lips and acted like he didn't care. "Those guys are all liars. Once I can get out of here, you won't have to work so hard."

"I know. Just get better soon. When you're feeling better, how about I take you out to eat?" Emily said.

"Deal!" David's eyes lit up with happiness.

Emily smiled and ruffled his hair.

David had been in the rehab center for so long, and Emily still didn't know what was wrong with him. The director only said that David's mental state was really bad, so he couldn't be left alone.

But apart from her, David was cold and indifferent to everyone else.

Emily didn't know what had happened to David, or why his parents never came to see him. But she never asked. She just spent more time with David, even bringing him along when she studied.

Sometimes, she felt like David already knew all this stuff. He always looked bored with the practice sheets she worked on.

But when David actually did the work, he kept asking her for help.

At the Smith Villa, Olivia sat at the dining table, stirring her coffee absentmindedly, glancing at the door every now and then.

It was really late, the servants had gone to bed, but James still wasn't back.

Ever since Emily's child was aborted and James had fought with John at Emily's door, Olivia had had some good days.

But James still hadn't made love to her, and they barely saw each other.

Emily had already been with John in front of James, but James was still so cold to Olivia.

'Could it be that James still likes Emily?' Olivia wondered, her face growing darker and uglier, the sound of the spoon clinking against the cup piercing, and she hadn't taken a sip of her coffee.

After a long while, she heard the sound of a car outside. Olivia immediately adjusted her expression, letting tears fall down her cheeks.

James saw her as soon as he walked in. After changing his shoes and taking off his coat, he spoke wearily, "Olivia, didn't I tell you not to wait up for me?"

Olivia didn't respond, still hanging her head.

"Olivia? Olivia!" James was suddenly alarmed, calling her name twice and quickly walking over to her.

Olivia had severe depression; he couldn't take it lightly.

He carefully checked her for any injuries, and only then did he relax, rubbing his temples and speaking softly, "Olivia, what's wrong?"

Olivia finally looked up. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face streaked with tears, looking very pitiful. "James, do you not like me anymore? Has Emily entirely captured your heart, leaving no room for me?"

James stood there, stunned.

Looking at Olivia's face, he inexplicably thought of Emily. Every time Emily cried, her eyes and nose would turn red, making his heart soften.

Olivia noticed James's gaze, like he was seeing Emily through her, and she was fuming inside. She grabbed the fruit knife on the table and held it to her neck, saying, "If you don't love me, then what's the point of living? I suffered so much abroad, and Emily still had people come hurt me. I can never measure up to her!"

James snapped back to reality, taking a couple of steps forward and speaking anxiously, "No, Olivia, I have no feelings for her at all!"

"Don't come any closer!" Olivia shouted, pressing the blade closer to her neck, tears streaming down. "You said you have no feelings for her, but why won't you punish her for hurting me?"

"I..." James was at a loss for words, feeling like something inside him was about to burst out. "It's just because she's Michael's biological mother."

"But James, I just want an apology!" Olivia said.

"Okay, put the knife down first. I'll have her come to apologize to you. I'll call her over. As long as she doesn't get hurt, you can deal with her however you want, okay?" James took a few steps towards Olivia, and while she was momentarily distracted by his words, he quickly knocked the knife out of her hand.

Olivia hadn't really intended to hurt herself, so she went along with it and fell into James's arms, crying.

Her voice was choked with sobs, but her face showed a strange smile. "James, you said it. If she doesn't apologize, I can deal with her however I want."

"Yes." James gently patted Olivia's back.

After everything that had happened that night, he felt utterly exhausted.

He should love Olivia, but now, faced with her extreme emotions, he just wanted to quickly resolve the situation and couldn't be bothered to comfort her.

Maybe he was just too tired lately.

The next day, the Smith Family's butler called Emily and asked her to come over.

It wasn't the time she usually saw Michael, so Emily felt a bit nervous.

"Ms. Johnson, Mr. Smith said that if you don't come back, you'll never see Michael again." The butler's tone was flat, but each word pierced Emily's heart like a knife.

In between her studies, Emily made time to go to the Smith Villa. As she walked into the Smith Villa's hall, the cold air made her shiver. The hall was empty, with only a few servants busying about. She looked around, trying to find something familiar, but everything had changed, completely different from when she was there.

Emily didn't see Michael, only James in comfortable loungewear, and Olivia in a light-colored dress, looking even more haggard, in the living room.

During this time, with John's care, David's support, and the knowledge she had gained, Emily appeared more radiant.

The two of them looked unwell, while Emily, who had just rushed over, seemed more spirited.

"Where's Michael?" The atmosphere was tense, but Emily still asked.

She just wanted to see Michael; she had no interest in their issues.

"He missed my mom, so he went to stay with her for a couple of days," James said.

'Then why did you call me back?' Emily wondered.

Grace might not have treated Emily well, but Grace was indeed good to Michael.

Emily felt relieved but also a bit speechless. She had wasted a whole morning of study time for nothing. But she didn't want to argue, so she turned to leave.

"Emily." James suddenly called out to her, "Stop!"