Chapter 92

After Lucy went abroad. Patrick was on edge every single day.waiting for any news. He kept tabs on the mnedical updates from overseas, hoping for some good news about Lucy. But life had other plans. A mnonth later,he got the gut-wrenching news that Lucy had a rejection reaction after a bone marrow match, and she didn't make it.

Patrick was shattered. He couldn't wrap his head around it,feeling like his whole world had just crumbled. Memories of the good times with Lucy kept flashing through his mind.

"Lucy, how could you leave me like this? We had so many dreams to chase,how could you just give up?" Patrick's voice was thick with despair.He was drowning in regret and self-blame, convinced he hadn't done enough for Lucy, hadn't loved her enough.

In college. Patrick spiraled into a deep pit of despair. The confident guy he once was had vanished, replaced by someone silent and withdrawn.He shut himself off from everyone, his eyes always clouded with sadness and indifference. making people think twice before approaching him.

Every day. hethought of Lucy-her smile, her kindness. He felt like he'd lost the most important person in his life and had no clue how to move on.He buried himself in studies and work, trying to numb the pain.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake off Lucy's memory.She was always there, in his mind, making it impossible to let go. He knew she'd always have a place in his heart.

Emily had been watching Patrick from the sidelines. She knew how much he was hurting and felt the sting of Lucy's loss, too. She wanted to comfort him, but was scared her presence would just make things worse.

After finally getting into the same university as Patrick, Emily, who had been stealing glances at him for a wvhile, finally mustered the courage to approach him. "Patrick, I know you're hurting, but you can't go on like this. You have to be strong. Lucy wouldn't want to see you like this." She lowered her eyes after speaking. Even though Lucy's death wasn't her fault.in Patrick's eyes. Emily had become the scapegoat.

Patrick looked at Emily, his eyes cold and distant. Without a word,he turned and walked away.

Emily watched him go, feeling helpless and heartbroken. She knew she could never take Lucy's place in his heart, but she still hoped he'd find his way out of the darkness and regain his confidence.

As time went by. Patrick's mood slowly stabilized. He knew he couldn't keep wallowing in pain; he had to live well for Lucy. And as for Emily,who had always been there, he realized he'd never treated her right.

That was why Emily always stayed silent in the face of Patrick's indifference. Lucy's death had created an unbridgeable gap between them.and now someone who looked so much like her had appeared.

Emily hugged herself, letting the cold wind bite at her neck. At that moment, she felt like all her years of effort meant nothing to Patrick.

Emily left the Rivera Group in a daze, feeling like her world had lost all its color.

The sun was shining, but it couldn't warm the coldness in her heart. She slowly walked out of the building that held so many memories.

On the street, people were bustling around, but Emily felt completely alone.Memories of her time with Patrick kept flashing through her mind;those

sweet moments now felt like knives piercing her heart. She had no idea where to go, her heart was a mess of confusion and pain.

How ridiculous, she thought. She had hoped Patrick would come looking for her, maybe even apologize. She had once believed their relationship could go back to the way it was, even foolishly imagining that if Patrick knew she was pregnant, he might treat her differently.

Back at Crystal Heights Residences. Emily opened the door to a silent room. She collapsed onto the sofa, tears streaming down her face. She looked around the empty room, feeling utterly lost. She waited for Patrick to come back, but as night fell, he didn't return, not even a phone call.

Emily's heart sank. What she was waiting for might not be Patrick's true feelings. but perhaps just his pity.

What did she really mean to Patrick? A capable secretary? Or just a lover?In the end, she had wanted too much.

Emily touched her belly and sighed. God had given her three years with Patrick; what more could she ask for?

Lucy would always be Patrick's unforgettable first love. She represented his youth, and even if someone who looked like her appeared now, it would still stir up memories for Patrick. Emily was just a companion in his loneliness.

For three days straight, Emily's life was a blur. She spent each day replaying every moment with Patrick, thepain in her heart never easing.She tried to keep herself busy, to forget Patrick, but no matter what she did.his image was always there.

Finally. Emily decided to go to the hospital for a check-up. The hospital's

smell of disinfectant was oppressive. As she sat waiting, Emily was filled with nervousness. During this period, she found herself wrapped in sadness and gloom, worrying that it might somehow impact the baby growing inside her.

When the doctor told her she could go back to work, Emily felt a glimmer of hope. She decided to pull herself together and return to work at the Hughes Group. She knew she couldn't keep wallowing in pain; she had to fight for her future and her child's. Continuing to sink would only worsen the situation, trapping her in an endless cycle of longing for Patrick.

"Are you really feeling better? The doctor said everything's fine, right?"Marlon asked, seeing Emily in the design department early in the morning.

Emily handed Marlon a lunchbox, saying, "Thanks for the other day.These are handmade sandwiches I made. If you don't mind, give them a try," she said with a smile.

Marlon raised an eyebrow and took the lunchbox from Emily. He had always known she was good at cooking. Sometimes, when they used to hang out with Patrick, he would have a meal before coming out to play.