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.

gripped the phone. 'Fine, if they want to push me, I won't make it easy for them

anxiety wasn't just because of her pregnancy; it was also because of Sophia. She didn't want to acknowledge this half-sister, but she couldn't deny that Sophia

a month. They used her absence to target her mother. By the 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 Family. After a while, she saw that Michael hadn't replied. She expected it, but it still hurt a

for her high

keep this child. No matter what happened between

Isabella, no one else would love her, and she

tree, and Emily could hear the laughter inside before she even stepped in. "Sophia, you're not leaving again this time, right?" That unmistakable sharp voice

abroad." Sophia clung to the old woman's arm, acting all cutesy. "You're still act like a child." Hayden shook his head with a smile, looking at Sophia like she was the best thing since sliced

Doesn't Michael like it?" Sophia playfully

"I do," Michael replied.

didn't want to come with her. She couldn't hear what they were saying anymore, just

hurried out to take out the trash, leaving Emily standing there, dazed. Her eyes met Michael's across the room, and she saw the coldness in his gaze. She quickly

We've all been waiting for you." Sophia

walked straight to the end

of attitude is that? We've all been waiting for you, and you show up late with such a bad attitude." Her grandmother, Amelia Martinez, was the first to speak, as sharp-tongued

Emily?" Sophia smiled sweetly at Emily. If Emily didn't know better, she might have thought Sophia was genuinely trying to

Let's get on with it. I have things to do afterward." Emily directed her words

held back because Michael was there. "Emily, is this how your mother raised you? No manners at