Darla pushes the door slowly, worried she came at the wrong time. However, seeing Emily leisurely flipping through the magazine, Darla's stiff shoulders relax.

“Mrs Evans.” She greets with a small smile.

Emily hums, sparing Darla a glance before focusing back on her magazine.

Darla purses her lips, unsure how to continue. She settles by placing the fruit basket on the bedside drawer.

“Mrs Evans, I am here to apologize and explain everything.”

“Please do.” Emily simply replies.

Darla gathers courage to stand closer to the elegant woman despite wearing a hospital gown.

“Damien was not involved at all. The decision was all mine. I made the call to ruin the wedding.”

“And who do you think you are to have such a right?” Emily snaps.

Darla looks down. “I have no right to do such a thing. I am sorry.” She takes a deep breath. “Also,” She pauses, “I am not Damien's lover. We just knew each other.”

Emily raises a brow. “You are not his partner and yet you dared to interfere with his personal matters.”

“That's because I didn't want him to end up in a loveless marriage. Both Damien and Sophie were victims.”

Emily doesn't reply. Instead, she spends a good few seconds scanning Darla's face. The woman in front of her is beautiful, indeed.

“Then, I have a question. Answer me truthfully.”

Darla nods.

“Do you love Damien?”

Darla feels her breath stuck in her throat, her eyes widen slightly. “I-” She stammers. She sighs, shaking her head. “I am not sure if it's love. I just can't stand seeing him unhappy. He is my saviour, Mrs Evans. I would take a bullet for him.”

Emily frowns. “Saviour? What do you mean?”

Darla puts on a small smile, reminded of the dark side of her life from years ago. “It's a long story, Mrs Evans. He saved my life, and I vowed to stay loyal to him. As long as he needs me.”

Emily hums. Seems like the relationship between her grandson and this woman is quite … peculiar.

“There is a way for you to redeem your mistake.” Emily puts the magazine down.

Darla perks up, and that almost makes Emily chuckle.

“If you are loyal, I believe you know when the time has come for you to leave. Sometimes, loyalty doesn't mean staying.” Emily glances at Darla.

Darla is silent, discerning what Emily just said.

“If you understand what you should do, then good. You may leave now. I want to rest.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Damien takes a breath of relief. Emily is finally discharged from the hospital, now it's time to deal with Darla. 

Darla has been quiet since yesterday, without leaving a single text or missed call. This is unlike her, but Damien knows he's quite harsh with her yesterday.

He calls her, but there's no answer. He frowns. Darla has never ignored his call.

He rushes to her apartment, worried something is wrong.

When he arrives, the apartment seems normal - although all the lamps were turned off. He knocks on her bedroom door several times. “Darla, are you in there?”

No response. He's starting to think of the worst. He twists the knob and the door swings open, indicating it hasn't been locked.

“Darla?” He calls again, and just like earlier, there was no response.

He runs out of the bedroom and searches everywhere - bathroom, living room, dining hall, kitchen - Darla is nowhere to be seen. He curses. Where could she be?

Disoriented, Damien returns to the bedroom. In his haste, he didn't notice an envelope on the dressing table.

With trembling hands, he opens it. 

A resignation letter.