Chapter 5: Leaving the Mansion
An hour later, guests quietly departed.
The mansion that had once represented status and success now felt empty.
Margaret approached Emma near the entrance.
For the first time, there was no anger in her expression.
Only regret.
"I should have listened."
Emma looked at her.
"Yes."
Margaret lowered her eyes.
"I thought protecting my son meant defending him."
Emma nodded.
"A lot of people confuse those two things."
The older woman said nothing more.
Outside, a black car waited.
Emma picked up her coat.
Daniel stood across the foyer.
His confidence was gone.
His voice sounded smaller than she had ever heard it.
"Emma."
She stopped.
"I did love you."
Emma considered his words carefully.
Then she smiled sadly.
"I believe you."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Then why leave?"
Emma opened the front door.
"Because love without respect isn't enough."
May you like
She stepped outside.
This time, Daniel had no response.
