The Art of Wealth: I Became a Billionaire
Chapter 48: Memory Lane

Chapter 48: Memory Lane

The bell rang at Windsor High School. Students poured out of their classrooms, chatting, laughing, slamming lockers.

Emma stepped out of Room 304, books clutched to her chest, her dark brown curls bouncing slightly as she moved. Beside her was Catherine, her best friend. "I’m just saying," Catherine said, "if we start the project now, we won’t be rushed when the deadline sneaks up."

Emma nodded, distracted. "You’re right. I just haven’t really thought about it, you know?"

"You’ve been a little... spacey lately," Catherine said, narrowing her eyes with fake suspicion. "Is something going on you’re not telling me?"

Emma gave a small smile. "Nothing serious. Just tired."

They stepped into the open school courtyard. The early evening sun was soft and golden, and students scattered in different directions, some heading to the bus stop, others to the parking lot.

Then Catherine suddenly stopped walking. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Emma... that woman... do you see her?"

Emma blinked, confused. "What woman?"

Catherine leaned closer. "Right there. Across the street. The one in the long gray coat. She’s looking at you."

Emma turned slightly, not wanting to make it obvious. And there she was.

A woman, maybe in her late 40s or early 50s, standing on the other side of the road, half-hidden under the shade of a tree. Her eyes were fixed directly on Emma, like she was watching her every move.

"I’ve seen her before," Catherine muttered. "I swear. She’s been hanging around. Like, not every day. But often enough to notice."

Emma’s stomach twisted a little. "You sure?"

Catherine nodded. "Positive."

Emma glanced at the woman again, this time more subtly. But the woman didn’t look away. She just stood there, quiet.

"I don’t know her," Emma said slowly. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen her."

They both stood in silence for a moment, unsure of what to make of it.

Then Catherine checked the time. "I’ve gotta run. Mom’s picking me up."

Emma nodded. "Okay. Talk later?"

"Of course. Be safe, Em."

And with that, Catherine jogged off, casting one last glance at the woman before disappearing into the parking lot.

But the woman was still there... Still watching.

Emma didn’t want to make a scene. But something about the woman’s presence made her uneasy. So, without making it obvious, she walked slowly toward the side of the school building and took the longer route toward the back, thinking maybe she could circle around and leave unnoticed.

But just as she rounded the corner, she turned. Then suddenly...

"How may I help you, ma’am?"

It was Emma.

She had doubled back and appeared right behind the woman. The woman spun around in shock, nearly stumbling backward.

"Oh my God! I... I didn’t hear you come up behind me," she stammered, clearly startled.

Emma stood calmly, her expression unreadable now. "You were staring at me. I thought maybe I’d done something wrong."

The woman’s face flushed. She fumbled for words. "Oh... oh no. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I..I just..."

She paused, looking away.

Then she added softly, "I like watching high school girls... I mean, not in a weird way. I...I lost my daughter. Years ago. She would have been your age by now."

Emma’s expression softened instantly. "I’m so sorry," she said gently. "That must have been... really hard."

The woman waved her hand like she didn’t want to talk about it. "It was a long time ago. But sometimes, I just... I come here. I guess it helps me remember her. Or maybe it helps me forget her. I don’t even know."

Emma nodded slowly. "I understand. I’ve had things happen too... things I don’t like to remember."

And just then... It hit her.

A sudden tightness in her chest.

She took a shallow breath. Another... nothing. Her eyes widened. Her throat clenched. Then came the sound, wheezing. Harsh.

Her body tensed, one hand clutching her chest.

The woman’s eyes grew wide with panic. "Are you.. Oh my God.. are you okay?"

Emma tried to speak but couldn’t. Her breathing was raspy now, each gasp more desperate than the last. Her backpack fell to the ground as she reached into her pocket, fingers trembling.

She found it.

The inhaler.

She shook it quickly, put it to her mouth, and pressed down hard.

