The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 52: The inner battle

Chapter 52: The inner battle

Emma walked in the rain to reach the hospital. The cold raindrops slid down her cheeks, mixing with her silent tears.

She blinked at the dark screen, struggling to process what had just happened.

Dead?

Dead body?

Those were the first things that came out of Darla Adams’ mouth. Not relief. Not gratitude. Not even basic human concern.

Emma clutched the paper bag tighter against her chest, her heart aching for Jean... not just because of what had happened on the yacht, but because of the life Jean had been forced to live long before this nightmare even started.

She had known Jean’s parents were cold. She had known they controlled her every move under the guise of "family duty" and "expectations."

But this... this level of cruelty, of pure indifference... It shook her to the core.

Why?

Why does Jean let them treat her like this? Why can’t she fight back?

Emma wiped at her face roughly and resumed walking toward the hospital. She didn’t have answers.

Not yet.

But she was more determined than ever now. Jean needed a real family... the kind who actually gave a damn whether she lived or died.

And if Jean’s so-called parents wouldn’t protect her...

Then she would.

No matter what it took.

Emma wiped her cheeks with the sleeve of her coat before stepping through the hospital doors. The warm air hit her, but it did nothing to thaw the cold ache in her chest.

She walked down the quiet hallway, clutching the soup bag tightly, trying to steady her breathing. Jean can’t see me like this, she thought. She already has too much on her shoulders.

At Jean’s room, she paused for a moment. Took a deep breath. Put on a smile... a small, shaky one, but a smile nonetheless.

She knocked lightly and pushed the door open. Jean was sitting up in bed, staring blankly at the television that wasn’t even on.

When she saw Emma, her expression softened just a little. "Hey," Jean whispered, her voice rough.

She grabbed the TV remote and turned it on. Emma lifted the soup bag. "I brought you something warm. You need to eat a little."

Jean nodded silently, her eyes dropping to the blanket. Emma crossed the room, setting the bag down carefully. She poured the soup into a bowl, acting casual, as if everything was normal.

But inside, her heart was breaking all over again.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to tell Jean she deserved so much more... love, protection, not this cruel excuse of family.

Instead, she pulled up a chair beside the bed, placed the bowl on the tray, and smiled again. "Gotta keep your strength up, boss. We’ve got a long road ahead," she said softly.

Jean gave a faint smile back. "Thanks, Em."

Emma just nodded, keeping her head down as she spooned the warm soup toward her. I’ll stand by you, Emma promised silently. Even if no one else will.

Jean shifted slightly on the hospital bed, scooting over to make a little space. She patted the empty spot beside her.

Emma hesitated, then sat down carefully, both of them facing the TV... though neither one really watched it. The silence stretched between them, quiet but heavy.

After a moment, Jean spoke, her voice low and a little rough. "Did you call back home?"

Emma wasn’t prepared for the question. She stiffened slightly but nodded anyway.

Jean caught it immediately. She smiled, but there was no humor in it... only sadness. "You don’t have to lie to me, Emma. I know them... and I know how they are with you too."

She nudged Emma lightly with her elbow. "Come on, tell me. From the beginning. From when I was... lost. What did they say?"

Emma stared at her hands for a long moment. Her throat felt tight again. Finally, she answered, voice small. "They said they were... relieved. They said they’re waiting for your arrival."

Jean gave a dry chuckle, the sound brittle and broken. She leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes for a moment. "Relieved, huh?" she murmured. "You’re such a liar."

Emma looked at her, wanting to reach out but not knowing how. Jean opened her eyes again, staring up at the ceiling.

"They’re probably just relieved the embarrassment is over," Jean said quietly. "Not because they missed me... but because they don’t have to explain my absence anymore."

Emma stayed silent, letting Jean talk... letting her finally let it out.

Jean turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting Emma’s. "You’re the only one who ever came for me, Em. Always have been."

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a little smile. "And I always will," she said.

Jean didn’t say anything more after that. She just leaned her head gently on Emma’s shoulder.

After a few moments...

Jean was sitting up in bed, absentmindedly staring out the window when Emma entered the hospital room again with two cups of coffee in her hands. She placed one on the side table and sat down quietly.

"I called Mr. Brooks," Emma said after a beat. "He agreed to come. He’s already on his way to South Korea—should land in a few hours."

Jean nodded slowly, processing the information. "Good. We’ll need him."

Emma hesitated. "Should I inform Logan’s team too?"

Jean looked at her, her voice calm but determined. "Yes. Set up a meeting for this evening. Somewhere quiet, maybe that restaurant near the hospital."

Emma blinked. "You’re sure?"

Jean sighed, leaning back into the pillows. "We need to convince Logan not to go public with this Junho scandal. If he does... I’ll be in the middle of it too. And I can’t afford that kind of spotlight right now."

Emma nodded, already pulling out her phone. "I’ll make the call."

Jean closed her eyes briefly. "Let’s try to fix this before it explodes."

_______________________________

The private room in the upscale restaurant was quiet, except for the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional murmured conversation outside. Jean sat composed, a calm expression on her face that didn’t reflect the pressure boiling beneath the surface.

Emma sat beside her, silently supportive. Their lawyer, Mr. Brooks, flipped open his notes, already prepared.

Logan arrived with Henry and his attorney, Mr. Yoon. His eyes briefly met Jean’s before he looked away, jaw tight.

Now how to convince this thick headed brute?

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