The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

"Michael, we're divorced! Can't you read the divorce papers? How long are you gonna keep this up?

"The kid's yours, but the papers clearly say I have custody. I get to decide who he can and can't see.noveldrama

"So what if you're his dad? He's about to be a fully-formed baby boy, but what have you done for him? Can you even say?"

Every word hit like a sledgehammer.

Emily's voice was choked with tears, but her words were sharp and unyielding.

These words publicly humiliated Michael.

Michael was completely stunned. He couldn't respond because, in truth, he hadn't done anything for the child.

Seeing him speechless, Emily shot him a final, heavy glance before turning and getting into the car.

Daniel and Abigail followed closely behind.

Michael stood there, ears ringing, watching Abigail's car speed away, looking so worn out and helpless on the courthouse steps.

Through the rearview mirror, Emily could see Michael's forlorn figure.

But no matter how much it hurt inside, she didn't want to look back.

"Emily, wipe your tears." Suddenly, Daniel handed her a tissue from the back seat.

He knew Emily's morning sickness had been severe lately, so he insisted she sit in the

front passenger seat where it was more spacious and comfortable.

His considerate actions stood in stark contrast to Michael's rough behavior.

Even Abigail could see the difference, but Emily seemed numb, taking the tissue without any other thoughts.

At the Smith Mansion

Mason hadn't had a good night's sleep in days.

Michael and Emily's relationship had completely fallen apart, Veda hadn't been home

in a long time, and as for Scarlett... Mason didn't want to see her at all!

Day after day passed, and he grew accustomed to the loneliness.

He could always talk to Benjamin about his worries.

But still, he felt an inexplicable unease.

That day, Mason couldn't shake a bad feeling, so he quickly asked Benjamin to call Smith Corporation. Everything at the company was running smoothly.

Still uneasy, Mason asked Benjamin to call Michael.

After three or four attempts with no answer, Mason was frantic.

"I knew it! I knew it!" Mason pounded his cane on the floor. "That guy always has to stir

up trouble every few days! Otherwise, he just can't be happy!"

"Call Emily. She must know where Michael is!" Mason demanded.

Emily was determined to divorce Michael, so she must know his whereabouts.

The state of their relationship made Mason's heart ache.

Benjamin quickly called Emily, but after two attempts with no answer, Mason's anxiety peaked.

"No! I need to go to Emerald Lake Manor!"

Benjamin knew Mason was worried and couldn't stop him, so he prepared the car.

Meanwhile, Andrew had just finished handling company matters when he got a call from Mason.

He knew Mason must be looking for Michael.

But Michael was supposed to be finalizing the divorce with Emily today, and Andrew had no idea how it went.

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Unable to wait, he decided to call Michael. "Hello, Mr. Smith?"

"Is this Andrew? This is Mike Reed, the driver! Mr. Smith is hurt!" Mike's urgent voice came through the phone.

Andrew was stunned. "What? Hurt? How? Wait, wasn't he just finalizing the divorce? How did this happen..."

Mike quickly explained, "Yeah, the divorce! After it was finalized, Mrs. Smith left with her friend. Mr. Smith stood at the courthouse steps for a long time, looking lost. Then, out of nowhere, he walked into the street!"

"I looked away for just a second, and Mr. Smith got hit by a car!"

Andrew felt his whole body go numb.

Another car accident.

Michael had been in a severe car accident before, suffering major organ damage and multiple hospitalizations. Another one?

He couldn't handle it!

"Get Mr. Smith to Emerald City Central Hospital immediately! I'll be there soon!"

"Yes, sir!"

***

Emily had moved out of Emerald Lake Manor again.

This time, she didn't take much, so there wasn't much emotional attachment. She quickly said goodbye to Lexine and the others and got into Abigail's car to stay at her place temporarily.

It was peak travel season, so international flights were hard to book.

She had just paid off Michael's debts, so getting a first-class ticket would take some time.

Plus, she had just received an advance from Penelope, so she needed to focus on the JM Jewelry Company project.

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"Abigail, why is Daniel here?"

Back at Abigail's house, Daniel had followed Emily and Abigail.

Seeing there were no cooking tools, he quickly went out, leaving Emily a moment to ask Abigail.

"Just like I said, we ran into him on the way! Emily, Daniel is really worried about you.

He insisted on coming to check on you. He knows it might not look good, so he stayed

in the car. If it weren't for Michael..."

Mentioning Michael, Abigail glanced at Emily.

Seeing her friend's sadness, she quickly changed the subject back to Daniel. "Emily, seriously, now that you're free, don't you want to consider Daniel?"

Emily knew Abigail meant well.

As a single mom, raising a child alone wouldn't be easy.

Most people would consider a better option if they had one.

But now...

"No, Abigail, we're not right for each other."

Abigail was puzzled. "You haven't even tried. How do you know it's not right? Is it too soon? That's okay, you can take it slow! Emily, being alone is hard. I just hope you don't miss out on someone better!"

Emily understood the logic.

But she also knew her own heart.

On the surface, she and Michael had finalized the divorce, seemingly cutting all ties.

She appeared resolute and unfeeling.

But in reality, she couldn't let go of the past, the love they once had, and the fearless, unwavering person she used to be in that relationship.

She couldn't move on from the three years they had shared and longed for them

deeply.