Chapter 481 Instigation
"Emma, there's something I've been holding back for a long time. But after seeing Lucas take you to visit George, I finally decided I had to tell you. Even if you think I'm a jerk for causing trouble between you and your son, I can't keep quiet anymore." Michael sighed deeply.
His eyes were filled with such genuine affection for Emma that she couldn't help but trust him completely.
But Michael's words were so provocative that Emma felt a pang of unease. She didn't know how to respond.
She wanted to ignore any bad things said about Lucas, but Michael's voice clung to her like a shadow. She looked at him seriously and said, "Michael, I trust you completely. No matter what you say, I believe you. So, tell me. I can handle it."
"Do you know why Lucas wanted to take you to see George?" Michael's sudden question caught Emma off guard.
Why did the topic suddenly shift to this?
"Of course, it's because George is Lucas's father. Lucas is a kind child; he cares about George and wants me to visit him too."
"Emma, do you really think that's a reasonable explanation?" Michael paused before continuing, "If Lucas just wanted to care for George, why didn't he go alone? Why did he insist on taking you with him? Have you thought about that?"
Emma fell silent.
Yeah, why did Lucas insist she visit George? And at the hospital, Lucas even wanted her to take care of George.
George was a patient, but wasn't she one too?
Why was she always the one expected to give?
Why did everyone demand her selflessness?
Would those people not survive without her?
Whether it was George or Charles, they would live just fine without her.
The world would keep turning without anyone. The Russell family was no exception.
"You're smart; you must have figured it out. Lucas is using you to reconcile with George, sacrificing your life in the process. Everyone knows how horribly George treated you in the past, but no one cares except your friends and me. Even strangers, when they see George showing you a bit of kindness, are moved and say he's changed. What makes him think his changes warrant your forgiveness? If you weren't married back then, his actions alone would have landed him in jail."
He continued, "He was trying to kill you! It's a simple concept, right? But everyone insists that you, the victim, forgive the murderer, take care of the murderer, love the murderer. Why?"
Emma was lost in thought, Michael's questions echoing in her mind. Why should she forgive George?
Just because she once loved George, did she have to dedicate her life to him?
Even though George had nearly driven her to death, as long as he showed a bit of affection, everyone forgave him on her behalf.
So, deep affection was this cheap?
Emma didn't care much about what others thought of her. What hurt the most was what Michael had just told her—on the island, Lucas chose George over her.
Lucas's first choice wasn't her; it was George.
With Lucas connecting her to George, could she ever truly escape George?
What was the point of all her efforts?
At that moment, Emma couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment towards Lucas. But then, her rational mind forced her to stop.
Lucas was her child; she couldn't think that way!
But the thought had already appeared, and she couldn't control her mind.
Emma lay in bed and gradually fell asleep. In her dream, she saw a terrifying future.
After she brought Lucas back to Sunterra, he grew into a highly successful businessman.
Emma handed over all her and Michael's businesses to Lucas, thinking they could finally enjoy retirement. But Lucas betrayed them.
He became increasingly cold towards Emma, treating her like a pawn that had been used and discarded.
Lucas took her villa and placed her in a small, rundown apartment in Sunterra, a dark, shabby corner barely fit for living. The allowance he gave her was pitiful, and he rarely showed any concern. Emma realized she was nothing more than a burden to Lucas.
One day, Lucas visited her. Emma hoped it was out of concern, but he delivered the harshest accusation. "Emma, you ruined everything for me! You took me to Sunterra, separating me from my father and family. I missed my father, my mother Anna, my family so much!"
Lucas's eyes were filled with deep resentment. "Why did you do this to me? Why did you take me away? I hate you! You destroyed everything I could have had!"
As Emma aged, Lucas abandoned her completely. She survived by scavenging, wandering the cold streets in tattered clothes. Her once beautiful face was now wrinkled and haggard, a shadow of her former self.
Meanwhile, in her dream, Lucas returned to George and Anna. They formed a perfect, happy family. George's career soared, Anna was the epitome of a perfect wife, and Lucas became the family's pride and joy. They lived in a grand, luxurious villa, the picture of happiness.
In the end, Emma lay under a dilapidated bridge, surrounded by the trash she had collected. The cold wind pierced her worn clothes, and she curled up, eyes filled with despair. Passersby ignored her.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
