Chapter 21
Chapter 21 Prelude to Divorcel
Emma seems eager to quickly reclam her old self. How free–spirited and carefree she used to be! She had wasted years and lost herself to a man who didn’t love her, paying
painful price!
Mr. Johnson bought up a topie. “Lue, it’s rare for you and Emma to retum to Brookline. If you’re not busy today please stay and keep Emma company. If she has any whima at home, please bear with her a little, her work is quite busy too. A married couple should care for each other, that’s what makes a home.”
His words were loaded with implicit meanings. This was his way of implying that his daughter, Emma, would be staying at home for a few days, and since it
didn’t have much to do, night72
wwn Sunday. Luc
If he had nothing important to do, he should stay here and keep Emma company than one sided expectations. Only mutual care makes a couple 1
- He po
pointed out that a couple needs to show mutual concern, care, and understanding, rather
- Johnson didn’t want Emma to return to Back Bay with Lue too soon. He had noticed that his daughter didn’t serve any food to Lue and didn’t great him warmly. He suspected that Emma and Luc were disagreeing. It was rare to see his daughter standing her ground, so why not let her give Luc the cold shoulder??
But Mrs. Johnson sawit diferently. She felt that Mr. Johnson lacked romantic sensibility. Their daughter should nurture her relationship and spend weekend with her husband. What was the point of making her stay in Brockling?
The grand villain Back Bay with its private garden and open–air balcony, could create a beautiful romantic atmosphere. Why couldn’t this old man understand that?!
Mrs. Johnson shot a disdainful glance at Mr. Johnson and said “Emma, don’t listen to your father, Luc also needs social interaction on Sundays, meeting friends and classmates. You should join him for coffee or a movie. You could even invite friends and colleagues over for a barbecue to relax. That’s more helpful for reducing work fatigue and aleviating stress.“T
Emma thought” He would take me to see a movie? Don’t make me laugh!
In her previous life, she was always the one inviting him to the movies, while he constantly made excuses to avoid it. Even on her birthdays, she had to buy two tickets in advance to invite him. Only then would he reluctantly agree, and spend the entire movie texting someone, leaving her alone to munch on popcom, foolishly thinking it was
What was this called? Unequited lover?
She was in love all by herself Meet his friends and classmates? That was indeed a joke!
She had known him for three to four years and had never met his old friends or classmates. His social circle had never considered opening up to her
In her previous life, it took her incessant pestering for him to reluctantly take her to meet one of his old classmates, named what was his name again? Jake?
As soon as Jake saw het, he looked her up and down with judgmental eyes, probably comparing her to Luc’s previous girlfriend!
Then, she sat on the sidelines during their meeting, looking foolishly at them drinking and chaming about their carefree days, discussing everything from poetry and songs to Ide philosophy and goale
She felt left out and couldn’t join their conversation. Actually, she could have, but every time she tried to speak, Jake would steer the conversation away or deliberately
neglect het making her feel like an outsider. And she still had to worry about whether Luc would hurt his stomach from drinking too much!!
In the end, Luc asked her to take a tad home first, saying they were changing locations and it wouldn’t be convenient for her to tag along. In reality, he just wanted to ditch her to meet his ex–girlfriend.
Because Jake had pulled him aside and said something, Luc’s expression turned unpleasant when he returned, urging her to leave with a cold and impatient demeanor as if he were annoyed with her for following him!!
This incident led to an argument between them at home, and he blocked her onestagram and the phone. When she came back from the hospital with the pregnancy test
report, she received the divorce papers
ward to shake of
The past was too painful to revisit. Every moment was etched in her mind, and it was
it was hard to
Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Mrs. Johnson asked displeased, “Emms, your mother is talking to you. Didn’t you hear me? What’s wrong with you? Why are you always
Taken from her reverie, Emma replied Mom, don’t worry, he’s not interested in these things! Her tone was calm as if she were speaking about a stranger because she was just stating the truth. Based on his previous temperament, he wasn’t interested and didn’t want her to meet his old friends. Why act eager and invite distaste
Heaning this, Luc felt a sudden stiffness in his cheeks and a heavy sinking in his heart. Ha face darkened, and the endless coldness in his deep eyes frantically scanned
Emma’s indiferent face as if it were a bamage of attacks 3
Why had she become so unfamiliar?2)
If Emma’s tone had been tinged with resentment or a trace of complaint, he wouldn’t have felt this way. This unease and discomfort, this restlessness.
