N turned on her heel and walked out.


    If Emerald had genuinely been unable to see her because of some life- threatening circumstances, N could have understood.


    But judging by the photo, it was clear that Emerald had been living a good life.


    For Alexander to im that Emerald "missed her" felt like a cruel joke. That supposed longing wasn''t even worth the price of a ne ticket.


    Back in her car, N sat quietly, forcing herself to calm down before starting the engine and driving away.


    Not long after she left, Alexander pulled out his phone and made a call.


    There was a note of helplessness in his voice as he spoke. "Aunt Emerald, N seems very resistant to the idea of going to Meristate."


    A cold, distant female voice answered on the other end. "No matter what it takes, you must bring her back."


    "I understand," Alexander replied with a sigh. "But you''ve really given me quite the challenge this time."


    "I''m busy. Figure it out yourself," the voice snapped before promptly hanging up. Alexander shook his head, pocketed his phone, and walked off.


    At home, N tried to distract herself by turning on the TV, but she couldn''t focus. Alexander''s words kept reying in her mind, forcing her thoughts to drift back to Emerald.


    Her phone suddenly rang, breaking her reverie. It was Vrie.


    "N, are you free right now? Let''s go out for a bit!" Vrie said cheerfully.


    After a moment''s thought, N decided that getting out of the house was better than stewing in her thoughts. "Sure."


    The two met at the mall. As soon as Vrie saw her, she frowned. "You look so down. What''s wrong?"


    "A lot has been happeningtely. I''m just exhausted," N admitted.


    Vrie nodded sympathetically.


    "Same here. I even fought with Brandon yesterday. I swear, he''s so


    annoying sometimes. How can a grown man be so petty? It''s exhausting!"


    N couldn''t help butugh at Vrie''s love-struck distress. "You don''t know how much I envy you. At least all you have to worry about is love. I''m drowning in a million other problems."


    "Oh, stop," Vrie teased. "We''re here to have fun today, so no more gloomy talk. Let''s shop till we drop."


    "Deal," N said.


    The two spent over two hours browsing the mall. When they finally left, they were


    both in high spirits, each carrying a mountain of shopping bags.


    "Shopping is the best therapy!" Vrie eximed happily.


    She felt even better after using Brandon''s card to shop. This would bepensation for the fight they''d had the day before.


    N smiled at her. "You''re right. But I''m exhausted after lugging all these bags around. Let''s drop them off in the car and grab something to eat."


    "Great idea," Vrie chirped.


    As they headed to the parking lot, a red Porsche Panamera pulled up in front of them. Theo stepped out with a smile.


    "Ms. Kinsey, Ms. Weir, what a coincidence running into you two here!" he said warmly.


    Vrie, however, wasn''t in the


    mood. Her face remained cold amet


    she replied, "It sure is. But we''re busy, so if you''ll excuse us, we''ll catch you some other time.


    When she tried to lead N away, Theo quickly stepped in front of them. "Ms.


    Kinsey, actually, I was hoping to ask a favor."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!