That Woman, Emma.

Victor

The subtle hint of panic on Emma's face was strangely satisfying to me – I won't deny it. It's not often that she's caught off guard, but seeing her taken aback by my presence here at Julienne brought a smirk to my lips. After all, despite being owned by my brother, Julienne is one of the most prestigious and well-known restaurants in New York – naturally, I would frequent such establishments.

Yet, a part of me couldn't help but wonder if Emma's reaction was genuine. Did she truly not expect to see me here, or was this all part of some elaborate scheme? Perhaps she deliberately sought out a job as a waitress here, knowing full well of my connections, as some sort of ploy to get closer to me again through my brother. It wouldn't be unlike her to strategize in such a manner. Or maybe I'm simply reading too much into it, allowing my imagination to run wild with suspicions.

Emma's appearance dredged up memories I'd rather forget – memories of betrayal and heartache that still linger like a bitter aftertaste. She bears the weight of my shattered marriage in her innocent facade, a facade that once deceived me into trusting her. The tears I witnessed in Ivy's eyes when she tried to warn me about Emma's true intentions come flooding back, a stark reminder of the pain she caused.

There's a palpable animosity within me, a simmering hatred that I struggle to contain. Emma's mere presence ignites a fury within me, a rage born from the wreckage of a broken trust. She may appear harmless, but I know better than to be fooled by her facade again. She played me once before, and I refuse to let history repeat itself.

Trusting her is not an option, not when her face serves as a constant reminder of the havoc she wreaked upon my life. The innocence she exudes is nothing more than a mask, concealing the treachery that lies beneath. I despise her with every fiber of my being, consumed by a hatred that refuses to be extinguished.

Jasper scrutinized both of our expressions, his brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to place Emma's face. It was evident that he had encountered her before, but the details seemed to elude him. My seething anger and Emma's visibly trembling demeanor seemed to connect the dots for him, though Emma remained speechless, her mouth opening and closing in silent distress.

Her pallor was ashen, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, and it was clear that fear had gripped her tightly. And rightly so – she had reason to be afraid, given the intensity of my glare and the tension that crackled between us. Jasper, sensing the escalating tension, attempted to diffuse the situation with a polite intervention.

"Um, excuse me," he addressed Emma with a forced politeness that grated on my nerves, "we're not quite ready to order yet. We'll let you know when we're ready."

His words were a thinly veiled attempt to redirect Emma's attention and quell the brewing conflict, but I couldn't shake the seething rage that pulsed through me at the sight of her.

Emma didn't need to be told twice. She swiftly nodded and darted back inside, her movements reminiscent of a frightened mouse scurrying away. Jasper, visibly taken aback by the abrupt departure, couldn't help but voice his incredulity.

"Damn, was she...?" he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to articulate his thoughts. But he didn't need to finish his question; the incredulous look in his eyes spoke volumes. I met his gaze with a silent nod, confirming that Emma was indeed the last person I wanted to encounter.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, clearly perturbed by the unexpected turn of events. "What is she doing here? Does Justin know who he hired?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and concern. I merely shrugged in response, opting to down the glass of water in one gulp to quell the rising turmoil within me.