Chapter 24: The Unwanted Gift

Chapter 24: The Unwanted Gift

"Over the next couple of days, my schedule is packed. I'll try to make it, but if I can't, I might not make it to your birthday party!" Jessica placed two gift boxes in front of Emily. "Happy Birthday, fairy!"

Emily smiled faintly. "We've known each other for so long; we don't need to worry about such formalities."

With that, she unwrapped the gifts without hesitation. Jessica had given her a limited edition lipstick set from brand D, a total of 128 shades. This limited edition set usually sells out instantly, so the stylist must have secured it through some insider channel.

The other box contained a pair of new high-heeled shoes from her favorite brand, in a color and height that perfectly matched her taste.

Emily caressed the exquisite gift boxes, feeling a pang of emotion.

Really, weren't her friends thoughtful?

What was Ethan even good for? Besides causing her stress and ruining her health, what was the point?

"How about we have a small gathering the day after tomorrow? We can find a venue, invite a few more people. Your birthday party is a family affair, and we won't have much fun…"

Jessica's tone shifted. "Will your husband be accompanying you this year?"

"I don't have a husband." Emily replied coldly. "I'm just a widow."

Jessica: "…"

"What's wrong?" Jessica glanced at Emily's expression, tentatively asking, "Did you have an argument?"

"There's nothing to argue about." Emily remained calm. "What's there to argue about when we're getting divorced?"

Jessica hummed thoughtfully, nodding. "Sounds like it's been pretty heated."

Emily: "…"

Emily frowned, letting out a barely perceptible sigh. "I don't want to talk about it."

Just thinking about it was distressing.

Ethan, that idiot Ethan, didn't just insult her intelligence and beauty; he ultimately insulted her talent.

Emily didn't deny that she enjoyed flying to Paris to buy dresses and that maxing out her credit card at malls was commonplace. But photography was the one thing she genuinely loved and had persisted with. It was her only source of accomplishment and self-worth, apart from being a "socialite," "daughter of XX," or "wife of XX"—the only identifier that truly belonged to her.

And he had dismissed it all with a few casual words.

Absolutely unforgivable!

Her phone rang, and Emily glanced at the caller ID. "Dad."

She had been closer to her mother, and after her mother's death, her father remarried within two years. Since it was her father who arranged the marriage, Emily harbored some resentment, and there was a barrier between them.

Emily responded with disinterest, "Okay, I'll come back tomorrow afternoon."

Her father said something on the other end of the line, and Emily frowned.

"Probably not possible. Ethan has been on a business trip these days."

—And unfortunately, there was an aviation accident. :)

She said, "We'll see," and hung up the phone.

After ending the call, Emily thought for a moment and asked Jessica, "Did Ethan usually come with me to my family's birthday party in previous years?"

"Yes." Jessica nodded. "After you two got married, your birthday party became a big family event."

Ethan's wife's birthday meant watching the billionaire flaunt his wealth and witnessing a large-scale gathering of business elites.

Jessica pointed to Emily's earrings. "These blue diamonds were his gift to you last year."

Emily stared in surprise, having no recollection of them.

She grimaced, quickly removing the earrings and tossing them aside as if they were contaminated.

"Let's put them in the studio. We'll use them for styling."

Jessica: "…"

Sorry, our studio doesn't have the habit of using eight-figure earrings for styling. :)

**

On the afternoon of her birthday, Emily arrived at her birthday party.

She felt no joy at all.

Although she couldn't remember how her birthday parties had been in past years, Jessica said that now her birthday parties were as grand as a New Year's Eve feast. Did this mean the aunts and uncles would gather and conduct the same soul-searching questions as during New Year?

Sure enough, no sooner had she settled in than someone asked:

"Where's your husband? Why isn't he with you?"

"Yeah, where's Ethan? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Ethan used to come with you to your birthday party. Why isn't he here today?"

…

Emily pressed her lips together, closing her almond-shaped eyes briefly. She looked up, turning her gaze back to the persistent questioners.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, uncles and aunts," Emily smiled sweetly. "I thought today you were all here to celebrate my birthday."

"Ethan has been particularly busy these days and couldn't make it. I don't want to waste your time here…"

Emily sincerely suggested, "Why don't you all go home for now?"

The crowd: "…"

"Oh, you're just joking again, haha… We came here to celebrate your birthday, didn't we? Come on, Emily, look at this necklace. It's from your third uncle who brought it back from Europe last month!"

…

William watched his daughter from the back, silent. After a while, he quietly pulled Emily aside.

"Did you and Ethan have a fight?"

Emily shook her head. "No."

William: "Oh…"

Before he could finish his "oh," Emily continued, "I wanted to let you know that I'm preparing to divorce Ethan."

William: "!"

William struggled to catch his breath, "Why?"

He glanced around at his daughter, "Has he been treating you poorly? Did he do something to hurt you?"

Emily gave her father a blank look but said nothing. When has Ethan ever been good to her?

Just as she was about to speak, someone in the front hall called out, "Ethan's here!"

