Chapter 198: Chapter 198
Emily’s POV
"She’s just manipulating you!"
"You choose that whore over me? I’m your twin brother!"
"She’s not good enough for you, Matt! There are so many women in the world. Why settle for someone like her?"
"I shouldn’t have dragged you to this place! We should go back to Northern Territory."
"You choose to lose younger brother. Don’t call me again."
These were Mason’s bitter parting words from yesterday, and they still echoed in my mind. I tried to ignore them, but I couldn’t.
I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. I loved Matt, and the last thing I wanted was for him to lose someone he loved, just like I had.
If Matt lost his twin brother because he chose me, I would rather he left me, even if it would break my heart.
I walked to the bedroom doorway and looked at Matt’s pale face.
"You should leave my apartment once you’re better," I said, immediately regretting the words, but it was too late to take them back.
Matt slowly turned to look at me, his eyes filled with confusion and pain.
"Why?"
I bit my lip, fighting back tears. "Because I don’t want to be the reason you lose your family. Mason is right. You shouldn’t give up everything for me."
"Emily, what are you talking about?"
"Your brother hates me. Your father hates me. If you choose me, you’ll lose them. I’m not worth that sacrifice."
Matt tried to sit up, but winced as his wound caused him pain. "Emily, don’t listen to Mason. He doesn’t understand what’s between us."
"But he understands you, Matt. You’re twins. He knows what’s best for you."
I turned to leave, but Matt called after me.
"If you truly love me, don’t push me away because of what others say."
He was the only person who treated me like someone with feelings, someone worthy of love. Even after I told him about my past, he still cherished me. He made me feel loved. But I also knew that true love sometimes meant letting go.
"I need to go buy some things," I said, avoiding his gaze.
***
"Miss."
When the cashier called out to me, I blinked and took a deep breath. I apologized, picking up my purse to pay. I’d bought some food for Matt and myself, but my thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
I frowned, searching through my bag but couldn’t find my wallet. I realized I’d forgotten to grab it from my dresser and had deliberately left my phone behind.
I drew in a sharp breath, glancing at the line of people behind me. They were staring with annoyed, impatient expressions.
I looked at the cashier. "Um... I left my wallet at home."
"But ma’am, you need to pay for the groceries."
I bit my lower lip, about to speak when someone tossed a black card onto the counter. A tall man standing behind me spoke, "Use this to pay."
The cashier swallowed, slowly picking up the black card. Her cheeks flushed, and as I looked at the man behind me, I finally understood why.
Sharp eyes, thick eyebrows, a straight nose, and full lips. If he wasn’t showing his bastard side, everyone would be captivated by him...
I clenched my jaw, grabbed my shopping bags without thanking him, and headed straight for the escalator, feeling him following behind me.
"I’ll ask Matt for your bank details and transfer the money to you," I said without looking at him.
"I don’t need your money. I’ll even pay you if you promise to stop harassing my brother."
I turned to him angrily. "Mason, why do you keep trying to push me away from your brother?"
He clenched his jaw. "Can’t you see? You’re making him turn against his family—"
"I’m not making him do anything! It’s his decision."
"Because you’ve made him believe lies!"
I gritted my teeth and turned away again. I couldn’t believe I was arguing about this with him. He was so blind he couldn’t even hear his own brother’s words.
I reached the parking lot and put my groceries in the back seat. I opened the driver’s door, but Mason slammed it shut and pushed me against the car.
He stared at my face. His gaze moved from my eyes to my lips, then back to my eyes. For a moment, his expression changed oddly.
"I don’t know what my brother sees in you. I’ve been trying to figure it out, but I can’t."
I clenched my jaw. "You can’t see it because you’re not like your brother. You’re an asshole, and he’s not."
He laughed sarcastically and leaned closer. Suddenly, his hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. When I realized what he was about to do, I quickly placed my hands on his chest to push him away.
"Maybe I should experience it myself, see what charm you possess that has my brother so captivated."
"You’re disgusting," I sneered, pushing him hard. "You’re nothing like Matt."
Instead of backing away, he gripped my chin harder, trying to kiss me.
"Tell me... do you need another man? I can do it. I can fuck you better than my brother. Forget about him—Ah!"
In a rage, I headbutted him, feeling momentarily dizzy. Looking at him, I saw his lip was bleeding, and he was glaring at me furiously.
"Touch me again, and I promise you’ll end up worse than this," I warned.
I opened the car door to get in, but Mason grabbed my wrist and took my keys. He pushed me inside and then got in himself.
With no choice, I moved to the passenger seat, about to open the door when he locked the car.
He looked at me furiously. "I’m going to torture you until you give in and leave my brother alone."
My eyes widened when he started driving in the opposite direction of my apartment building.
"Mason!" I screamed, but he ignored me.
"Where are you taking me?" I snarled at him.
He glanced at me and smirked. "To hell."
I clenched my fists and grabbed his steering wheel. He pushed me back to the passenger seat, but I didn’t give up. We continued fighting over the steering wheel until I heard a loud honk and saw a car in front of us.
I panicked and froze, but Mason tried to control the car, and we ended up crashing into a large tree on the side of the road.
My vision blurred, the world spinning as my body went numb. I heard someone calling my name, but I gradually lost consciousness. However, just before darkness completely took over, I felt someone lifting me out of the car.
Whether it was Mason who saved me or someone else, I didn’t know. All I could think about was my fate. Perhaps it was time to stop fighting for this meaningless life.
