In the villa, four children snuggled up to Emily. Beyond this cozy scene, Emma stood silently, her eyes red. She had witnessed Gimson taking Emily away, but now it was Derek who brought her back.
What about Gimson? Where did he go?
She wanted to ask but didn't dare.
Derek soon entered from outside, his face cold, and his gaze fell indifferently on Emma's face.
Emma avoided his eyes and, with trembling lips, said, "I'm a bit uncomfortable; I'll go back first."
"Don't you want to know where Gimson is?" Derek halted Emma with one word. He spoke in a cold voice, "Chris, take your siblings upstairs."
Chris understood that this was an adult conversation and obediently led the siblings upstairs by their hands.
Emma covered her chest and slowly asked, "Derek, what did you do to your brother..."
"It wasn't me who did anything to him; it was him who chose a path of death," Derek said in a cold voice. "He's dead; I killed him myself."
"What..." Emma's eyes widened abruptly, her entire body instantly fell on the couch.
Derek didn't soften at all and continued, "If I had sent him to court, it wouldn't have been enough for him to die ten thousand times. Now, it's just one bullet that killed him; he took advantage of the situation."
"How can you do this? He's your own brother!" Emma cried out mournfully. "He was born bitter, never enjoying a day of happiness or peace. He should have lived happily..."
"He could have aspired to the light, but he shouldn't have coveted everything that belongs to me," Derek's voice remained indifferent. "He could have had a completely different life; but it was his own choice to sink into the darkness."
Emma flopped down on the couch, crying her heart out.
Looking at the agonized Emma, Emily suddenly recalled the time when Derek disappeared two months ago.
During that period, Emma had experienced pain as well, but she had never witnessed Emma cry like this.
Perhaps, between the two sons, Emma would always choose the one she felt indebted to. However, how was that not another injustice to Derek?
"You're so cruel, how could you be so cruel..." Emma suddenly rose from the couch and stumbled toward Derek, pounding his chest as hard as she could.
Her sobs were tinged with accusation and anger...
Emily pursed her lips and spoke coldly, "Emma, Gimson is dead, at the hands of both of us. In the future, whenever you see me and Derek, you will be reminded of Gimson's tragic death, so—" She paused and added, "Emma, go abroad. That way, your mind will find peace."
Emma froze, her eyes wide open, letting tears fall in bunches. Suddenly, she burst into mad laughter, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Emily, it's because of you! Without you, Gimson would never have come back. If it weren't for you, my two sons wouldn't have turned completely against each other. It's all because of you! Give me back my son!"
Emma rushed over and grabbed Emily by the collar. Emily frowned coldly, then raised her hand and pushed Emma away forcefully. Caught off guard, Emma's whole body fell onto the carpet.
"Emma, from the time you covered up for Gimson, I don't see you as a mother-in-law in my heart! Nevertheless, you are my children's grandmother, and I will always honor you." Emily looked down at Emma condescendingly. "But you shouldn't have jeopardized my children again by helping Gimson for the sake of your selfish motherly love. If anything happens to my children, I won't hesitate to send you to hell to meet Gimson."
Her face remained composed, but her words carried a determined menace.
"Derek, do you hear that? This is the woman you married. She even tried to kill your mother!" Emma looked at Derek, her voice hoarse. "This woman is going to ruin our family. She got your brother killed, and now she's trying to kill me..."
Derek spoke coldly, "Our family is already a mess, with or without Emily. Mother, leave the country. If I have time, I'll bring the children over to visit you."
Emma remained incredulous, "Derek, Gimson is dead. And now you're sending me away?"
"And Emma, why would you stay here?" The corner of Emily's lips curled into a cold smile. "In the future, the happier we live, the more you'll feel sorry for Gimson. Since Gimson is the only son you have in your heart, you shouldn't stay here to break Derek's heart repeatedly."
Emma covered her chest, tears falling like rain.
Derek's face remained pale. "The plane leaves at nine o'clock tonight. Pack your bags, mother," he declared.
Having said that, he held Emily's hand, and the two of them walked side by side towards the second floor. Emma covered her mouth and cried out again.
When she entered the bedroom, Emily released Derek's hand and tilted her head to look at Derek, who was standing in front of her. "Do you blame me for what I did to your mother?"
Derek's hand found its way around the back of her neck, and he whispered, "Emily, I should have sent my mom away a long time ago. I was too soft-hearted to prevent things from going too far."
Emily obediently snuggled into his arms.
At eight o'clock that night, the butler personally drove Emma to the airport. By the time the children knew it, Emma was already boarding a plane to a foreign country.
Diane cocked her head and asked in disbelief, "Mommy, why did Grandma leave all by herself?"
"Grandma said she would take us with her on a farm trip abroad," Aaron said, flattening his little mouth. "I heard there were cows and kangaroos on the farm. Grandma said they were super cute. I want to pet them so bad."
Emily smiled gently, "When we're done with this time, I'll take you guys overseas to see your grandma."
"Yay, great!" Aaron jumped up and down happily. "All of us will go together then, okay?"
He bounced around Emily and accidentally stepped on her foot.
Emily was wearing slippers with her toes exposed, and the little guy's force was so heavy that a sharp pain immediately shot from her big toe.
Her slender eyebrows abruptly furrowed, her scarlet lips revealing displeasure, and her voice became serious, "Aaron, can you stop being so careless in the future?"
Aaron suddenly froze. He had only stepped on his mommy's toes; it wasn't like he hadn't done it before, and his mommy had always said it was okay, so why did this time...
"Why don't you apologize to Mommy?" Chris pulled him back.
Aaron reacted with an afterthought. He stood properly and lowered his head, "I'm sorry Mommy, I didn't mean it. I won't ever do it again."
Emily pursed her lips. Why did she suddenly get angry just now? She wasn't usually a bad-tempered person. And it didn't hurt that much to step on her toes.
She crouched down and said gently, "It's okay, Aaron. Mommy was just joking with you."
Aaron didn't dare to relax at all; the way Mommy just looked, it didn't seem like a joke at all.
He carefully said, "Mommy, I haven't finished my homework yet. I'll go do my homework first."
"Go ahead." Emily stroked his head.
Chris and Diane looked at each other, and the two of them walked out of the room holding Diane's hand. It was only when they got outside that Chris spoke in a low voice: "Chris, why do I think Mommy is acting a little weird?"
"Don't think too much," Chris pursed his lips.