Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 244

"I'll go check on him."

Emma practically fled the room. Once she was gone, a triumphant, satisfied smile spread across Carter's face.

Downstairs, Tristan was glaring at the housekeeper. Emma frowned. "What do you want?"

"I came to say thank you."

Tristan's injuries had mostly healed, though a bandage was still wrapped around his forehead.

Emma waved a hand dismissively. "You should be thanking the doctors and Logan. It has nothing to do with me. I didn't save you."

She drew a clear line in the sand. His rescue had absolutely nothing to do with her.

"Emma, I..." Tristan's lips parted, and after a long pause, he continued, "Travis Reynolds only saved me because of you, didn't he?"

"You'll have to ask him that. Whatever his reasons, he's the one you need to thank."

Emma sank into the sofa as the housekeeper promptly served her a cup of coffee.

Tristan stared at the mug for a moment. "You have a bad stomach. You should probably cut back on the caffeine."

"Was there something else you needed?"

Emma tilted her head, her meaning crystal clear. Leave.

Tristan pressed his lips together. "I heard Gillian caused a lot of trouble at your exhibition. I wanted to apologize on her behalf."

"No need. She didn't ruin anything."

Emma hadn't taken the gallery incident to heart. She had gotten the breach of contract payout, the exhibition was a massive success, and she had managed to infuriate Gillian in the process. All in all, she was pretty satisfied.

Tristan looked away, adding, "Could you come back to the manor for a visit? Mom is really sick."

Emma furrowed her brows. Was she still not recovered?

"If she's sick, take her to the hospital. If that's too inconvenient, I can arrange for a doctor to do a house call."

Emma wasn't about to let herself be manipulated by guilt anymore.

The Lockwoods meant nothing to her now.

Regardless of what the truth behind her past turned out to be, everything the family had put her through was enough to freeze her heart completely.

"She just wants to see you. Don't be so heartless. You can hate the rest of us, but you shouldn't be so cold to Mom."

Tristan frowned. Ever since Violet caught that cold, she hadn't recovered. She spiked a fever every few days and constantly mumbled Emma's name.

She lowered her eyes, hiding her internal conflict.

Carter walked over and gently pushed open the window behind her.

"Seventeen years of emotional ties don't just vanish overnight. You're not weak for caring; you're just grateful for the good parts."

He comforted her. He had been standing near the door and had overheard pieces of the conversation.

"Besides, there's no need to burn every bridge with them right now. If you push them too far, it'll make investigating your past that much harder."

That piece of logic grounded her. She nodded. "I'll need you to come with me tonight. Sorry for the trouble."

"It's my duty as your husband."

A spark of hidden joy lit up Carter's eyes. Emma wanted him there. Didn't that mean she was finally getting used to having him by her side?

He pursed his lips, stealing a careful glance at her. He knew his methods were somewhat underhanded.

Emma had suffered through six years of emotional neglect. Thanks to the Lockwoods, she had grown utterly disillusioned with family, love, and friendship. He had taken advantage of that void, quietly slipping in to fulfill her subconscious need for connection.

And she hadn't even realized it yet.

"Tonight, find a way to make sure Percy shows up at the manor too."