Chapter 6 Happy Birthday

The hush in the room was palpable.

Dolores' countenance underwent a visible transformation, transitioning from an uncomfortable unease to rigid tension, eventually erupting into a simmering rage.

In an outburst, Dolores let loose a torrent of fury. She jabbed her finger in Brennen's direction, her voice cutting through the silence. "Emilee! Are you fully aware of the words tumbling out of your mouth? Pregnant with his child? This is a mere delivery guy we're talking about!"

Throughout the afternoon, irritation festered within Brennen due to Dolores' demeanor.

"What's the issue with being a delivery guy? What had I ever done to you to deserve such insults?" Brennen shot back.

Dolores surged forward, forcefully shoving Brennen. "Get out of my house!" she commanded.

Emilee, with open arms, positioned herself between the feuding duo.

"Mom! I'm not ready to be tied to the Patel family. Just give me some more time; I can certainly assist the Lewis family in navigating through this tough period."

Infuriated, Dolores unleashed a stinging slap across Emilee's face.

"Have you no sense of decency?"

Emilee's eyes welled up with tears, but she held onto her silence, determined not to let them spill audibly.

Locked in a tense stare with her seemingly unhinged mother, Emilee challenged, "What do you even mean by decency anyways? Is it not disgraceful to marry off your daughter for the sake of alliances to someone with a tumultuous personal life?"

Dolores let out a shrill scream, as if she had been the one who was slapped. "Are you trying to defy me?"

As her words echoed, another slap was unleashed.

Yet, this time, the blow didn't find its mark on Emilee's face; instead, Brennen intercepted it.

"You, you reek of sweat! Let go! You're repulsive!" Dolores shrieked.

Brennen responded by deliberately wiping his hand on the sole of his shoe and nonchalantly dusting it off on Dolores.

Dolores twitched, as if jolted by electricity, vigorously slapping away the imaginary filth on her clothes.

Cary's countenance contorted gradually, his expression turning fierce. "Emilee, I thought you had some self-respect; never did I anticipate you stooping so low as to get involved with a delivery guy!"

Emilee fixed a cold stare on Cary. "And how pure are you to judge me?"

"You little whore, how dare you betray me! And don't you dare talk back!"

Slap!

A resounding slap echoed as Brennen's hand met Cary's face.

Both Emilee and Dolores were left in shock.

The notion of the delivery guy actually laying hands on Cary had not crossed their minds.

"What the hell? How dare you!" Cary lost control, snatching a vase and hurling it violently toward Brennen.

The vase crumbled upon impact, shattering into a mess on the floor.

Flexing his wrist, Brennen asserted, "She's carrying my child; she's mine. Who granted you the audacity to strike my woman?!"

Cary seethed with anger.

In all of Enceridge, he was the man set to marry Emilee.

He had even hosted a three-day bikini bash to celebrate.

He believed he could finally have Emilee, this most beautiful woman in Enceridge, yet here he was, being bested by a delivery guy.

Cary's face twisted in rage. "You shameless wretch! You let a food delivery guy into your bed, but not me? I'll make sure you learn the consequences of defying me!"

While ranting, Cary grabbed an ashtray this time and swung it down.

Swiftly tilting his head to dodge, Brennen countered with an instantaneous upward kick, sending Cary sprawling.

Without affording Cary an opportunity to counter, Brennen advanced, executing another powerful kick.

Cary's body crumpled, skidding along the floor and out of the room.

Eager to pursue, Brennen was halted by Emilee, who had regained her composure.

She seized him, urging, "Enough with the fighting! You might end up doing something irreversible!"

Cary scrambled to his feet, spitting out, "You scoundrel! Just you wait..."

Brennen snatched the first thing he could get from the table and flung it outside

It struck Cary on the head, causing blood to instantly mar his appearance.

"Get lost!"

Cary didn't glance back, sprinting away from the scene.

Dolores' face flushed with furious indignation. "You shameless creature! Your father and grandfather are on their way! Let's see you talk your way out of this!"

Emilee's eyes betrayed a deep disappointment.

Dolores was well aware of Cary's true nature, yet she had willingly entangled her daughter in this turmoil.

From outside, a thunderous voice bellowed, "Where is he? Where is he now?"

Living in close proximity, the Lewis family members swiftly gathered at the scene, their arrival marked by a surge of rushing figures.

At the forefront was a grey-haired old man, who, upon seeing Brennen in his delivery uniform, pointed his cane accusingly at him, demanding of Emilee, "Is this delivery guy responsible for your pregnancy?"

