Chapter 1001 He Might Be Starting Over

I opened my mouth, but Emily's words had left me speechless. She inhaled deeply. "Sure, cutting ties with Liam might cleanse the love of my younger days and make it feel pure again. I could probably make a good life for myself. But now, it's not just about me. "I'm Ashley's mother. The moment she was born, I stopped being just the pampered Emily. I became Ashley's mom, and I can't just exist on my own." I furrowed my brows. "But even with him in your life, aren't you and your daughter still..." "It used to be that way," she said, cutting me off mid-sentence. "But you've seen what's happened to her face. She's a girl, and those scars are going to mark her for life. She'll face more challenges than most women, and we both know it. "If I leave Liam again and take her with me, wouldn't that just be another wound for her to bear?" I was struck silent, my words failing me. True, being marked by scars was tough enough, but being a child of a single parent too? It was a double blow, both physically and emotionally. How utterly sad. The silence hung in the air for a brief moment. I looked at Emily and offered a weak smile. I decided not to dredge up the past again. Instead, I simply asked, "Is Liam treating you well?" She glanced down, her voice a whisper. "Maybe it's the guilt from before, but since we got back together, he's been kinder than he ever was." "That's good to hear," I replied with a small nod. It was not perfect, but it was not all bad. Maybe, in time, they could heal the old wounds and find something beautiful. "What about you? Iddy?" she started to ask but then paused, her attention shifting. I followed her gaze instinctively. Not too far away, I saw Idris and a woman I recognized as Ms. Fuller from the Fullers' party. She was the kind of woman who grew up in luxury, with a grace and style that matched her upbringing. Together, they looked like the picture of a perfect couple. "Are you here on business, Iddy?" Emily called, already waving to Idris with a friendly gesture. Idris caught my eyes for just a split second before he calmly looked away, his attention shifting to Emily with a slight smile. "Are you here to see a friend?" Friend? Emily hesitated, shot me a quick look, and nodded. Then, she turned to him and the young woman with him. "What brings you two here?" She seemed like she wanted to ask if they were on a date, but she held back, probably out of consideration for me. Ms. Fuller responded with a gentle smile, "Iddy and I just bumped into each other outside. He and my brother are here on business, and I just came along for the food." "Got it!" Emily chuckled, giving Idris a glance but keeping her thoughts to herself. Idris, not one for small talk, simply said, "We should get going." Emily nodded and watched them enter the private room. Once they were out of sight, Emily turned to me, her eyebrows arching gracefully. "Looks like those things you said back in Tully City were more than just a little harsh. Iddy doesn't seem like the type to hold a grudge, but he's still upset. You must've hit a nerve." I poured myself some fruit juice and kept my voice steady. "Maybe he's not mad, just ready to move on." He hadn't even bothered to look at me, calling me Emily's friend as if I were a stranger. It was clear he was ready for a fresh start. Emily smirked. "You're a tough nut to crack, huh? Are you really trying to push Iddy away?" I did not answer her question. I just met her gaze and said matter-of-factly, "Ms. Fuller seems like a catch. I've met her at the Fullers' place before. She's definitely Idris' grandma's type." "Yvette, have you..." Emily's eyes went wide, her voice trailing off in disbelief. "Have you ever thought about how Iddy feels? He's a real person with real feelings. He hurts, and he suffers. Sometimes, I seriously wonder if you ever truly loved him." I let the fruit juice linger on my tongue, its bitterness mirroring my thoughts. Love? That was a novel concept.