When Blood Turns Cold

Emmy groaned as her alarm blared, quickly turning it off with a half-hearted promise of "just two more minutes." Those two minutes turned into ten, and by the time she finally got up and wandered into the living room, she realized Amy had already left. A quiet sigh escaped her lips. Amy had always been the social one, the kind of person who thrived on being out and about, never content to stay home.

As Emmy's eyes drifted around the room, they landed on the large box she'd meant to open for weeks. A sudden pang of guilt hit her as she hurried over to it. Her hands moved quickly, tearing through the tape, revealing a food cooker inside.

Tears welled in her eyes, and her chest tightened as the realization hit her. Her grandmother had mentioned wanting one, and of course, Amy—thoughtful, selfless Amy—had remembered and bought it for her. Emmy's heart broke a little at the gesture, and the weight of Amy's kindness made her feel both grateful and overwhelmed with sorrow.

Emmy carefully placed the food cooker on the kitchen shelf, its presence a quiet reminder of Amy's thoughtfulness. Pushing her emotions aside, she quickly prepared a simple breakfast and ate in silence before heading to the shower.

Half an hour later, Emmy was seated on the bus, gazing out the window as the city blurred past her. She fished out her compact mirror, dabbing powder onto her face with practiced precision before finishing with a quick swipe of lip gloss. It was a small routine, but it helped her feel ready to face the day, even with the lingering heaviness in her heart.

Emmy sighed, glancing at her wristwatch as she made her way toward the school premises. A familiar heaviness settled over her as the thought of the day ahead loomed. Her head already throbbed at the mere idea of dealing with the moms of those mischievous children, their endless chatter about complaints and excuses swirling in her mind.

She wished, not for the first time, that she had a quieter job—something far removed from the chaos of these silly people and their kids. A peaceful escape where she wouldn't have to plaster on a smile or feign patience. But instead, she straightened her posture and braced herself for the noise and drama awaiting her inside.

An hour later a mother excused Emmy as she held her son's hand and left the place with the report card. Emmy massaged her temple. Just as she was about to pick up her phone a cheerful voice sounded and she couldn't help but smile.

"Ms. Emerald!" Lisa's voice rang out as she bounded toward her teacher, practically dragging David along by the hand. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but David's stiff smile told another story. He regretted agreeing to this the moment he stepped onto the school grounds.

He hated being the center of attention, and now, with every step, curious glances and hushed whispers followed them. "Who is that fine young man?" "Isn't he the new CEO of Dawn Group?" "Wait, does he have a daughter?"

David's jaw tightened as the weight of their scrutiny pressed on him. He wasn't used to this kind of spotlight, and the murmurs only made him more uncomfortable. But Lisa's bright eyes and wide grin kept him moving forward, reminding him why he was here.

"Hi, Lisa," Emmy greeted warmly, her eyes shifting curiously to the man standing beside her. "I hope you've been a good girl, right?" she asked with a smile.

"I promise I have been!" Lisa replied proudly, her head held high.

"Ahem," David cleared his throat, drawing Emmy's attention. "I'm Lisa's uncle, and I'd like to see her exam report," he said, his tone firm but polite.

"Sure, here you go," Emmy said, handing the report card to David. His expression softened as a smile broke through, the sight of the A*s on the card filling him with quiet pride.

"I've been Lisa's teacher for quite some time now," Emmy added with a warm and encouraging tone, noticing his reaction. "And I can assure you, she has incredible potential. She's a bright and hardworking student."

David placed the report card back on the table and raised a brow. "I suppose you're the one who tutors her at home?" he asked, his tone curious yet polite.

Emmy nodded with a soft smile. "Yes, but it's more than just tutoring," she said, her voice warm as she began sharing moments that highlighted Lisa's brilliance. She talked about the thoughtful conversations they'd had, the clever remarks Lisa made after hearing stories, and the insightful questions she often asked that reflected her sharp mind.

As David listened, his stoic demeanor softened. A faint smile played on his lips, barely noticeable but deeply genuine. He couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude toward Emmy. It was clear to him that Lisa was more than just a student to her. Emmy had not only recognized Lisa's potential but nurtured it in a way no one else could. He was truly glad that his niece had someone so dedicated and understanding in her corner.

After they finished, David left with Lisa, her small hand clasped tightly in his, while her other hand held onto her report card as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Emmy watched them go, a faint smile tugging at her lips before she let out a soft sigh.

The rest of her day was a blur of conversations with a few more parents, each one draining her just a little more. By the time she called it a day, exhaustion had settled over her like a heavy blanket.

As Emmy sat on the bus ride home, her thoughts wandered to her recent call with Luke. The questions swirling in her mind refused to settle. Who was this man? And how had her life ended up here—working tirelessly instead of living the life of comfort and privilege she always imagined? Her parents had promised her the world, yet here she was, far from it, grappling with the choices that had led her down this unfamiliar path.

Lost in her swirling thoughts, Emmy hadn't even realized she'd reached her apartment door. Blinking back to the present, she fumbled with her keys and pushed the door open.

A soft chuckle escaped her as she took in the sight before her.