After a moment, a voice cold and indifferent as ice drifted forth, Emma, if you want to go to the movies today, it’s not impossible”
There’s no need. We’re about to divorce, why would we see a movie?
Before she could answer, Mrs. Johnson spoke eagerly with a laugh: “Emma, you see, Lue is quite romantic, isn’t he? You two should enjoy a movie today.”
Upon hearing Luc agree to see a movie with her daughter, a hint of joy appeared on Mrs. Johnson’s face it was as if she were the one going to watch a film with a handsome
man
Did Luc still have feelings for her daughter? Wasn’t it clear now?
Mr. Johnson shot a cold glance at Mrs. Johnson, seeing her elated expression, feeling disappointed was this really what was defined as romantic?
It was just charity
If Emms knew what her father was thinking, she would echo.sn’t his tone just that of charity?‘
Emma calmly faced Luc, her eyes still devoid of emotion, her face without a smile. Was it a prelude to divorce kind of charity?
Well, that’s fine! Inevitably, the songs end and people dissipate.
“It’s up to you, I don’t care
-Don’t care!
Luc’s heart trembled slightly, emanating an aura of suppression. Who was it that was pleading not to divorce in her dreams last night?
If you don’t care, who cares? I don’t either. After all, you are just an optional person to me; Luc reminded himself in his heart.
Mrs. Johnson
What’s wrong with Emma? Didn’t she always want to go to the movies with Luc? Why does she suddenly say it doesn’t matter?
“Emma, Luc has finally found some time to accompany you today. After breakfast, go tidy up so you don’t keep Luc waiting.
Mr Johnson put down his fork, glanced at Mrs. Johnson, and said. “This is the children’s business; you shouldn’t interfere.“3
How could Mr. Johnson not see that his beloved daughter didn’t want to go see a movie with Luc? Perhaps she had figured it out?
It should have been this way. He knew his aloof, intelligent, and insightful daughter would return to her senses. So lofty that people can only look up to her, even unreachable by looking up, that’s his precious daughter!
As for Lue, he’s nothing extraordinary
The ringtone of “Take Me to Your Heart” began to play, that was Luc’s phone. He picked up, sliding across the screen to answer the call. The voice on the other end was his mother, “Lue, where are you? You’re supposed to accompany me to the Star Music Hall today, Soraya’s school is having a performance there”
There was a shadow in Luc’s eyes as he asked, “Mom, why didn’t you mention this yesterday?”
If she had told him yesterday, he could have arranged it in advance, but now he had already promised Emma to go see a movie.
Luc walked toward the balcony, lowering his voice on the phone and closing the glass door behind him. “Yesterday? Do you have the nerve to bring up yesterday? Do you not know what happened at the old house?”
Luc pinched the bridge of his nose and soothed, “Mam, let’s not bring up the past “2
“Do you think I enjoy recalling it? Every time I think about it, my head hurts and my heart feels heavy. If Emma doesn’t apologize to me and Sorays, you better divorce her
Booner
Luc turned his head to glance at Emma through the glass:
“Luc, are you listening? Soraya’s concert starts at two this afternoon. You should come to pick me up in Quincy and go together beforehand; Soraya will be upset if you’re late.“%
“Mom, isn’t the driver around?” The community in the west was a bit for from Back Bay and Quincy in the east. It wouldn’t be far if starting from Back Bay but if leaving from the community, it would require a substantial detour.
Mrs. Taylor complained, Jerry Andrews took a day off today. Surely, I can’t take a taxi there?
“Okay, then I’ll come to pick you up
Luc hung up the phone, returned to the hall, and emotionlessly said, “Emms, Soraya has a concert at two this attemoory I have to rush over.” He didn’t find it inappropriate that he had just promised Emma to watch a movie together, yet now, he was leaving her.
“Weren’t you supposed to accompany Emma to see a movie?” Mrs. Johnson felt a bit upset, seeing through the situation. To him, her daughter was not as important as his family.
