The uneasiness in her heart intensified, rendering it impossible for Emily to remain still.
Before long, the car they were in pulled up in front of the villa, with a layer of frost still clinging to Derek's face.
Observing that Derek showed no intention of leaving the car, Emily sensed that he might have something important to share, perhaps related to Serena.
At the thought, Emily's heart sank a little.
Breaking the silence with a light cough, she carefully began, "Derek, though I'm unaware of how your conversation with Serena unfolded, I respect whatever choices you make. After all..."
Emily paused momentarily before continuing, "I understand that our marriage initially revolved around the children. Now that Serena is back, you..."
Reluctantly, Emily admitted, albeit quietly, that she was saddened by her own words.
"Emily..."
However, Derek abruptly interrupted her with a sudden outburst, fixing his deep eyes on her with seriousness.
Her heart flipped, and her entire body froze as she waited anxiously for Derek's pronouncement.
Derek's hand precisionally grasped Emily's arm. Startled, she instinctively tried to break free, but Derek's gaze and the pressure of his hand increased.
"Emily, I have something to tell you."
Derek slowly opened his mouth, his voice exuding magnetism, causing Emily to cease struggling involuntarily. She nervously pursed her lips and asked, "What... What are you going to tell me?"
"Emily, you know, I think I'm in love with you..."
Upon hearing those words, Emily's heart momentarily stopped, then pounded faster, almost leaping out of her throat. She pursed her scarlet lips, immobilized, focusing intently on Derek's voice.
"I don't know when I started caring about you... Initially, I didn't know who the father of your child was, and I was genuinely jealous of that man..."
Derek's voice resonated, low and magnetic, with every word.
"Do you know how elated I was when I realized that the woman from that night five years ago was you?" The corners of Derek's mouth curled into a smile.
Emily observed the innocent and sincere expression on his face, and suddenly, she found herself believing every word he spoke.
"When I discovered that I was the father of your child and you were the mother of my child, I felt, well, fortunate." Derek's dark eyes focused on her face. "Emily, I've been abandoned and hurt by love before, but you're the one who redeemed me with love again. After talking to Serena tonight, it dawned on me that I don't want to miss out on you again. Emily, I love you..."
Emily's eyes welled up with tears, and she began to speak. Instead, Derek interrupted her and seized her wrist.
"No, I'm not done talking...
"Emily, listen. I love you not because you're the mother of my children, but because you are you." Emily pursed her scarlet lips.
How could she not know this? Perhaps she had known it all along and had just pretended not to acknowledge it. She was a coward fearing misunderstanding and love-induced pain. But now, gazing into Derek's resolute and sincere eyes, her heart felt swathed in the softest warmth.
It was as if her heart had gained a newfound strength, allowing her to relinquish the need to be so strong, to drop the facade in front of her children.
The scenes from the past replayed in Emily's mind. Since meeting this man, her life had truly become more vibrant. Not only hers, but the children's smiles had also intensified. Maybe, just maybe, she could try.
Try to be brave for once, try to open her heart, try to acknowledge her feelings, try to genuinely experience love with this man before her.
Emily sensed her eyes moistening. She looked down, took a deep breath, and when she raised her face, a bright, colorful smile adorned her lips. She was about to speak when suddenly...
"Mommy, Daddy, where have you been?"
Emily and Derek glanced at the villa through the car window simultaneously, only to find four children who should have been quietly sleeping, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, shouting at them.
Derek and Emily exchanged smiles, then opened the car door and walked towards the villa. Emily followed behind Derek, smiling as she observed his tall figure.
"Humph! Daddy, you and Mommy are sneaking around behind our backs! I'll never pay attention to you and Mommy again!" Diana huffed.
Derek lifted Diana onto his shoulders and softly said, "I'm sorry, my little baby. Your mommy and I will take you with us next time we go out!"
Ian approached with a big smile on his face, saying, "Daddy, I want you to read me a story!"
"Okay!" Derek picked Ian up, and the sound of Ian's joyful laughter echoed in the living room.
"Daddy, Daddy, I want a story too!" Aaron rushed over fearlessly, grabbing Derek's pants leg.
Derek set Ian down and grinned, "All four of you, gather around and sit together."
"Yay, great!" Aaron cheered happily.
Derek then turned to Chris, who stood off to the side, seemingly unmoved like a little adult. "Come on, Chris."
Chris squirmed, turned his head, and tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I don't like stories. Kids are the ones who like them. I already grew up!"
"Oh, come on!" Derek uncharacteristically pulled Chris over to sit with his siblings.
Then Derek began to tell fairy tales in an exaggerated manner, and the children were all amused by his animated tone and expressions.
Emily laughed at the cozy scene unfolding in front of her.
Meanwhile, Derek's mother, Emma, stood on the second-floor stairs, a relieved smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
But suddenly, her phone rang.
As soon as she glimpsed the caller ID, Emma's hand shook.
Fearing that the people downstairs might hear the ringing, she hurriedly silenced the phone. However, the call persisted.
Glancing at the cozy and amicable scene below, Emma bit her lip tightly and walked into the study to answer the call.
"My dear mother, it seems like you've already forgotten about me as your son. When Derek got married, I didn't even receive an invitation." The man on the other end of the phone spoke with a hint of gloom. "What? Am I not qualified to attend my own brother's wedding?"
Emma's heartbeat skipped a beat. She took a deep breath and said, "Gimson, what happened back then was all my fault. You can hate me. It was my momentary negligence that allowed you to be taken away by someone else, causing you to suffer over the years. But please don't take it out on your brother. Just think of it as Mom begging you, okay?"
"Do you know what my first thought was when I found out about my true origin?" Gimson coldly replied, "Why wasn't Derek the one who was taken away? Now he can stand tall as the heir of the Scott family, while I can only hide in a dark corner like a sewer rat, begging for a living. On what grounds? It's not fair! Look, I'm the eldest son of the Scott family! This all belongs to me in the first place! I came back this time to take back everything that belongs to me!"
With that, Gimson hung up the phone, leaving Emma staring at the device in her hand, her heart pounding.
Her two sons were supposed to be the closest brothers in the world, but due to an accident, they had turned into bitter enemies, causing her immense pain.