Emilee's complexion drained, but she held her ground. "Yes."

The old man, fuming, thundered, "Have you no sense of shame? How are you any different from those who sell themselves on the streets?" The old man was visibly furious.

Following him were Emilee's father, elder uncle, and aunt.

"What do we do now? The Patel family will be livid when they find out!" Emilee's father, Draper Lewis, vented his anger.

Exasperated, the old man said, "What choice do we have? She must go and get an abortion first!"

"What's the point of an abortion? Emilee's purity is already compromised, and Cary pursued her precisely for that reason!" Emilee's aunt scoffed.

Dolores swiftly seized control of the conversation, proposing, "It's simple! Emilee can have her hymen repaired surgically! It won't be too costly! Then, we can tell Cary that everything today was just Emilee's prank. Let them spend a night together, and she'll easily wriggle out of it!"

Each person chimed in, voicing their opinions without a second thought for Emilee's feelings.

She gazed at these so-called relatives, disappointment etched in her eyes, her body swaying.

Her head felt burdened, and before anyone could react, she collapsed, succumbing to unconsciousness.

Emilee's last recollection before losing consciousness was being enveloped by a sturdy arm-

Brennen's firm hold.

Brennen, cradling Emilee, cast a steely gaze at the assembled members of the Lewis family.

For the first time, he perceived the woman, initially seeming glamorous, as undeniably pitiable.

Intent on leaving, he was halted by Dolores' derisive comment.

"You stop right there! A delivery guy like you aspires to be with a wealthy heiress who's leagues above you? Is the heiress of the Lewis family truly your match? Take a good, hard look at yourself!" Dolores sneered.

Brennen cast a swift glance over the assembled members of the Lewis family, his resolve unbroken as he continued to stride away with Emilee in his arms.

Draper vented his frustration by smashing a cup. "If you even think about taking her away, I promise you, I'll snap your legs!"

Brennen halted, his eyes flashing with an icy determination. Raising his leg high, he executed a swift, powerful strike, sending a chilling breeze with it.

The 3-inch-thick quartz coffee table exploded into shards with a resounding bang.

Draper, taken aback, paled and hastily retreated.

"I'm taking Emilee. Any objections?" Brennen surveyed the silent members of the Lewis family, finding no one willing to voice their dissent.

Brennen took Emilee to his rented apartment.

Upon opening the door, it swung ajar, causing Emilee's purse to tumble to the floor.

Her ID card slipped out, catching Brennen's attention.

Glancing at it, he found himself momentarily taken aback.

Today happened to be Emilee's birthday, a fact that struck him as both absurd and pitiful.

On her special day, not a single person had wished her happiness, and instead she had endured a series of unpleasant events.

Brennen gently placed Emilee on the bed after opening the door.

Delicately, he removed her shoes and covered her with a blanket.

As he checked her forehead, he found no significant issues-she had probably merely fainted due to low blood sugar.

After what seemed like an extended period, Emilee stirred from her slumber, grappling with the sensation of a heavy head.

Glancing around, she discovered herself reclined on an unfamiliar bed.

Swiftly sitting up, she reassured herself by confirming that her clothes remained intact.

The room, sparsely furnished but tidy, greeted her gaze.

Emilee slid out of bed, slipping her shoes on, and ventured out of the bedroom.

A tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, piquing her curiosity.

Trailing the alluring scent, Emilee made her way into the kitchen.

There, she found Brennen at the stove-- the source of the enticing fragrance.

Observing him from the side, Emilee couldn't ignore the unspoken allure he emanated, a unique temperament akin to that of a naturally noble young heir.

Despite his modest social standing as a mere delivery guy, there was an undeniable charisma about him.

Brennen turned his head, catching sight of Emilee, and promptly extinguished the cigarette. "Hey, you're awake. Grab a seat!"

Emilee settled into her seat, observing as Brennen brought various dishes to the table.

Finally, he presented a plate of Capellini.

Taking in the aroma, Emilee remarked, "It smells delicious."

As he removed his apron, Brennen, with a touch of pride, declared, "What do you think? With my skills, even the royal princess couldn't take a bite without shedding a tear or two!"

Emilee chuckled, shaking her head. "You'd probably die if you didn't brag for just one second, right?"

Brennen strolled toward the entrance, stating, "Today, we're steering clear of discussions about death!"

Perplexed, Emilee inquired, "Why?"

As Brennen returned from the doorway, he held a small cake in his hand.

"Happy birthday!" he proclaimed.