Emily turned to see the man stepping out of the car.

He handed the documents he was holding to Jason behind him and took a beautifully wrapped large cake box, striding inside with his long coat fluttering behind him.

Ethan walked straight over, exchanged brief greetings with William, and then turned his gaze to Emily, who hadn't spared him a single glance until now.

The man paused for two seconds.

"Happy Birthday."

Emily coldly replied, still not looking at him, "Who told you to come?"

"Emily," Ethan called softly, "I'd like to talk to you."

Emily didn't bother with him. She turned away with a wooden expression.

As she began to walk, Ethan grabbed her arm.

"Let go."

Ethan released her, stepping in front of her.

"What I said in the office that day," he lowered his gaze, looking deeply at her, "I take it back."

Emily laughed lightly. "You take it back?"

"Are you a dragon?" Emily asked mockingly. "Can your mouth retract things?"

Ethan: "…"

Where did she learn to retort like this?

Seeing Emily about to leave again, Ethan grabbed her wrist. He looked at her, his dark eyes seemingly clouded with something.

"Actually, that day…" the man's throat moved slightly, "I was…"

Before he could finish, someone came over to usher them away.

With the arrival of the main guest, the second round of soul-searching questions began.

"It's another year already, Emily. Do you and Ethan have any plans this year?"

Emily: "…"

Here it comes again.

No matter what kind of family, when the appropriate age for marriage arrives, the unmarried are pressured to marry, and the married are pressed to have children.

Emily lowered her gaze, spooning a bite of creamy mousse.

"It's better to have children earlier; recovery is quicker."

Emily was about to say, "Oh, but I don't want to," when she heard the man beside her speak, "We're not in a hurry."

He glanced at her, "Emily is still young. There's no rush."

Emily silently tugged at the corners of her lips, giving no response.

"Not in a hurry," my foot.

When I'm gone, you can have all the time you want.

Emily's youngest cousin suddenly ran over, grabbing her hand and shaking it.

"Sister, sister, do you like the flowers I gave you?" She glanced at Ethan beside her and smiled, "What did brother-in-law get for you?"

Everyone looked at Ethan.

Here it comes, the annual showcase of the billionaire's extravagant gift to his little wife!

Ethan, however, disappointed everyone.

"My gift hasn't arrived yet." He checked his watch. "It should be here soon."

Emily ignored his comment, remaining expressionless.

She guessed Ethan hadn't prepared any gift. Given their current situation, he probably wouldn't spend money on her.

But even if he did have something to give, Emily wouldn't accept it.

As she pondered, the man answered a phone call. He said a few "hmms" and then hung up.

He turned to Emily, "Your gift has arrived. Shall we go to the front yard to see it?"

Emily glanced at him and remained still.

But others were eager, urging the birthday girl, "Let's go! Let's go!"

"What's the precious gift? Show us, don't hide it!"

Emily: "…"

Emily looked at Ethan, meeting his deep eyes. The man wasn't pressing her but was clearly waiting for something.

Emily set down her plate and walked out.

Ethan's expression relaxed for a moment, and he followed her.

The Clarke Family residence was a traditional Chinese mansion in the inner ring, not as luxurious as the Zhaixing Pavilion, but covering three acres, with a beautiful garden in the front yard.

The group stood in the garden's twilight for a

while.

The sound of a horn suddenly came from outside, and a luxurious black car pulled into the garden's driveway.

In the blink of an eye, the car stopped, and the trunk popped open.

A person emerged from the trunk, his clothing looking like a professional courier.

He walked up, holding a small box and saying to Ethan, "Sir, your gift."

Everyone's eyes widened. They saw Ethan take the gift and motion for the man to leave.

Curiosity buzzed through the crowd as Emily slowly approached Ethan.

She gazed at the gift box, and Ethan opened it. He carefully took out a velvet jewelry box, as if afraid of damaging it.

Everyone leaned in.

Emily finally spoke, "What's inside?"

Ethan opened the jewelry box, revealing a diamond necklace that sparkled with a dazzling light. The diamonds were so large they almost seemed like a handful of stars.

"Surprised?"

Ethan's voice was low, his face full of sincerity as he placed the necklace around Emily's neck. He smiled warmly, "Happy Birthday."

The whole crowd was stunned.

Emily stared at Ethan, then at the necklace, and finally at her reflection in a nearby mirror.

Her fingers touched the necklace, still in shock.

She looked back at Ethan, searching his eyes for the truth. Ethan seemed genuinely sincere. His eyes were warm and gentle, devoid of the usual sharpness.

Emily was unsure whether to feel touched or insulted.

Suddenly, the lights in the garden dimmed, and fireworks burst in the sky.

Emily looked up in disbelief, her eyes wide.

Ethan approached her, holding her hand, "Happy Birthday, Emily."

**

The fireworks lit up the entire garden. The vivid, bright colors reflected in Emily's eyes as she turned to Ethan.

She blinked, her eyes moistening. She finally smiled and said softly, "Thank you."