Chapter 2
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Thanks to her outstanding project report, Emily Wright scored a coveted dinner with Mr. Daniel—the internationally renowned architectural master and Victor Fuller's professional idol. Knowing how much Victor worshiped Daniel, she'd hinted mysteriously about a surprise a week in advance. Victor had been ecstatic, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. "Emily, you're my lucky charm!" he'd exclaimed.
On the evening of the dinner, Emily donned a tailored suit and applied subtle makeup. Just as she was heading out the door, Victor called. In the background, she could hear Lily's soft, theatrical sobs.
"Emily, I can't make it tonight." His voice carried practiced urgency. "Lily's emotionally unstable. The doctor says she has mild depression. She just—she threatened suicide and was standing by the balcony edge. I have to stay with her! I'm sorry, Emily. I'll make it up to you next time, I promise!"
Emily Wright gripped her phone, nails digging crescents into her palm. "Victor Fuller, do you have any idea how hard I worked for this opportunity?"
"I know! I know it's important!" Victor cut her off. "But Emily, a life is at stake here! Lily's in a fragile state right now. I can't risk her safety! You're my girlfriend—you should understand and support me, right? Please, just be more understanding!"
There it was again—that damned phrase—"be understanding"!
In the end, she met Master Daniel alone. When he gently inquired, "Mr. Fuller couldn't join us?" she forced a brittle smile. "He had an extremely important emergency."
That night, she received a message from Lily Woods: "Miss Wright, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault. I ruined your important appointment with Vic. I just... wasn't thinking clearly. Vic was right—I shouldn't burden him like this, but he's all I have to rely on."
Emily didn't bother replying. She simply deleted the conversation.
Weeks later, her father was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Though not major surgery, her father was elderly, and as she waited alone outside the operating room, watching the "Surgery in Progress" light, anxiety crushed her chest. Feeling helpless and scared, she instinctively called Victor Fuller.
The phone rang for ages before he answered. In the background, she heard a cat's pitiful meowing and Lily Woods' gentle cooing: "Vic, I think it stopped shaking. Do you think the poor thing is traumatized?"
"Em, what's up? Has your dad's surgery started?" Victor's voice sounded thoroughly distracted.
"Not yet. I'm waiting outside. I'm really worried."
"Don't stress too much—it's a minor procedure. On my end..." he paused, "Lily's ragdoll cat ate something weird and got spooked. It's been shaking and won't eat. She's been crying, so I'm with her at the animal hospital. Keep me posted on your dad, and call if anything changes."
In that moment, Emily Wright felt ice spread from her feet to the crown of her head. Her father's health crisis and her own fear couldn't compete with Lily's frightened cat?
She said nothing and ended the call.
At her company's crucial project celebration banquet, Victor Fuller showed up in formal attire as her boyfriend, drawing envious glances from colleagues. During the event, he was charm personified, conversing gracefully with guests, making her look good.
After several rounds of drinks, his phone rang with that special ringtone that made Emily's heart plummet. He glanced at it, his expression shifting subtly, and stepped away to answer.
Upon returning, he grabbed his coat and whispered in Emily's ear: "Emily, Lily thinks someone's breaking into her apartment—something's wrong with her door lock. She's alone and terrified. I need to check on her."
Emily Wright stared at him in disbelief, tamping down her anger. "Now? The celebration isn't even over! And shouldn't she call the police if she thinks there's an intruder?"
"She panicked and called me first. The police would take too long, and her safety is paramount." His tone was rushed. "Cover for me with everyone—I'll be back soon."
Of course, once he left, he never returned. Emily Wright stood alone in the center of the venue, enduring sympathetic, curious, and even smug glances from colleagues, feeling like a clown thrust onto stage, her joy and sense of achievement trampled to dust.
After each conflict, Victor Fuller trotted out his perfect excuses:
"Lily's situation is special—please understand."
"She's like my little sister—I have to look after her."
"Emily, try to understand—her parents aren't around, she's all alone."
"You're my girlfriend—you should be supportive and understanding."
And Lily Woods would always follow up with messages to Emily Wright in her weak, innocent voice:
"Miss Wright, I'm so sorry for disturbing you and Vic again. I'm such a burden."
"It's all my fault—my health is so poor, causing problems between you two. Don't blame Vic, blame me."
"Vic just worries about me too much. He still sees me as that helpless little girl from childhood. Please don't misunderstand."
Emily evolved from fierce arguments and vocal grievances to silent, numb acceptance. She felt like a prisoner awaiting execution, with Lily's phone calls serving as the guillotine that could drop at any moment. She even began questioning herself—was she truly being unreasonable? Was she asking for too much?
