Chapter 4 Emily stared at that face - so much like Elliott's , yet completely different . Her mind went blank . " Answer me ! " Everett's eyes locked onto hers , like a beast whose territory had been invaded . The grip on her neck tightened . She snapped back to clarity , her voice hoarse . " If I hadn't called his name , would you have saved me ? " ཉ་ རངང་ དར་ དཀར Everett instantly let go . The coldness in his eyes turned to scorn . " Figures . You were playing games all along. " A woman like you - even if you got knocked up , I wouldn't spare you a glance . " With that , he turned and walked off , carrying Jessica in his arms . Emily felt the chill seep into her bones . She got up and dragged herself home , exhausted . From that day on , Everett never came back . Before , even if he was a minute late , Emily would worry and blow up all his friends ' phones . But now , three full days have passed . Not a single message from her . His friends exchanged looks at the bar , glancing at Everett as he drank alone . Was it just them , or did he look off ? G.D0 % 00.36 Chapter 4 *** After falling into the lake , Emily was sick for days . That day , just as she got her Swiss visa , one of Everett's friends called . "Emily , why aren't you here ? Didn't you see the message in the group chat ? " Her lashes trembled . She answered honestly , " I didn't notice . " A beat of silence , then the voice suddenly rose . " Then get to Roselane Manor now ! It's a huge deal for Everett ! " Before she could reply , he hung up . Emily hesitated , then decided to go . W It was time to end this game of being someone's stand - in . એ સમયમ aiLw ¢ W1- She'd heard of Roselane Manor before . A manor nestled high in the mountains , priceless and private . The rumor was , a tycoon built it as a wedding house . But he never showed . A year ago , the property changed hands - for three billion dollars . Emily stepped into the grand hall . Even with her background , she was stunned by the place's design . In the center , Everett and Jessica were clinking glasses . " Everett , Emily's here , " someone said . He looked up lazily . " Oh ? What's that got to do with me ? " She was used to his coldness . Just as she opened her mouth , someone cut in . " Emily , where's this year's birthday gift ? " 0036 Chapter 4 She frowned . " What birthday gift ? " The room went still for a few seconds - then erupted in laughter . " Quit playing dumb . It's Everett's birthday . How could you come empty- handed ? " " Two years ago , you stayed up three nights knitting him a cashmere scarf . He used it as a car mat . " " Last year , you gambled your life racing against that underground champion - landed in the ICU for a month . Won him a one - of - a - kind 1967 gold Jaguar . He smashed it without even looking . " " Maybe you finally wised up and hid the gift . Planning to give it to him in private ? " L Every word reminded her of how much she'd once done for him . She used to plan his gift early every year . But this time , she really had forgotten . And maybe that was a good thing . No more effort wasted on someone who didn't care . She looked at Everett . " I forgot the birthday gift . And I won't be giving you any more in the future . " She turned to leave - then something above the fireplace caught her eye . A cool - toned oil painting . She stepped closer without thinking . Golden roses etched into the marble shimmered in the light . The veins on the petals looked real - so lifelike . Something about it felt so familiar . Suddenly , a memory slammed into her . " Emily , you like alpine roses , but they're hard to care for . Next time , I'll give you one that never withers . And there's a surprise waiting for you in 53.64 % 00:36 Chapter 4 the States . " The next second , someone must've pressed a hidden switch . Clack - the entire wall began to rise . Slowly , a massive painting appeared . In it , a girl with a rose crown leaned against a boy in a white shirt , smiling brightly . The boy gazed down at her , eyes full of overflowing love . Emily's eyes turned red . Tears fell before she could stop them . So the one who designed Roselane Manor was Elliott . So this place was the home he built for her . The surprise he promised after graduation . 114 115 11 87 45 %