Chapter 198
EMILIA
It’s kind of amazing, honestly – how every step hurts like I’m walking on nails. I can barely breathe by the time I flip the sign to CLOSED and collapse into the nearest chair. It’s not even noon.
–
—
“I think I need to hire help,” I mutter, tying my curls into a messy knot. It’s freezing outside — cold enough to make my toes ache but I’m sweating like I just ran a marathon through hell.
Tessa slides in, clocking me from behind her phone. “Finally decided to stop being a cheapskate?” She snorts, but whatever she sees on my face makes her dial it back. She puts the phone down, opens the crumpled paper bag she brought for lunch. The smell alone is enough to make my stomach growl.
“Okay, okay,” Tessa says, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. “I‘ 11 stop laughing. It’s just… shocking. I always figured you’d rather keel over on the bakery floor than hire help and part with money.
”
I roll my eyes, but my attention shifts fast as she pulls out containers of steaming food and hands me a pair of chopsticks. Chinese. Praise be.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” I sigh dramatically, tying my curls tighter. “But I’m not the same spring chicken I was when this place opened.”
“You mean when you were unemployed.”
“Keep talking and I’ll show you a very creative use for these chopsticks.”
0.00%
18.12
Chapter 198
1298 Vouchers
Tessa snorts, already digging into the paper bag like she hasn’t caten since 2003. “Is there any chili sauce in the back? Dumplings hit different when you smear it on top. You should try it sometime.”
I shoot her a withering look. “You’re revolting. Top cabinet, left side, next to the sesame oil. Try not to break anything.”
“Sure, honeycomb.”
Once we’re done eating, she doesn’t waste a second. One peppery kiss on my cheek and she’s out the door again, mumbling something about getting back before her break officially ends. I watch her leave, then glance around the quiet bakery.
I follow her lead.
After a long moment of debate, I leave the sign flipped on CLOSED and decide to shut down early.
It’s becoming a pattern. Closing before the afternoon rush, skipping out before I run into her. I know it’s bad for business, but I tell myself it’s good for my sanity.
Funny how time slips by. It’s already been a few weeks since Diana stormed out of Tessa’s apartment, taking her threats, her rent hike, and her lunacy with her. She really wasn’t bluffing about tripling the rent. Tess and I had to sell that hideous rug she left behind to make this month’s payment, and she’s already scouring listings like it’s her full- time job.
—
I try not to dwell too much on everything Diana said. Mostly because none of it makes sense and the parts that do feel like puzzle pieces I‘ m not sure I want to fit together. It’s uncomfortable, realizing that all the chaos that’s wrecked me for months may have just been a pissing contest between my sister and her fiancé. But if it means she’s now too
18.66%
000
18.12
Chapter 198
busy cleaning up her mess to make me part of it, then fine. I’ll take the peace however it comes.
Things have been better lately. With Tessa. Even with Liam – though he’s been so busy we barely catch each other. We used to call every day, but now it’s more like whenever the time zones cooperate and he’s not crashing straight after a game.
I’ve gotten used to missing him. Doesn’t mean it sucks any less.
After tidying up the bakery, I slip through the back. Easiest way out, minimal risk of human interaction. I’ve just flipped the lights, the taxi’s five minutes out, and I’m moments away from a clean getaway-
-when the universe decides to play dirty.
Standing by the back gate, arms straining with overstuffed grocery bags and disappointment practically steaming off her, is the one person I’ve been dodging like it’s my new religion.
Mrs. Beckett.
Well, shit.
I keep my face blank and my pace steady, angling to slip past like she’s just another shadow
in the alley. But she clocks me instantly, setting her bags down with a soft thud and stepping directly into my path.
Classic blockade.
Fine. Plan B. I pivot on my heel, fully ready to unlock the backdoor and make a dramatic exit through the front, when she sighs – loud and
–
weary and says quietly, “Emilia.“.
I freeze. Don’t turn. Don’t breathe.
41.10%
18:12 D
Chapter 198
Another sigh. Closer this time. “You won’t even look at me. I thought I was imagining it, but you’ve really been avoiding me. Can you at least tell me what I did?”
Slowly, I turn my head, just enough to shoot her a look that could curdle cream. “So you can pass it along to my sister’s fiancé? Save it.”
The words hit. She blinks, stunned, mouth opening slightly before she shuts it again.
“So… you know.”
“You won’t deny it? Not even a pathetic lie?” I shake my head.
She exhales hard, glancing back at the street. “I only meant to step out for a few minutes. Angel and Theo are at home napping, but I shouldn‘ t leave them alone. Come over. I’ll make lunch for the four of us.”
“I’ve already eaten.” I shove my key into the lock and twist. The click echoes. Behind me, she fumbles for the right words.
“I know it looks bad, but it wasn’t anything sinister. He reached out to me and said he was worried you wouldn’t be adjusting well to NYC. He just wanted someone to keep an eye out.”
How considerate, for a man I’ve never even met.
I pause. “So he paid you to spy on me.”
She flinches, gaze dropping to her hands. “I have two kids. And it was easy money from doing little things. Whether you were at work, if you seemed okay, if you’d made any new friends. He said not to tell you about it, but it didn’t feel malicious, I swear. I didn’t think it would hurt you. I’m… I’m sorry, Emilia.”
Her voice is soft. Wounded, maybe. But all I hear is betrayal.
59.62%
18.12
Chapter 198
I shake my head once, then step inside and shut the door behind me. Lock it
A ping draws my eyes to my phone. Taxi’s here.
I head for the front door without slowing down, barely registering the sound of her hurried footsteps as I slip out into the street. Her silhouette moves behind me, but I don’t look back.
“Good afternoon,” I say to the driver, voice steady as ever. “Let’s go.”
Author’s Note:
Hi loves,
—
I know I’ve been away for a little while, and I just wanted to check in and say
I haven’t dropped this book. While I initially planned to finish it in July, things didn’t quite go as expected, so I’m aiming for August instead. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
To be transparent, the past few weeks have been a lot. Between finals and some sudden health issues, I really struggled to keep up. I tried to push through, but after a pretty/scary incident (I temporarily lost both my vision and hearing) and having to alternate between college and the hospital, I realized I needed to pause and take care of myself.
Thankfully, I’m doing much better now and feel well enough to ease back into writing. I’ll be more consistent with updates going forward, and I truly appreciate everyone who’s stuck with Emilia & Liam’s story through all of this.
–
Thank you for being here. Please take care of yourselves too – your health always comes first.
With love,
80.22%
19.12
Chapter 198
Miss Anonymous.
