From Ruin, She Rose - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Emma slapped Emily hard across the face. She used almost all her strength—her hand went numb.
But she didn't care. She just glared at Emily in fury. "I thought you'd grown up, but you haven't changed one bit.
"Lydia's always been kind to you, always willing to share whatever good things she has. But you not only bullied her at home—you're still acting the same way in public. Did you forget everything I taught you?
"Emily, I'm so disappointed in you!"
Emily's ear was ringing from the slap. For a second, she thought she was back at St. Gabriel's—the only place where people hit her for no reason.
It took a while before the buzzing in her ears faded. Just in time to catch Emma's last sentence.
She couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh in her heart.
Ever since Lydia showed up, the Bennetts had always been disappointed in Emily—no matter what.
Emily turned her head slowly and spoke like she was stating a simple fact. "That's the second time you've hit me, Mrs. Bennett."
The first time was when Emma thought she had pushed Lydia down the stairs.
Seeing Emily's red, swollen cheek and that oddly calm look in her eyes, Emma suddenly froze in the middle of her anger.
For a moment, she couldn't believe she was the one who hit Emily like that. Her hand even trembled a little.
Emma had loved and spoiled Emily since she was little. She had always protected her and never thought she'd raise a hand against her.
But she told herself Emily had gone too far.
She believed Lydia truly saw Emily as a sister and always tried to be thoughtful. But Emily kept fighting with her over everything and always picked on her.
Emma convinced herself that if Emily hadn't crossed the line, she never would've hit her.
Like she'd finally found the perfect excuse, Emma repeated firmly, "You went too far. You kept bullying Lydia. That's why I hit you."
It wasn't the first time she'd used that excuse.
Emily looked at Lydia, who stood off to the side, all quiet and hurt, like none of this had anything to do with her.
Then Emily asked the question she had been holding in for a long time. "Mrs. Bennett, can you please tell me how exactly I've bullied Ms. Bennett?"
Emma flared up again. "Still trying to deny it?
"Sure, you grew up with Vincent. But the one he truly loves is Lydia. They were the ones who were engaged from the start.
"Lydia has treated you with nothing but kindness. But you gave her the cold shoulder in public and said all those snide things. If that's not bullying, then what is?"
Emma's words seemed to make Lydia feel even more wronged. She pouted, looking like she was about to cry.
She gently tugged on Emma's hand. "Mom, don't blame Emily. After all, she grew up with Vincent. It's normal that she can't let go of all those years of feelings.
"This is all my fault. If only I hadn't come back, Emily and Vincent would still be the perfect match."
Emma quickly pulled her into a hug. "Lydia, you silly girl, how could this be your fault? You're the one who's engaged to Vincent, and you love each other. You two are the real perfect match."
Lydia still looked hesitant. "But Emily..."
She seemed torn. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she said, "Emily, I used to think I was an orphan, so I always dreamed of having a family.
"Now that I have one, I'm already so grateful. I won't fight you for Vincent. I-I'll give him up to you. I won't marry Vincent."
She sounded firm, but her voice and face were full of sadness and humiliation. By the end, she was crying again.
Emily felt a sharp headache. She didn't know if it was from Emma's slap or because, even after she'd explained everything so clearly, Lydia still insisted on misunderstanding her.
As Lydia sniffled and sobbed, a voice suddenly rang out. "Lydia, if you're not marrying me, who are you going to marry?"
Everyone turned toward the entrance. A handsome man in a white shirt walked in. It was Vincent.
He walked straight toward Lydia, his eyes full of warmth. "Yesterday you said I was the one you loved most. Why don't you want to marry me today?"
Tears still hung at the corners of Lydia's eyes, but when she saw Vincent, she lit up with surprise and shyness. Her voice grew soft and sweet. "Vincent..."
The moment Emily saw Vincent's familiar face again, all the color drained from hers.
In the past two years, she had imagined this moment so many times—how she'd react when she saw him again.
She thought she'd throw herself into his arms and tell him how scared and miserable she'd been at St. Gabriel's. She thought she'd yell at him, full of rage. She thought she'd walk up and slap him, asking why he'd lied to her back then.
He had said he'd love her and only her for the rest of his life. But after Lydia returned, he said he'd only ever seen her as a friend. That he felt sick just thinking someone so "cruel and twisted" had ever loved him.
Maybe her gaze burned too hot—Vincent turned and looked her way.
At first, he didn't seem to recognize the shy, skinny girl standing there who looked vaguely familiar.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, uncertain. "Emily?"
There was a trace of surprise in his voice. He started to walk toward her, but Lydia grabbed his hand.
"Vincent..." she pouted, and the tears in her eyes looked like they were about to fall again—but she forced them back.
She looked hurt and stubborn. "Emily saw you buying me all these clothes and thought I was showing off. But I really didn't mean to.
"I didn't know she still loved you. I don't want to lose you either, but if giving you up will help Emily accept me as her family... I-I'm willing to let you go."
Her voice trembled with emotion, like she was making the hardest decision of her life. Her words and expression were full of sadness.
Seeing her like that, Vincent stopped in his tracks and pulled his foot back. "Silly girl," he said gently. "Love doesn't work like that. And besides, I was engaged to you from the start."
Lydia blushed shyly at his words, but her face still showed a bit of hesitation. "But Emily..."
Vincent seemed to remember who Emily was—his former fiancée, the girl who used to follow him everywhere, always jealous of Lydia, always full of dark thoughts. His brow furrowed deeply.
He looked at Emily again, but now the surprise in his eyes was gone, replaced by coldness and disgust.
Emily knew that look too well. But even so, it still hurt.
He used to look at her with nothing but joy and affection. But somewhere along the way, he started looking at Lydia the same way.
And after that, Lydia was the only one in his eyes.
Vincent's voice turned stiff. "What are you doing back here?"
The way he said it—like he didn't want to see her again—stabbed right through Emily's heart.
Even though she'd already told herself to let go, even though she had already guessed the truth about a lot of things, she still couldn't stop clinging to that last bit of hope.
"Mr. Shaw," she said, "I want to ask you something. Two years ago, you said there was something important you needed to tell me. What was it?"