One breath.

Two.

Three.

Slowly... slowly... the wheezing began to calm. Her chest loosened. Her lungs filled again.

She leaned against the wall, blinking back tears.

The woman was still beside her, clearly shaken. "Oh dear, you scared me. That was... are you okay?"

Emma nodded weakly. "Yes. I’m okay. I’m... I’m sorry. It happens sometimes."

The woman looked at her, concern etched into every line on her face. "You have asthma?"

"Yes," Emma whispered. Her voice was hoarse now. "It’s manageable. Usually. I just forgot to take my meds this morning."

The woman hesitated. "When was the last time you saw a doctor about it?"

Emma tensed. She looked down, then back at the woman. "I have to go," she said, cutting her off, suddenly cold.

The woman blinked. "I didn’t mean to..."

"I just have to go. I’m sorry," Emma said quickly. She picked up her bag and turned away, walking fast, almost running.

*****

When Emma got home, the familiar creak of the front door felt oddly comforting. The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.

As she stepped in, the soft clicking of a keyboard reached her ears. She turned toward the dining table, and there he was.

Alex.

Her older brother. Still in his hoodie and sweatpants, hunched over his laptop, surrounded by a mess of documents, sticky notes, and open books. He didn’t even notice her come in. His brows were focused on the screen.

Emma dropped her bag by the door and walked toward him, quietly.

"Hey," she said with a small smile. "You’re home early today."

Alex didn’t look up. "Didn’t go anywhere."

Emma blinked. "Wait, what? Why not?"

Finally, Alex leaned back in his chair, stretched his arms, and sighed. "I’ve got a lot to work on. Remember the opportunity I told you about? The one with Raymond?"

Emma nodded.

He continued, "He said if I could come up with something original, he’d bring me onto his team. That’s huge, Em. We’re talking real money here."

Emma’s eyes widened. "Wow... that’s a huge deal. Like... very big."

Alex gave a tired smile. "Yeah. This could change everything for us. I can’t mess it up."

Emma stepped closer, looking at the sketches on the table, diagrams, digital design layouts, many things she didn’t understand. "This is amazing, Alex. I know you’ll do great. I mean, that brilliant brain of yours..." she nudged him gently, "come on, I believe in you."

Alex chuckled. "Thanks, nerd."

She smiled but didn’t respond. A part of her wanted to tell him about what happened earlier—the asthma attack—but seeing how serious he looked, how deep he was into his work... she decided to let it go... For now.

Instead, she walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water.

Alex glanced up again. "How was school?"

Emma sipped her water, then leaned against the counter. "School’s school. Nothing new. Though... something strange happened today."

Alex raised a brow. "Strange how?"

Emma hesitated. "There was this woman. She was... watching me. Just standing across the street from school."

Alex straightened. "Did she follow you?"

"No, not exactly," Emma said. "But she wasn’t just watching the school. She was looking at me. Catherine saw her first. Said she’s noticed her around a few times."

That got Alex’s attention. "What did she look like?"

"Mid to late 40s maybe. Wore a gray coat. Long face. Sad eyes. Something about her was just... off."

Alex looked concerned now. "What did she want?"

Emma lowered her voice. "I approached her. I didn’t want to, but something told me I had to. She said her daughter would be around my age... but she lost her."

Alex’s expression shifted, part surprise, part discomfort. "Lost her how?"

"She didn’t say. Just said she liked looking at high school girls because it reminds her of her daughter. Said it’s been a long time, but she still can’t forget."

Alex leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "That’s... rough. Sounds like someone who never got closure. Grief can twist people."

Emma nodded slowly. "She didn’t seem dangerous. Just... broken. Empty."

Alex’s jaw tightened slightly. Then he said, almost to himself, "Some people are too unfortunate to lose theirs... while others just leave theirs behind on purpose."

Emma tilted her head. "Wait... what did you say?"

He said flatly, "It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with."