Chapter 8

Emily smiled mysteriously, her tone oddly convincing, "Trust me. I'll call you tomorrow. Come with me to a place."

The opportunity to become John's student, which Eli had mentioned at the police station, was something Bianca clearly knew about and coveted.

Bianca wanted it, so Emily decided to give it to the person Bianca least wanted to have it-Sophia.

"Alright, I doubt you'd dare trick me," Sophia said, feeling inexplicably convinced by Emily's gaze.

"Please take me to Amber District, Maple Avenue. Thanks!" Emily requested,not surprised at all.

The place she mentioned was the home she and James once shared.

To be precise, it was the old house where James and Uma had lived. James had taken her in, and Uma had known and brought her home.

So,it was the place she considered home.

She had secretly bought the house back after earning some money.

That night, for the first time since her rebirth, she slept peacefully.

At dawn, she was awakened by a call from the Johnson family.

"Emily, you're a girl. How could you stay out all night? And don't forget,you promised to take Bianca to Mr. Williams. Did you forget?" Eli's loud,accusing voice came through the phone.

He seemed to forget that he was the one who kicked her out of the car,leaving her to fend for herself in the pouring rain. Now, he had the nerve to question why she stayed out all night! "Don't worry, I won't forget. Once I setup a time with Mr. Williams, I'll let you know," Emily said, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

She wasn't exactly lying to them. She would mention it to John,but with Bianca's level of skill in painting, there was no way John would take her on as a studenat. She'd just be setting herself up for humiliation.

"Good, don't forget. And make it quick. Bianca's time is valuable," Eli reminded her.

Emily hung up the phone, scoffing. Bianca hadn't even become John's student yet, and they were already putting on airs.

She got up to wash up. Even if the Johnson family hadn't mentioned it,she would still call John. She decided to call him right away. "John, I'm not going to be your student anymore, but..."

"What? I must be hearing things. You said you're coming to be my student,right?" John interrupted, clearly excited.

He had heard her, but he didn't want to accept it, so he pretended not to understand.

Emily sighed and patiently explained, "I'm not going to be your student,but I can introduce you to a very talented one."

She had seen Sophia's paintings and knew she had some talent. It was just that she had lost to the painting Emily had helped Bianca with.

"Emily, are you messing with me? You promised, and now you're backing out. I'm heartbroken, I might get sick again..." John started to whine.

Emily knew John genuinely liked her, appreciated her character, and admired her talent. She explained everything truthfully.

"She wants to be mystudent? Dream on. Bring her here, and I'll see if she has any talent worth that spot!"

"Alright!" Emily felt a warmth in her heart, her worries dissipating,making her feel alive and vibrant. After hanging up, she messaged Sophia and Bianca, asking them to meet at John's house. She would go too; she couldn't miss this show.

The summer heat couldn't overshadow the lush trees lining the road.Maybe she was finally moving past the shadows of her previous life. She looked at the trees outside the window, feeling a surge of vitality.

Emily's mood lightened, but her peace was interrupted by another phone call. It was James, with his unique ringtone. She had been so busy since her rebirth that she forgot to change it.