Chapter 15
When Sarah rushed home, she found Emma passed out on the couch from crying. Sarah noticed the dried tears on her face and realized something serious had
happened.
She quickly woke Emma up to show her the local news.
The headline read: “Sutton Police Arrest Allegedly Mentally Disturbed Asian Man.” The photo showed James in his black coat, looking haggard and vacant–eyed in the
interrogation room.
Emma kept scrolling. The news article described James in detail: “The man claims. he spent three days lurking around hospitals searching for his pregnant runaway wife. He damaged hospital property in a moment of impulse. The suspect showed extreme emotional instability during questioning, suggesting possible mental
illness.”
Sarah’s face hardened as she demanded, “You’re pregnant?”
With the lie exposed, Emma confessed: “Yes, I am.”
Sarah bit her lip, her voice trembling: “Really? In my mind, you’re still just a little
girl…”
Emma avoided the topic, saying instead: “James found out about the pregnancy.
and followed me to London.”
“Look at him – he’s being labeled mentally ill just trying to find you. It’s terrifying. What would he do if he actually found you? I feel like he’d kill you!”
Sarah was furious, wishing James would stay locked up.
“Oh right, who’s this mistress? Did James cheat while you were pregnant?”
Emma felt dizzy with exhaustion as she answered: “Yes, Lucy Hayes, she’s a singer.” The news story wasn’t major – James wasn’t a public figure, but Lucy was. Lucy’s paparazzi had already photographed James. If her fans discovered he’d been arrested in London, the situation would become even messier. Learning the full story, Sarah sat stunned for a few minutes before searching Lucy’s name online.
“Her? From that small label? No connections, no talent no wonder she keeps
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releasing albums. She made it by being a homewrecker! What a piece of work!” Sarah couldn’t stop cursing Lucy.
Emma was beyond caring about Lucy now. She just hoped James wouldn’t find her. and cause trouble before her important interview in two days.
Emma quickly regained her focus. Even if James was released, the police would
watch him. Her career couldn’t be derailed now.
Emma found her old design papers again. Though rusty after three years, she
quickly regained her touch with practice.
The day of recruitment, less than ten days remained before her divorce would be
final.
The venue was filled with fashion industry leaders. Emma took a deep breath at
the entrance.
Sarah stood beside her, encouraging: “Emma, you’ve got this. Don’t be nervous.”
Emma smiled and nodded, walking in to hand her resume and designs to the
interviewer.
The interviewer frowned while reviewing them: “Your education is excellent, with rich early experience. But why did you abandon design for three years?”
Emma could now answer calmly: “I met the wrong person, had a bad marriage, and now carry his child. But I believe everything can have a better beginning.” The interviewer looked at Emma with admiration, smiling as she collected the papers: “We’ll be in touch.”
Emma smiled back a genuine, happy smile.
Sarah saw Emma exit the interview area and ran over excitedly: “How did it go? Everything okay?”
Emma replied: “I think it went well.”
Sarah nodded, but then her expression darkened.
