The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

With Michael around, the Brown Family members wisely kept their mouths shut, after all, Emily was still technically the Smith Family's mistress. And Hayden's company was in deep financial trouble, needing cash badly. So, even though he couldn't stand Emily, he had to play nice in front of Michael.

"Emily, just say sorry to Sophia. She won't hold it against you," Hayden said, giving Sophia a secret look to keep things cool.

But Sophia acted like she didn't notice. "Are you sure you want me to apologize?" Emily ignored Hayden and locked eyes with Sophia, asking again.

Sophia felt a pang of guilt under Emily's intense stare. She pinched herself and turned away, looking at Michael with a pitiful expression. "I don't need Emily's apology, Michael. My leg hurts so much."

Emily smirked. "You should get to the hospital. Wait any longer, and the wound might start to heal."

Michael took a deep breath. It seemed like Emily's sweet and kind act was just that-an act. This was the first time he'd seen her so harsh.

"Emily, look at yourself. You're really annoying," Michael said, not even glancing at her as he picked up Sophia and walked out. Once Michael left, it was just Hayden and Evelyn. Amelia had already been sent upstairs to rest.

Emily didn't want to stick around in this suffocating place either. She was about to leave when Hayden and Evelyn chased after her.

"Stop," Hayden ordered.

"Something else?" Emily turned back, her gaze icy.

"What? You think you can just leave after hitting Sophia?" Hayden yelled.

Emily looked at him, feeling sick. "When did you see me hit her? Her acting is so bad, I didn't even bother to call her out."

"I know you hate us, but Sophia is innocent. Back then, your mother..." Evelyn started.

"Shut up. You mistress, you have no right to mention my mom," Emily cut her off sharply.

Suddenly, Hayden slapped Emily, and her left cheek turned red with a bright handprint. Evelyn watched with a smug look.

"Is this how you talk to Evelyn? Where are your manners?" Hayden fumed, hands on his hips.

Emily touched her swollen cheek, not surprised. "Yeah, I have no manners because my father never taught me," she shot back, her hatred for Hayden at its peak.

Hayden held back his anger, remembering why he had called her back. "Emily, I won't hold it against you. We can forgive you for hitting Sophia if you can get Mr. Smith to invest in the Brown Corporation. I'll treat you like I used to." Emily finally got why Hayden wanted her at this so-called welcome party. She couldn't help but laugh in anger. "Even if I could make decisions for Michael, why would I help you?" she said, turning to leave.

"Emily, it's fine if you don't help. Just agree to divorce Mr. Smith, and Sophia will naturally help us," Evelyn said, making Emily stop in her tracks.

"What do you mean?" Hayden clearly didn't know about Michael and Sophia.

"Can't you see? Michael's more into Sophia," Evelyn teased, nudging Hayden. With Evelyn's hint, Hayden suddenly got it. No wonder Michael left with Sophia; he liked her. Emily's fingers clenched so tight they turned white. "And don't think I don't know Mr. Smith already mentioned divorce to you. If you're smart, sign the papers quickly," Evelyn said smugly.

Emily didn't even know how she walked out of Serenity Villa. This place used to be her and Isabella's happy home. Back then, Hayden was a loving dad and a gentle husband. It felt like yesterday, yet so far away. Now, she just wanted to escape, to erase their words from her mind. The marriage she had fought so hard for now felt like a sword hanging over her.

In the car heading to the hospital, Sophia clung tightly to Michael, but he only felt nauseous. He frowned, wondering if it was because of Emily again.

"What's wrong, Michael?" Sophia noticed his discomfort.

"Nothing, your perfume is too strong," Michael said, opening the car window. Sophia silently pulled away, knowing not to push it. After all, there was still plenty of time; she wasn't in a hurry.

Emily drove out of Serenity Villa in a daze. After driving for a while, she finally couldn't help but stop the car. She covered her face with her hands and buried her head in the steering wheel, crying uncontrollably.

A phone ringing snapped her out of it. "Hello, Abigail Rodriguez." She tried to sound normal.

The call was from her best friend, Abigail, probably about work.

"Emily, you sound down. What's wrong?" Abigail asked, concerned.

"Do you have time? Let's talk in person," Emily replied.

Abigail waited for half an hour at Bean Bliss Café before Emily finally showed up.

"Why are you so slow?" But seeing her driving, she instantly understood. She must have gone to Serenity Villa.

Seeing Abigail, Emily finally showed her most genuine smile in days, but the next second, Abigail exclaimed. "Emily, what's wrong with your face? Did your dad hit you?" Abigail stood up angrily. She had a delicate appearance, so even when she was angry, she wasn't intimidating. But Emily smiled knowingly, pulling her to sit down. Emily felt warm inside and then told her everything that had happened in the past few days.

After a while, Abigail still hadn't closed her shocked mouth. Emily specifically ordered a glass of milk, waiting for Abigail to process everything.

"Wait, you're pregnant and Michael wants to divorce you? Sophia is back? Your dad hit you? Which one should I be shocked about?" Abigail was stunned.

In the end, Abigail cursed Michael, after all, none of this would have happened without him. "So what are you going to do now? Are you keeping the baby?" Abigail asked worriedly.

Emily nodded. Since she had decided, she wouldn't regret it.

"Alright, Emily, whatever you do, I'll support you. But aren't you going to tell Michael that the baby is his? After all, he has the right to know as the father," Abigail said softly.

Emily gently shook her head. "No, whether he believes it's his child is another matter. If he knew, he probably wouldn't let me keep the baby. This is fine. Anyway, we're getting divorced soon. After the divorce, I'll leave with the child." Abigail looked at her, her eyes filled with nothing but pity, silently cursing Michael from head to toe again.