Even after my engagement was broken, the world didn’t end.
“Wow, she’s actually at school.”
“I’d be too embarrassed… I couldn’t possibly…”
The moment I walked into the classroom, a wave of murmurs spread through the air.
Honestly, I didn’t want to be here either.
But there was no war breaking out, no family tragedy. Night still gave way to day, and the morning came as it always did.
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
A friend had said this.
“That man was never worthy of you.”
My father had said this.
“Why don’t you take some time and rest at home?”
My mother had said this.
Every word was filled with care and kindness. Yet, at this moment, I wished they would leave me alone, just for a while. Their tenderness was too much to bear. With a heart twisted by the recent heartbreak, Emma Lavidge, daughter of an earl, thought to herself.
♢
Emma was the only daughter of the Lavidge family. From as far back as she could remember, she had always had a fiancé. Because he had been there from the start, she naturally believed that “that man” would be her lifelong companion and that they would manage the Lavidge estate together. As a child, she remembered thinking that being friendly to him was necessary because it made her parents happy to see them getting along.
Looking back now, it was clear that their relief stemmed from seeing Emma maintain a good relationship with her future husband (who would marry into the family), rather than any particular merits of “that man.” But as a child, Emma didn’t yet understand this nuance.
Perhaps that was where it all went wrong.
“That man” grew arrogant and, when adults were not around, began treating Emma as though she were beneath him.
“Hey, Emma. Don’t you think my clothes are looking a bit shabby lately?”
“Not particularly…”
“Don’t lie. I got laughed at during the tea party the other day. Do you think I’m just some poor earl? Do you look down on me because your family is wealthier? Our ranks are the same, aren’t they? Don’t act so superior just because you’re rich!”
His hand gripped her upper arm tightly—an improper gesture for a gentleman—enough to leave marks.
“Stop it, that hurts! I don’t think that, I swear!”
“Oh, my bad. I just want to dress appropriately for you, Emma. After all, you’re from the affluent Lavidge family. You understand, don’t you?”
Emma never thought to refuse “that man’s” requests. If he got upset, he would sometimes show a violent side like this, and, above all, she didn’t want to sadden her parents.
So, a few days later, Emma gifted him the clothes he wanted.
As a child, there were nights when Emma would wake up feeling lonely. She would sometimes sneak into her mother’s bedroom. Once, she overheard a conversation.
“Emma and her fiancé seem to be getting along well.”
“Yes, thank goodness. She’s our only child, after all.”
“I just hope she continues to grow up without any issues.”
It was her parents’ voices. Young Emma etched it into her heart that she must fulfill this engagement without fail. She couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing the parents who had raised her with such love and care.
♢
Time passed, and Emma turned 14.
“Emma Lavidge! I’m breaking off our engagement!”
The man’s voice echoed through the venue of the graduation party.
“You looked down on Baroness Muir and mistreated her. The thought of spending my life with someone as rotten as you disgusts me!”
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