"Emma."
She was about to step up the stairs when she was called back. She turned her head, frowned, and asked: "Why are you here?"
Daniel hesitated slightly, his voice faltering: "You left something at home, I brought it to you on the way. I don't want to keep things that don't belong to me."
"Didn't I tell you to burn them?"
"I thought you might use them."
Emma curled her lips slightly, smiling coldly: "When did you learn to respect other people's opinions?"
When he was with another girl, did he ever think about respecting Emma's feelings?
"Emma."
Daniel loosened his tie, took a step forward, and was about to touch her hand, but she quickly moved away.
"This makes me realize that I was the one at fault before." His voice carried a rare hint of pleading, "I've already transferred the money to you, as compensation for your injuries. Don't make a big deal out of it, okay?"
"Make a big deal out of it?" She smiled coldly, her sharp eyes looking straight at him. "Daniel, why do you still think I'm making a big deal out of a momentary emotion?"
She wanted to open his head to see what was inside. Was it a pile of straw?
"Hey, these are our photos. Do you really not want them anymore?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Emma felt her whole body go cold, and a wave of nausea hit her.
"Daniel, don't make me slap you. What's the point of bringing the photos here?"
She still clearly remembered the times she tried on wedding dresses without him by her side. They had also planned to get married together, but in the end, everything fell apart.
She herself was so lowly at that time; why did he still want to bring up those humiliating memories?
Her eyes were as sharp as a knife, glancing at the big bag beside her: "Give me the things."
Daniel thought she had softened; his face showed joy, and he quickly handed her the photo envelope.
She tore the photos and threw them into the air. The pieces were scattered on the ground.
She raised her foot, kicking straight at his face in the photo.
Without hesitation, without respect.
Each kick she used all her strength; each powerful stomp seemed to stab straight into Daniel's heart.
The memories of her weak self before, the moments of lack of confidence, the moments when she even hated herself... all shattered.
She wanted to use this action to show the man in front of her that she really didn't care about him anymore. She just wanted him to disappear, as far away as possible.
Daniel was stunned and quickly rushed forward to stop her: "Emma, what are you doing?"
She shook his hand away, her eyes filled with hatred: "Don't touch me. Daniel, you have no right to touch me."
"The memories between us, I want to destroy them all with my own hands. Those memories are all pain, no joy or happiness. The thing I regret most in this life is knowing you."
"So, I beg you, get out of my life, okay?"
Daniel staggered back two steps, unable to believe what she had just said. Before, Emma was a gentle, innocent girl, but now she was so strong. Only then did he realize that the gaze she once gave him was no longer there. The only thing left in those eyes was undisguised hatred.
—
In the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
David leaned back in his seat, the corner of his lips curled into a humorous smile: "Alex, I think that girl seems reluctant to talk about this marriage."
He couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Emma's cold gaze and distant attitude towards his son, while she was the one who took the initiative to marry Alex.
"So you've been in love with someone all this time. How funny."
Alex's expression became serious, coldly replying: "Dad, you've been worrying about too many things lately."
David raised his eyebrows, unable to help but tease: "What, did I hit the nail on the head? I didn't expect that. Alex, you're not like me at all. I'm not a failure like you."
A sarcastic smile flashed across Alex's face. He turned his head, his deep eyes flashing with calculation:
"Then just wait and see."
—
From the meeting, the engagement ceremony, to the marriage registration procedure, everything happened in the blink of an eye. Before Emma could react, everything was done.
The day of the marriage registration was a normal day. Both of them were busy with work; Alex had to attend an important meeting, and Emma was busy preparing for an interview with a famous, successful businessman, but her time was more flexible. She waited for him to finish work and then called to make an appointment at the marriage registration office.
On time, Emma arrived at the marriage registration office. She and Alex walked side by side. That afternoon, there weren't many people, and the procedures went smoothly.
When signing, she carefully wrote each stroke, feeling a little strange in her heart. The corner of her eye saw Alex holding a pen, his signature strong, decisive, and full of momentum.
"Done."
The staff handed them two brand new red books.
"Thank you."
The two took it one by one.
The staff observed the two for a long time. After congratulating them, she said:
"Congratulations, but you two seem a bit unfamiliar with each other, interesting."
In all the years she worked here, this was the first time she saw a newlywed couple who didn't have any intimate communication. Even though their eyes only met a few times, their attitude was as polite as a waiter's.
"…"
Emma was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Alex calmly stood up: "We'll get used to it."
This sentence made Emma silent again. She didn't dare to look at the staff's face anymore, just hurriedly thanked them and left.
Are the two of them familiar?
Emma doubted this.
The two of them walked out of the office one after another. Both of them took the opportunity to complete the marriage procedures, after receiving the red book, each went their separate ways, returning to work.
Before leaving, Alex asked. "Can I come to your house tonight? Anyway, we have to inform your mother about the marriage registration."
Emma thought for a moment and nodded. Then the two of them walked in two different directions.