From Ruin, She Rose - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Two years ago, Emily was hated by her parents and brothers. Her fiancé Vincent, who had grown up with her, had also grown tired of her. She lived like a rat everyone wanted to chase away.
So she clung desperately to anything that could prove she hadn't been abandoned.
That was when Vincent called her, saying he had something important to tell her—just the two of them.
His voice over the phone had been so gentle, so full of emotion, that Emily thought maybe they were back to how things were before Lydia came back.
So she left behind the bodyguard Charles had arranged and went alone to that half-built building with no cameras.
But when she got there, it wasn't Vincent waiting for her. It was the Bennetts, holding rope and cloth, saying, "This is for your own good."
They took everything she had and tied her up—sent her straight to that living hell.
Emily had asked herself over and over why Vincent would lie to her.
Lydia had already agreed to be with him. Everyone around them had been helping make that happen.
And he had sworn—he swore he would never lie to her.
But even so, she couldn't help holding on to one last hope. Maybe Vincent hadn't lied. Maybe he really hadn't known she'd been taken. Maybe he'd been searching for her too.
She told herself that the next time they met, she had to ask him—had to find out if he had ever truly betrayed her.
That belief was what helped her survive the endless painful days and nights at St. Gabriel's. She imagined every possible way he might answer.
But she never imagined that what Vincent would say was: "I thought two years would be enough for you to get over it. I didn't think you'd still be this obsessed.
"Emily, your clinginess is really annoying."
Emily went pale and nearly lost her balance. "So you knew where I'd be sent, and you still tricked me into going there?"
"Y-you have any idea what kind of life I lived these past two years?" Her voice shook, low and hoarse, like a hand was squeezing Vincent's heart.
He looked away, guilty, not daring to meet her eyes. But the next second, he felt Lydia gently squeeze his hand. Vincent snapped back to reality and suddenly didn't feel guilty anymore.
He told himself Emily had always refused to accept Lydia. She bullied her and even pushed her down the stairs. If they hadn't sent Emily away, if they hadn't taught her a lesson, she would've ended up hurting Lydia for real.
So he frowned and said coldly, "Everything you went through—you brought it on yourself."
Emily had prepared herself, but she never imagined he'd say that. She didn't even know what she'd done wrong to deserve that kind of punishment.
For a moment, it felt like despair and grief were going to swallow her whole. But at the same time, she had never felt more clear-headed.
'Haven't two years of punishment been enough?' she thought. 'What am I still hoping for?'
Vincent, who'd been full of anger and impatience just a second ago, suddenly froze. For a split second, he remembered the Emily before eighteen—bright, confident, full of life.
He almost wondered if the girl standing in front of him was still the same Emily he used to know.
Lydia had been standing in the back, quietly watching Emily's pale face like none of this had anything to do with her. But when she looked up and saw Vincent staring at Emily in a daze, she suddenly panicked.
"Vincent..." she called softly, snapping him out of it. Her face showed quiet hurt and patience. "Don't be mad at Emily. She just needs some time to accept that we're together now. I believe she'll come around soon."
Vincent looked at her and felt his heart soften. "Lydia, you're always so kind."
Lydia looked down shyly, clearly flustered by the praise. Then, as if something occurred to her, she turned and took a few pieces of clothing from the store manager's arms and ran over to Emily.
She said, "Emily, you've been gone for two years. We all really missed you. Now that you're back, let's live together happily as a family.
"These are my favorite clothes. I want you to have them. Please... please let me be with Vincent, okay?
"I know you love him too, but Vincent loves me. I just can't bear to let him go. You'll give us your blessing, won't you?
"Emily, when Vincent and I get married, will you be my bridesmaid? Only with your blessing can we be truly happy together."
Her voice was soft, sweet, and innocent—but every word stabbed deep into Emily's heart.
Everyone in Cloudridge knew how obsessed Emily used to be with Vincent.
Back when everyone else had turned their backs on her, Emily still clung to Vincent—chasing after him without a shred of dignity, treating him like the only light in her life.
So Lydia had to know just how much her words would hurt.
If this had been the old days, Emily would've shoved her away in anger and screamed at her in front of everyone.
That was why both Vincent and Emma instinctively reached out to shield Lydia, fully expecting Emily to snap.
But they forgot—that was the Emily from two years ago.
Now, after hearing those words, Emily didn't feel anything. It was like all the obsession and bitterness had faded the moment Vincent said, "You brought it on yourself."
She looked at Lydia calmly and nodded with quiet sincerity. "Sure. I hope you two have a happy life together—and stay that way forever. Is that good enough?"
Her reaction shocked everyone. Vincent and Emma's hands froze midair and stayed there for several seconds.
Lydia was stunned too. She clutched the clothes tighter, unsure what had just happened.
After thinking for a bit, she broke into a bright smile, as if Emily's words had made her really happy. "Emily, I'm so glad you've come around."
She held the clothes out toward Emily. "Come on, try them on. If you like any of them, maybe you can wear one at the wedding—as a bridesmaid."
Emily hadn't liked Lydia's touch two years ago. Now she hated anyone touching her. It reminded her of the people at St. Gabriel's—the way they got close with bad intentions, like rats crawling out of the gutter.
Just as she was about to step away, Lydia suddenly grabbed her arm. The next second, Lydia's face twisted in fear, and she screamed. "Emily, what are you doing?!"
She yanked Emily's hand and pulled it toward her shoulder. The clothes she was holding hid their movements from everyone else, making it look like Emily had pushed her.
The scene instantly brought Emily back to that moment two years ago—when she had "pushed Lydia down the stairs."
Back then, Lydia had done the same thing—grabbed her hand, placed it on her own shoulder, then turned her back to the Bennetts and tumbled down.
As that memory flashed in her mind, panic surged through Emily.
She couldn't go through that again. She couldn't be sent back to St. Gabriel's.