Chapter 16 2 " I can't believe it , " Nina said after she finished drinking her champagne . " How did you even endure something like that ? Emery , that family's rotten from the core . And you actually wasted five years of your life slaving away just to attract their approval . " The club lights flickered above them , pulsing with the beat that shook the floors . Emery sat at a high - top table near the bar , her untouched glass of juice sweating beside her . She didn't even remember ordering it . Her usual drink was something with more of a kick . But tonight , something in her gut told her not to . Nina didn't question it . Instead , she raised her flute of champagne and downed the last sip before setting it aside . " You're doing the smart thing , " Nina said , nodding at the juice . " I mean , we still don't know the result . Best not to mess with it . " Emery didn't respond . Her fingers wrapped around the cold glass , but she didn't lift it . She didn't really want to drink . Not tonight . Her thoughts were too loud . Nina leaned closer . " But seriously . You were so damn dumb for staying with Samuel that long . I told you . I always told you . But what's the point of blaming you now ? " Emery gave a half - shrug . She wasn't going to argue . Nina had warned her - repeatedly . mean , five years , Em . Five ! That's like a master's degree in humiliation , " Nina muttered , shaking her head before letting out a dramatic sigh . " Anyway . You saw that guy again . " Emery blinked . " What guy ? " " Will you stop pretending ? I'm talking about the one who keeps stalking you . " Emery sat back . " Logan's not stalking me ." " Logan ? " Nina raised an eyebrow . " So his name's Logan ? " Emery's lips parted . " That's not the point . " -nt or - -IT " Oh , it's not ? " Nina crossed her arms , smirking . " You're on a first - name basis now . You sure that's not the point ? " " He told me he had business at the mall , " Emery said . " And you believed him ? " Nina asked . Emery didn't answer . Of course , she didn't . Logan's explanation was thin , at best . But he had been there when she needed someone . She remembered the moment he caught her . The way he didn't flinch . How he stood between her and Samuel like it was nothing . She let out a breath . Earlier , Logan simply told her that he had some business to attend to and he needed to go . Then he left without waiting for her response ! The least she could do was pretend she believed him . Nina watched her for a moment , then smiled . " Look , I'm not saying marry the guy , but can you at least live a little ? You don't have work tomorrow . You don't have to wake up early . You don't even have a schedule anymore . Come on . Let's enjoy the night for once . " Emery hesitated . " I mean , you haven't been to a club in , what , a year ? Two ? " Nina added , already standing . Emery slowly nodded . " Alright ." That was all Nina needed . She grabbed Emery's wrist and pulled her out of the chair without giving her time to think twice . Emery barely had time to set her juice down before Nina dragged her into the thick of the crowd on the dance floor . The lights were din but colorful . The music was loud enough to make her forget how quiet her thoughts had been moments ago . People were already moving to the beat , bodies pressed close , laughter echoing in bursts . Nina spun around and held Emery's hand . " Just dance ." So she did . Awkward at first . Then slowly , her body started to move with the rhythm . Fler heels didn't bother her . Her head didn't ache . For the first time in weeks , she let her mind go quiet . After what felt like forever , the two finally decided to go back home . 1/2 P P. Chapter 16 " Let's wait here ... the car's coming . " The air outside the bar was thick with humidity and the fading buzz of music spilling out through the doors . Emery and Nina stepped out onto the streetlight - washed sidewalk , heels clicking against the concrete . It was just past 1 a.m. , and the area still held some life . A couple leaned into each other near a wall , laughing too loudly . Two men stood by a food truck , arguing over the last order of fries. A girl in silver boots sat on the curb , head tilted back , talking to the sky . Emery stood beside Nina , arms crossed . She glanced up the street and checked her phone . " It says the driver's five minutes away . " Nina leaned against a metal pole and kicked off her heels , barefoot now , holding the shoes in one hand . " God , my feet . Why do I wear these things ? " " Because they make your legs look good , " Emery said , barely paying attention . She was scanning the road . This neighborhood was usually safe . Upscale . Familiar . They'd been to this bar a dozen times before . Nothing ever happened here . " True , " Nina mumbled . She fished out her phone and squinted at the screen . " Ugh . I shouldn't have had that last drink . I feel like I swallowed a disco ball . " Emery snorted , then exhaled slowly . The night air felt thick against her skin , but it was quiet enough to hear her own heartbeat finally calm . Then she heard it . A sound - off - rhythm , unnatural . Like a sharp engine rev in the distance . Quick . Then again . Louder . Closer . Emery looked toward the road , eyes narrowing . The headlights appeared too fast - too direct . They weren't slowing . She blinked . No. They weren't just moving fast . They were aiming at them . Her breath caught . Her legs moved before her brain could catch up Nina barely turned . " Nina ! " Emery shoved her hard toward the side, just as the sound of screeching tires burst through the stillness . A horn blared . Rubber burned against the asphalt . She felt the heat of the headlights on her skin . Then her body tensed just as strong arms grabbed her and pulied - hard , The world tilted , the sidewalk vanished beneath her feet , and her heels scraped against the curb . The car missed her by inches , but it didn't stop or swerve ; it just kept going , speeding down the road , past the bar , and around the corner - until it slammed into a building with a loud , cracking thud that shook the pavement . Meanwhile , Emery landed hard against something solid , her back hitting a chest as the air left her lungs in one sharp exhale . Nina screamed her name as people nearby shouted , a few cursing as they stumbled back in shock . Emery didn't move . Her body was still frozen , her heart pounding too fast , eyes wide as she tried to process what just happened . Then she looked up . She 2/2 AD In "CEO, The Maid is Your Stunning Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as an adopted daughter faces a life-altering decision. 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