Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 61

Logan rushed over and hurriedly helped Gillian up.

Gillian’s eyes were red. She looked pitifully at her brother and cousin. "I just wanted to apologize to her, and she pushed me. I don't even know what I did wrong."

Logan didn't doubt his sister's words; after all, Emma had been physically aggressive before.

His expression darkened as he carefully checked Gillian for injuries, shooting a reproachful glare in Emma's direction.

But Emma didn't even see it.

Sebastian stepped between them.

"Taking a little fall isn't a big deal. You take Gillian to the hospital, and I'll take Em to get some food."

With that, Sebastian opened the car door and motioned for Emma to get in.

The moment the door closed, Gillian yelled out in sheer frustration, "Sebastian, I'm the real daughter of the Lockwood family! I'm your actual cousin!"

Sebastian’s gaze turned somber. He walked around to the driver's side and shot Gillian a warning look.

"I have no interest in the Lockwood family drama. If it weren't out of respect for my aunt, I wouldn't have even made this trip."

He got into the car and started the engine. Under Gillian's shocked and disbelieving stare, he drove off with Emma.

In the car, Sebastian kept stealing glances at Emma.

She was so much thinner than before. Her frame was slight, her shoulder blades visibly prominent, and her once full cheeks had become sharp and defined.

"Don't blame Violet for not coming. After all, her accident happened here in Garrison City. She's terrified of this place."

Sebastian broke the silence, offering an explanation for his aunt's absence.

At the mention of the car accident, Emma's scattered thoughts focused slightly.

"That college—"

Before she could finish, Sebastian suddenly pulled over and bought a popsicle from a roadside stand.

"I remember you loved these when you were little. Every time you came to Garrison, you'd trail behind me like a shadow, begging me to buy you one."

Emma stared at the cold treat in her hand, caught off guard. A soft smile broke across her face as she tore open the wrapper and took a bite.

Sebastian watched her profile, a flash of heartache in his eyes.

In the past, Emma would eat her ice cream agonizingly slowly. In the summer, it would melt all over her hands before she could finish even half of it.

But now, she took decisive, steady bites. She looked composed, but she was eating with an ingrained efficiency.

"Em, you've suffered a lot out there these past few years, haven't you?"