Chapter 5 The Scene

The car ride was quiet.

Emily and Denovon sat in the back seat, both staring out their windows as the driver took smooth turns through the city streets. There was no awkwardness - just silence, the kind that didn't need to be filled with words.

Suddenly, Emily's phone buzzed in her bag. She pulled it out and saw Valentina's name.

She answered. "Hey, Val."

"Hey girl," Valentina's voice came through, a little rushed. "Quick one - can you help me grab a few things from the mall? I'm stuck at work, still catching up, and the mall will probably close before I'm done. I will come and pick it from you early in the morning."

Emily glanced at her watch. "Sure, just send me the list."

"You're the best! I'll text it right now. I owe you big time!"

Emily smiled a little. "You already do." They both chuckled before ending the call.

She turned to Denovon, her voice soft. "Um... would it be okay if you dropped me off at the mall instead? It's just a quick errand for a friend."

Denovon nodded without hesitation. "No problem."

A few minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the mall. Emily unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her purse.

"Thank you, Denovon. For the ride... and for earlier too."

He gave a small nod, eyes on her. "You're welcome." She opened the door and stepped out.

As she walked toward the entrance, Denovon watched her. She moved with quiet strength, not rushing, not trying to look brave - just being herself.

Something flickered in his eyes. A flash of interest... or maybe curiosity. He didn't look away until she disappeared through the mall doors.

Emily moved through the store, slowly picking the items Valentina had sent on the list - She placed each one into the basket, her mind calm.

But just as she turned into the next aisle, her feet stopped.

Her heart dropped.

There, just a few steps ahead, stood two people she never wanted to see again - Julie and her stepsister, Evelyn. They were laughing, talking softly, as they picked items off the shelf. So close, like best friends. Like nothing had ever happened.

Emily stood frozen. Her fingers tightened around the basket handle. The memories came back - Charles, the hospital, the betrayal, the lies. Her baby.

The pain she buried for months hit her hard in the chest. It was hard to breathe. Her eyes burned, but she didn't cry. Not here. Not in front of them.

She turned quickly, ready to leave, but-

"Sis?

The voice stopped her.

Evelyn had seen her.

Emily turned slowly, trying to keep her face calm. Evelyn was smiling - that same fake, sweet smile that once fooled her.

Julie stood beside her, arms crossed, eyes sharp and full of pride. Neither of them looked guilty. They looked... happy.

Emily said nothing.

Her chest rose and fell slowly as she tried to hold back the storm inside her. The pain. The anger. The betrayal. Emily stood still, her face calm but her heart beating fast. She just wanted to turn around and leave - but then Evelyn stepped closer, voice soft and full of fake emotion.

"Sis, it's good to see you again," Evelyn said with a shaky voice, her eyes glossy with fake tears.

"You know... you shouldn't have left home. I understand you feel hurt, but you should know that we didn't do it on purpose..."

Emily's eyes narrowed slightly, saying nothing yet.

"I really tried to tell you, but you know how it is," Evelyn continued, hands held close to her chest as if she was the one who had been wronged. "It wasn't my decision, it was Dad. I tried to stop him. I really did... but you know how Father is. Please don't blame him. He just wants the best for all of us."

Emily clenched her jaw. The lies sounded so sweet coming from Evelyn's lips.

"You are my sister," Evelyn added in a louder voice, catching the attention of nearby shoppers. "My one and only sister. Please... don't let a man come between us."

Gasps and whispers started to flow around them. People looked at Emily like she was the problem - like she was the one who had broken the family.

Emily didn't speak.

Before she could, Julie marched forward, stepping between Evelyn and Emily like a guard dog.

"Eve, what are you saying?" Julie snapped loudly. "You don't need to beg her. Let her rot."

She turned her full attention to Emily, her voice sharp and hateful.

"How dare you eye someone who isn't yours? Someone's man? You're a homewrecker, Emily. That's what you are."

Julie stepped closer with a cruel smile.

"You thought you could take Charles from me just because you had some money? Some shares? Don't make me laugh."

Emily's face remained still, but her hands were shaking slightly. Julie leaned in, her words like knives. "You're nothing but a loser. You should hide your face and never show it again."

Then, with the cruelest smirk, she added, "Oh - and before I forget... thank you for giving birth to my son."

Emily's chest tightened.

And just when she thought the scene couldn't get worse, Evelyn quickly said, "Julie, don't say that about my sis. It's not her fault. She didn't know you and Charles were lovers. My beloved sister isn't a homewrecker."

She said it loud enough for everyone to hear - pretending to defend Emily, but only making her look worse. The crowd looked more confused, some shaking their heads, others murmuring.

Emily's eyes moved slowly from Evelyn... to Julie... then to the ground.

And when she looked up again - her heart was cold. Emily looked at Evelyn calmly and said,

"Stop calling me sis. I am not your sister."

"Don't say that, sis," Evelyn replied, trying to reach for her. But Emily stepped back-

Paa!

Evelyn fell to the floor.

"Evelyn!" Julie shouted, rushing to help her up. People around started whispering.

"She's wicked." "Even when Evelyn was being nice, she pushed her."

"No wonder she couldn't keep a man."

"Sis..." Evelyn cried, tears falling, her voice soft and pitiful - enough to make strangers feel sorry for her.

"Stop calling her sis," Julie snapped. "You took her as your sister, but she never did."

Julie turned to Emily, eyes full of hate.

"You deserve nothing good in life... only death."

Paa!