The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Chapter 2 Welcome Dinner

Sophia was totally showing off with that photo of her and Michael hugging. Emily stared at her phone for what felt like forever, her eyes practically burning holes into the screen. It was like she was torturing herself, constantly reminding herself that Michael didn't love her. The pain in her chest was all too real.

"Mrs. Smith, there's a call for you downstairs," Ava, the servant, knocked on the door, snapping Emily out of her trance. She quickly turned off her phone, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs. She didn't need to answer to know who was calling.

"Emily, you've got some nerve blocking me!" The rough, angry voice on the other end was loud enough to be heard without putting the phone on speaker.

"What's up?" Emily asked, her voice flat and emotionless as she stared at the sofa. She couldn't bring herself to feel anything for her real father, especially since he was a womanizer who had abandoned his wife.

The voice on the other end seemed taken aback by her cold tone. "You know your sister is back in the country, right? Come home tonight."

Emily couldn't help but laugh bitterly, feeling a bit nauseous, probably because of her pregnancy. She rubbed her stomach to ease the discomfort. "Sister? Last I checked, my mom only had me. Where did this 'sister' come from?" She thought of the photo Sophia had just sent her.

On the other end, Hayden Brown was clearly holding back his anger. "Emily, don't push your luck. Don't forget you're part of the Brown Family. And don't think I don't know where your mother is."

Emily's grip on the phone tightened. "What do you want? I'm warning you, don't mess with my mom, or you'll regret it."

Hayden knew exactly how to manipulate Emily, especially when it came to her sick mother.

"I should be the one warning you. Tonight is Sophia's welcome party. Whether you like it or not, you have to come." With that, he hung up.

phone. 'Fine, if they want to push me, I won't make

Sophia. She didn't want to acknowledge this half-sister, but she couldn't deny that

time she heard about her mom's suicide, it was too late. Now, they twisted she was the illegitimate child, and her mom, Isabella Taylor, was the mistress. All because of Sophia and

if he could go with her to the Brown

reached for her high heels but remembered her pregnancy

keep this child. No matter what happened between her

one else would love her,

up like a Christmas tree, and Emily could hear the laughter inside before she even stepped in.

clung to the old woman's arm, acting all cutesy. "You're

Doesn't Michael like

"I do," Michael replied.

on the doorknob. So, he hadn't missed her message or forgotten to reply; he just didn't want to come with her. She couldn't hear what they were saying anymore, just a buzzing in her head. Suddenly, the door swung open from the inside. "Miss Brown? Why aren't you coming in?"

out the trash, leaving Emily standing there, dazed. Her eyes met Michael's

you're here! We've all been waiting for you." Sophia looked

ignored her and walked straight to the end of the table, sitting down with a blank

waiting for you, and you show up late with such a bad attitude." Her grandmother, Amelia Martinez, was the first

up by something, right, Emily?" Sophia smiled sweetly at Emily. If Emily didn't know better, she might have thought Sophia

to eat? Let's get on with it. I have things to do afterward." Emily

is this how your mother raised you? No manners at all, not