Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Jay
She closed her eyes and sat still, her mind torn.
’What should I do? Should I leave now and focus on finding my parents? Or should I deal with this problem first? Both matter. Both are important. But which one comes first?’
.............
The rising heat of the base troubled many; some had blisters all over their feet, while others fainted from dehydration.
Ember, on the other hand, walked slowly and stopped outside her fiancé’s house.
The sun made her head dizzy, but she didn’t move away. Even as the sweat trickled down from her face, she continued to wait.
She planned to give a surprise to her fiancé, Jay.
Jay’s house was well-kept, with clean walls and working bathrooms.
There was also a 4-hour water supply in the house, one of the facilities that Jay’s family had specifically paid for.
’Even without air conditioners like I used to have at home, this house feels so much better than mine,’ she thought.
She admits that she feels envy and wants to enjoy those facilities too. However, knowing her current condition, she didn’t dare to go inside.
As she waited outside for Jay, she suddenly heard loud shouting inside.
Ember took a deep breath and decided to distract herself. She didn’t want to listen, but the voices were too clear.
The fight grew louder, and she realized Jay was arguing with his parents again.
Brenda’s high-pitched voice cut through the air. She was Jay’s mother, a beauty with brown hair and gray eyes.
"If you really want to stay with Ember, then forget about staying with this family!"
Ember’s heart skipped a beat. Sure enough... they were fighting because of her.
Then Jay’s furious voice followed.
"Fine! I don’t want to stay in this family either! But I have my share here. I hoarded most of the things. Why should you take them away and still try to throw me out?"
Right after, another man’s voice roared.
It was Gabby, Jay’s father. "Is this how you speak to your mother?"
Jay snapped back, his voice even louder than his father’s. "It wasn’t me who disrespected her first!"
The sound of a slap echoed; the impact must have been loud because even Ember was able to hear it.
Ember flinched as if she had been struck herself.
’Did his father just hit him? Should I run in? No, if I enter, it’ll only get worse. They’ll only be furious if they see me,’ she thought, her heart aching for her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend wasn’t a rebellious kind of man. Instead, he was an obedient child. Now... he was fighting for her.
A softer woman’s voice entered the argument.
Ember recognized it as Jay’s sister.
"Jay, if you care about the family, then leave Ember. Otherwise, there will be no harmony left between us."
Jay shouted back, his voice filled with rage, echoed,
"I can’t believe my own sister would say that! You’re the real problem here. I don’t want to stay with gold diggers like you!"
There was the sound of stomping feet, and soon Jay appeared at the entrance.
A handsome young man with tousled brown hair and shimmering brown eyes. His gentle aura sharply contradicted the rebellious look he had on his face.
When his eyes met Ember’s, guilt and surprise flashed across his face.
He hurried over and grabbed her hand, as if to hide everything that had just happened.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at your house? It’s hot here. If you stay, you’ll faint from all the heat," Jay said quickly.
He still treated her as if she were the same delicate young missy.
Ember shook her head, her eyes soft and wet. "Jay... will we really end up together?"
Jay froze, then hugged her tightly.
"Even if my parents accept it or not, I will marry you. If I have to give up this family or even die, I will still choose you."
Ember’s lips trembled, her heart skipping a beat.
Before, she always thought that sweet nothings were pleasant to hear, but now? Now she realized that everything Jay said to her with a serious face was pleasant to hear.
"Just hearing that is enough for me."
Jay smiled and brushed her cheek. "Come. Let’s have a small date. I will bring you to eat something good today."
Ember nodded gently. Just as they were leaving, a sharp voice stopped them.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
It was Ophelia, Jay’s younger sister. Her eyes were cold, and she stood on the doorstep with her arms crossed.
Her black hair cascaded down to her waist while her green eyes stayed fixed on Ember like an eagle eyeing its prey.
"We’re going on a date," Ember answered calmly.
Ophelia’s face turned cold. "You’re a girl. You should learn to keep your distance from my brother."
Ember’s heart thudded.
’How ironic. Just a few months ago, she couldn’t stop cheering for me to marry her brother. She used to act like my best friend. And now, just because my family lost its wealth, she’s suddenly telling me to stay away from him.’
She masked her expression into utter calmness, but her voice was still laced with slight hurt. "Why have you changed so much, Ophelia?"
For a second, guilt flickered in Ophelia’s eyes.
Then she turned her head away and said flatly,
"I haven’t changed. It’s you who doesn’t understand. You should look at your family. You don’t even have enough food to eat. How dare you dream about being part of ours?"
Ember clenched her fist. Her voice sounded firmer this time.
"If that’s how you feel, then give back all the gifts I gave you."
Ophelia snapped, pointing her finger at Ember.
"Those were voluntary gifts! You can’t take them back now!"
Ember closed her eyes in despair, a dull ache rising in her chest.
’I really was blind. I thought she was my best friend. I thought she liked me. But she only liked what I could give.’
Jay, who had stayed silent, suddenly turned toward his sister.
"If you hate my fiancée so much, then you should hate the gifts she gave you, too. Hand them back. Otherwise, I’ll take them from your room myself."