Chapter 310 Belated Affection
"Dad, how can you say that? I'm doing this for the Russell family! She's just an outsider!"
Scarlett wanted to say more, but no one was listening.
Charles walked over to Emma, his eyes a mix of affection and regret. "Emma, the Russell family owes you, and I'll do everything I can to make it right. This key is to one of our properties. You should check it out. There might be something there you need to see."
Emma took the key. "Thanks, Grandpa. I'll go take a look."
Charles nodded. "Emma, no matter what you decide to do to the Russell family, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."
Emma held the key Charles had given her, feeling a whirlwind of emotions.
She glanced back at the heavy, carved wooden door, Charles's loving and apologetic gaze lingering in her mind. Charles truly cared about her, and she couldn't shake off the deep guilt she felt towards him.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked towards the car parked by the road. Once in the driver's seat, she started the engine. The car slowly pulled away from the Russell Mansion, and Emma kept her eyes on the rearview mirror until the mansion disappeared from sight.
As the car drove through the city streets, Emma's thoughts drifted far away.
She remembered the day three years ago when she faked her death and left. Back then, she was filled with despair and pain, and Charles was the only person in the Russell family who made her feel warm.
Charles had always tried to protect her, but leaving him behind must have caused him immense heartache.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry," Emma whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
The car eventually stopped in front of a quiet villa. Emma got out and stood at the door, holding the key. She took a deep breath, inserted the key into the lock, and gently turned it. The door opened, and a faint scent of wood greeted her.
Emma walked into the villa, her eyes scanning every corner of the living room. The decor was simple yet elegant, and the walls were covered with sketches, all of her. As she looked closer, she realized that George had drawn them, each stroke delicate and lifelike.
She continued further inside and found the walls covered with her name, written over and over. Her gaze fell on the coffee table, piled high with envelopes, each one a letter of apology from George. She picked one up and opened it, recognizing George's familiar handwriting.
[Emma, I'm sorry. I know a simple apology can't make up for the pain I've caused you, but I want you to know that I regret it every day. I regret not cherishing you, regret making you suffer so much. I know you may never forgive me, but I want you to know that I've never stopped loving you. This villa is for you, filled with my thoughts and love for you. Emma, if you see this, I hope you know that I've never given up on you.]
Emma's fingers gently traced the words on the paper. She opened more envelopes, each letter filled with George's remorse and love.
She walked to the closet and found it filled with replicas of the clothes she used to wear. The originals had burned in a fire, and George had bought identical ones to replace them.
In the study, she found a thick sketchbook on the desk. She opened it and saw it was filled with drawings of her.
Holding George's sketchbook, Emma looked out with a complex expression. Her heart was torn, filled with both disgust for George and memories of the past.
Just then, the villa door opened softly, and Michael walked in.
He scanned the walls of sketches and the pile of apology letters, his brow furrowing with a hint of disgust. "These are all from George?"
Emma turned and nodded. "Yeah, he left his false affection here."
Michael sneered, kicking aside the letters on the floor. "Affection? Belated feelings are worth less than dirt. Has he forgotten what he did to you? Now he pretends to be remorseful; it's laughable."
Emma's gaze turned steely, her voice resolute. "Michael, you're right. Belated feelings are worthless. I won't be swayed by his tricks. I'll never forget the pain he caused me."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Michael's eyes as he gently took Emma's hand. "Emma, I'm glad you see it that way. George doesn't deserve your forgiveness. You deserve better, and I'll always be by your side."
Emma leaned lightly on Michael's shoulder. "Michael, thank you. Without you, I might have been fooled by his tricks. No, I might not have had the chance to come back for revenge. Now, I see clearly that he's not worth any of my emotions."
Michael gently stroked Emma's hair, his voice tender. "You don't need to be troubled by his hypocrisy. A better life awaits us."
Emma nodded. "Don't worry, George's little tricks are just fleeting. I won't let him affect us."
Michael's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he kissed Emma's forehead. "Emma, you truly are my most trusted partner and love."
"Michael, I don't want to see these filthy things."
"Alright, as you wish."
As night fell, flames engulfed the villa, thick smoke billowing into the sky. Emma and Michael stood at a distance, watching coldly. The fire consumed every inch of the villa, turning George's sketches, apology letters, and the wall of names to ashes.
Michae smirked, "These things would only trouble you. Burning them is the only way to completely rid ourselves of the past."
Emma's gaze was icy. "Yes, these things should have disappeared long ago. George's remorse and false affection are nothing but a hypocritical act to me."
Just then, the screech of brakes echoed from afar. George leaped out of his car and, seeing the inferno before him, his face turned pale. Without hesitation, he ran towards the villa, shouting, "No!"
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