Chapter 38

Shirley looked at Patrick, who was fuming like a volcano about to erupt. Her teeth started chattering on their own.

"Patrick, please, don't be like this. I'm scared. It's me. Shirley.the one you always protect," she said, her voice trembling.

Her eyes were wide with fear and helplessness.

Patrick's face softened as soon as he heard her.

Shirley hadn't really done anything wrong, except maybe mess up dinner.

Thinking about her dad. Elbert Wright, Patrick felt a wave of sadness.

If Elbert hadn't acted so quickly during that car accident, unbuckling his seatbelt and shielding Patrick in the backseat. Patrick might've been the one with a head injury or worse.

Elbert ended up with a disability because of that accident.

For years. Patrick and Jennifer felt guilty and tried to make it up to Shirley. They gave her and Elbert a monthly allowance of $3.000 to $5.000 and kept Elbert on as a driver. Even though his mind wasn't as sharp, he was still a safe driver.

Remembering this, Patrick's eyes filled with gratitude and guilt. He waved Shirley over. "Come here, Shirley."

Seeing Patrick's softened expression, Shirley cautiously sat on the edge of the hospital bed. Patrick gently took her hand, and the vow

he made as a kid came rushing back-to love Shirley like a sister.

Why had he just lost his temper with her?

Patrick barely recognized himself. He blamed it all on Emily, making him lose control. If I catch that woman, she'll regret it! Leaving? Not without my permission!' Patrick fumed, feeling like a betrayed husband.

Shirley watched Patrick's expression, gripping the lunchbox so tightly she almost crushed it. Patrick used to despise Emily, so why did he care so much now?

Could it be that Patrick knew Emily was pregnant?

The thought made Shirley's heart clench. She resolved not to let Emily get close to Patrick again. How could she compete with Emily otherwise?

She had to see if Emily could even have this baby!

As she plotted, Shirley felt smug, cursing under her breath,'Bitch,wait for karma to get you!'

"Emily, you move fast! Buying a house just like that, impressive!How come you didn't bring me along for such a big decision?"Melissa nudged her, then added, "I've decided, I'm buying a place next door. We'll stay best friends and neighbors, and when your baby is born. I'll be the godmother!"

Melissa was thrilled, acting like she had bought the house herself.

Emily looked at her carefree friend with a hint of envy. Melissa had always lived in a small town because of her weak health. Silverbrook's peaceful vibe was perfect for her, with her family building a villa and opening a café for her, even letting her return to Pearl Peak City.

Pampered by her family, she had no worries, unlike Emily.

Emily's new place was on the seventeenth floor, not too low.

The complex faced a park and a hillside, quiet and peaceful; across the park was Gordon's rehab center, and behind it was a detox center.Emily chose Silverbrook to live freely as a single mom, far from Pearl Peak City and Patrick, but close enough to help her famiy if needed.

"Emily! Let's celebrate! You're a homeowner now!" Melissa said excitedly. Emily pinched her cheek and asked, "Can you really leave Silverbrook? I know your heart condition is why your parents want you to stay there."

Emily was full of concern.

Melissa said, "I'm really fine, I promise!"

Melissa leaned on Emily's shoulder, pouting, "I'm so bored in Silverbrook. You're the only friend who visits often. My grandparents are all in Pearl Peak City. It's so dull."

Emily said, "Buat the medical facilities in the suburbs..."

Melissa interrupted, "Don't worry, I'm really fine! I had surgery abroad at 16, and after two years of recovery, I'm all good. Look, I

can even jump around."

"Oh my God, don't jump!" Emily quickly held her back.′′I7s good you're fine, no need to prove it. But you should tell your parents about moving back to Pearl Peak City, so they don't worry."

"Don't worry,they know as soon as I leave home," Melissa replied.

Looking at the empty house,they sat on the floor.

Melissa grabbed Emily's hand and asked, "Does Patrick know you're moving this far? Do you really want nothing to do with him? You're carrying his child. Cutting ties completely isn't fair to you, is it?"

She continued angrily, "Why should you handle the pregnancy and childbirth alone? It's so painful to give birt,and he gets off easy? I wouldn't stand for it."

Emily leaned against the wall, gazing out the window with a sigh."Keeping the baby was my decision. I don't want him to know or be involved. You know the Rivera Family looks down on me. Patrick never acknowledged me as his girlfriend. What's the point of dragging it out? Having a child without a status would just make it a bastard. I'd rather raise the baby on my own and proudly say I'm a single mom!" Her words were bold.