My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 957

Elizabeth Wilson tapped her toes against the floor. “Even so, I still feel a bit uneasy about all this.”

She hopped over, propping her arms on Emily’s desk. “What do you think the Austins would do if they found out you were their real daughter? Would they regret it? Maybe feel guilty and try to make it up to you?”

Emily Blair thought for a moment. “I doubt it.”

“Why not?”

Emily’s mind flashed back to the way Mrs. Austin had glared at her, practically spitting venom as she accused Emily of ruining Isabella’s life. “If they ever found out, it’d probably be just like in one of those TV dramas: ‘I don’t want you as my daughter; I only want Isabella.’”

Elizabeth let out a laugh. “Wouldn’t even be surprised. The Austins’ way of thinking is honestly beyond me.”

“So, are you actually planning to acknowledge them as your biological parents?”

“No,” Emily said flatly.

“Then… are you going to tell Tristan Davis?”

Emily went quiet for a moment. “It’s not like it’s some terrible secret. I’ll tell him when he gets back—he’s busy right now, and I’d rather not bother him.”

“Whatever you decide, you know I’m always on your side.” Elizabeth patted Emily’s shoulder. “Now get back to work—we’ve got a big project coming up.”

By the time Emily got home, it was already past eight. They’d had an emergency meeting after work about the autonomous driving project; the executives had all agreed to join the bidding, which meant they had to start planning teams, assigning roles, and sketching out early proposals. She didn’t finish until late.

When she opened the door, something was different. Emma George hadn’t gone out tonight—she was actually home.

As soon as Emily stepped inside, she was greeted by the warm aroma of home-cooked food. She paused, looking up to see four dishes and a steaming bowl of soup set out on the dining table.

Emma emerged from the kitchen, beaming, spatula in hand. “You’re back! Just one more dish and dinner’s ready. Go relax in the living room for a minute.”

Maybe Emma didn’t realize how much she was trying to please her, but Emily just pressed her lips together and nodded.

At dinner, Emma kept piling food into Emily’s bowl, so much that it began to look like a small mountain.

Seeing Emma about to add more, Emily quickly stopped her. “That’s enough, really. I have plenty.”

Emma shot her a playful glare. “How is that enough? You’re so thin these days, and with all this stress at work, you need to eat more.”

Emily could only watch as Emma dropped another piece of meat into her bowl. “Mom, seriously, I’m good. I promise.”

“Not enough,” Emma insisted.

Emily set down her fork. “Mom, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Emma’s hand froze, and she gave a sheepish smile as she put down her fork. “Why don’t we eat first? It’s better when it’s hot.”

Emily just nodded and ate in silence, unhurried.

When they finished, Emily stood up to clear the dishes, but Emma was faster, snatching them out of her hands. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it—just go sit down, I’ll take care of everything.”

Emily let go, watching as Emma hurried into the kitchen.

She went back to the couch to wait.

A few minutes later, Emma came over, drying her hands on a towel, and sat down next to Emily, looking uneasy.

Emma pulled out her phone and the business card, carefully dialing the number, double-checking it several times before finally calling.

“Put it on speaker,” Emily reminded her.

The phone rang a few times before a deep male voice picked up. “Hello, who’s this?”

Emma immediately put on her most polite tone. “Hello, Mr. Austin, this is Emma George. I met you yesterday—I got your business card—do you remember me?”

There was a pause. When Mr. Austin spoke again, his voice was colder. “It’s you again. What do you want now?”

Emma rushed to explain, stumbling over her words. “I—I just wanted to say, like I said before, Isabella isn’t your biological daughter. She’s my Emily’s child. Could you please let her meet me? Just once, that’s all I’m asking. I promise I won’t take much of your time.”

On the other end, Mr. Austin’s breathing grew heavier. Suddenly there was some static, as if he’d handed the phone to someone else.

Emily frowned, about to tell Emma to hang up, when Mrs. Austin’s voice came through, sharp and furious.

“What do you want from us? Why won’t you leave our family alone? Haven’t you done enough to hurt Isabella already? Are you trying to ruin her life, and ours too?”

Emma was stunned, completely thrown off by the barrage.

“No, that’s not—I didn’t—”

“I’m telling you right now, I will never give up on Isabella. Neither will her father. Stop trying to come between us—just stay away from our family!”

Emma’s face went pale.

Without another word, Emily reached over and ended the call.