My Love for You Broke Me

Chapter 193

Emma’s lips curved into a smile. Subsequently, she spoke up happily, "I've wagered a bet with my brothers that if I manage to get you to invite them for a meal while I'm here, then they will have to give me fifty thousand each."

As soon as I heard that, I burst out laughing. "You guys are so childish!"

She revealed a pleased expression and she smiled while asking, "Guess how much money I've received this year?"

In fact, Emma was capable and knowledgeable enough to earn money; however, she was poorer than anyone else.

I made a guess by asking, "Did you get at least one million?"

She shook her head despondently. "It was less than half a million."

I smiled and asked, "Why is it so little?"

The children from rich families would always make a fortune every year during celebrations.

Emma was childish as she complained, "I couldn't be bothered to visit the relatives, so I merely received money from my parents and brothers. But then, Christopher's so stingy! I purposely opened up the envelope from him to check the amount that he gave and it was only five thousand inside. Renee, you've given me ten thousand too!"

I could not contain my laughter at that point. "When did you open up the envelope from me?"

She reached out and banged on the stack of envelopes. "The thickness of them are all different and I can tell by feeling it."

I suggested, "I've got some envelopes left in my bedroom. Do you want a couple more?"

"No, that would make me seem too greedy."

I narrowed my eyes and smiled while looking at her delicate little face. "Next time, I'll give you a bigger one then."

She excitedly shook the keys to her sports car and asked, "Would it be bigger than this one here?"

The frustration that I had experienced lately seemed to dissipate thanks to Emma's presence and I felt very relaxed and joyful being around her.

Emma placed the envelopes and car keys on the couch and continued to play games on her phone. Out of the blue, I received a text message from Christopher. "Hey little girl, I guess I won’t be heading back to Eldham. I’ll come over later."

I sent him my address before turning to Emma. "Christopher will pay a visit later on."

Emma gave me the side-eye and asked, "I thought he said that he’s busy?"

I explained, "He said he won’t be heading back to Eldham yet."

She responded with a grunt before continuing her game. As for me, I went back to the bedroom to rest as I was feeling slightly unwell.

Seeing how my body was heavily dragged back and forth yesterday, I knew I could not endanger my child anymore. I had to do all I could to protect my baby.

I could no longer approach Shawn without any regard for myself.

I lay in bed for half an hour before the confinement lady arrived, so I got up and prepared dinner together with her.

Besides the hotpot, I also prepared some foie gras and steamed fish—my signature dishes. Not only that, I also prepared some fresh strawberry juice and orange juice for everyone.

Just as I had finished preparing the meal, the doorbell outside suddenly rang and Emma rushed to open the door barefooted.

I stood at the entrance of the kitchen and saw Christopher entering with Merlin and the gang.

With a smile, I asked, "Did you guys come together?"

Merlin placed down the gifts in his hand and hugged Emma before replying, "We met downstairs."

Somehow, I noticed that Christopher's expression suddenly turned exceptionally cold.

Merlin released Emma from his hug and frowned while asking, "Why is it so dreary in here?"

My apartment was an open concept, hence, other than a bedroom and a study room, the rest of the two hundred square feet was entirely the living area.

Furthermore, the European style of furnishings made the whole place look rather empty and spacious.

James continued Merlin's sentence and said, "It's lucky that we've bought some decorative pieces for you."

I hurriedly rejected them. "The festivities are over, though."

"Then, keep it here so you can use it next year."

At that point, I was left speechless.

Emma took a seat back on the couch and she crossed her legs, even though she was still busy playing her games. James saw how she stepped onto the couch barefooted and decided to reprimand her, "Emmie, how could you be barefooted as a guest at someone else's house?"

Emma did not even bother to turn her head as she replied, "I'm not a guest at Renee's house."

James was about to say something else but I quickly interjected, "Let's start our meal."

As soon as James heard that, he took the hint and went into the kitchen to help to get everything ready. Once everyone had taken their seats at the dining table, I took out some bottles of beer for them. Emma insisted on drinking wine but I recalled that she had a poor tolerance for alcohol, so I quickly stopped her by saying, "You're underage."

Emma was obedient as she did not insist on having her way.

The men present, other than Christopher, were all loquacious as they had endless topics to talk about. Finally, Merlin directed the topic at me as he asked, "Darling, where's that Shawn of yours?"

Merlin was not too familiar with the details of everything happening between Shawn and me. As such, I considered it for a moment before brushing Merlin off, "He's quite busy in Finland."

Merlin noticed that I was hesitant to say more, so he did not ask any further and instead reminisced by mentioning, "When we first met each other, you were three years younger than Emma right now. I can't believe that you've grown up so quickly in a blink of an eye. All the hardships and difficulties you’ve gone through… And in another few months, you'll be a mother!"

My heart swelled as soon as I heard Merlin mention the word ‘mother’ as I looked forward to meeting my child soon.

I took a sip of juice and replied, "You should hurry up and build a family too."

However, Merlin shook his head and said, "I'm a celibatarian."

As soon as Emma, who was sitting by his side and eating some foie gras heard that, she burst his bubble by saying, "There is no such thing as a celibatarian. It's either because you haven't met someone you like or even if you have, the other party doesn't feel the same way about you!"

Meanwhile, James asked with an amused expression, "Emmie, are you saying that Merlin’s been spurned by someone?"

Merlin turned to Emma with a slightly threatening look. "I still have your fifty thousand here with me."

Instantly after that, Emma took a different approach and smiled sweetly while saying, "Merlin, you've got great qualities and high standards too, so how could you possibly be spurned by anyone, huh? If only I were older, I would chase after you too!"

At that moment, I burst out laughing while covering my mouth and I thought, Emma is so money-minded.

I glanced at Christopher, who was silent the entire time with a cold expression on his face, seated across me, after which I directed, "Have you had your fill?"