Chapter 63

"Emily, I came to see you."

Sophia Green's sickly sweet voice came from outside the door. Emily Johnson's hand paused on the doorknob. She took a deep breath, a cold smirk curling her lips.

This woman only ever came when she wanted something.

"What do you want?" Emily opened the door, her tone icy.

Sophia plastered on a smile, but her eyes darted past Emily into the room. "I heard your parents sent you another package? We're such good friends—"

"Good friends?" Emily cut her off, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Is that what you call setting me up?"

Sophia's face paled. "What are you talking about?"

"Peter Wilson. Did you think I wouldn't find out?" Emily took a step forward. "If I hadn't been careful, you would've forced me back to the city by now, wouldn't you?"

Sophia stumbled back half a step, forcing a laugh. "Emily, you've got it all wrong—"

"Wrong?" Emily scoffed. "Then why are you here? To take more of my things?"

Caught in her lie, Sophia's face twisted between rage and humiliation.

"Get out." Emily spat the word cleanly. "If I see you again, don't expect me to be polite."

The door slammed shut with a resounding bang.

Outside, Sophia stood frozen, her nails digging into her palms. She glared at the closed door, venom flashing in her eyes.

"Emily Johnson, just you wait!"

Inside, Emily leaned against the door, her chest heaving. She wasn't the original owner of this body—she wouldn't let this so-called "good friend" manipulate her anymore.

"Mommy?" Little David rubbed his eyes as he shuffled out from the inner room.

Emily's expression softened instantly. "Why are you awake?"

"I heard shouting..." David said timidly.

"It's nothing." Emily ruffled his hair. "Mommy was just chasing away a bad person."

David nodded, though he didn't fully understand. Then he suddenly added, "Was it that lady who always takes our food?"

Emily blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Every time she comes, she leaves with lots of yummy things." David pouted. "Daddy said those were from Grandpa and Grandma for you..."

Warmth flooded Emily's chest as she pulled her son into a hug.

"Not anymore," she whispered. "Mommy won't let anyone bully us again."

Meanwhile, back at the dormitory...

"Well, well. Came back empty-handed?" Samuel Bright leaned against the doorframe, smirking at Sophia.

Sophia shot him a venomous glare. "None of your business!"

"Not mine, no." Samuel shrugged. "But a word of advice—the Wilsons aren't people to cross. Once that old woman recovers—"

"Shut up!" Sophia shrieked, cutting him off, her face deathly white.

She stormed into her room and slammed the door behind her.

Inside, her hands trembled as she pulled a letter from beneath her pillow. The return approval she'd been waiting for still hadn't come. She couldn't wait any longer.

"Emily... you brought this on yourself." Her eyes burned with madness as she stared at the paper.

The night wind rustled the curtains, moonlight casting eerie shadows across her twisted face—like a vengeful ghost.