The CEO's Empathy Pregnancy Pains

Emily pushed the door open just as Hayden was about to leave. She paused and

stepped aside to let him pass.

"Heading out already?" she asked.

Hayden, seeing Emily, took a couple of deep breaths and sat back down on the couch. "Why would I leave when I just got to see you here?"

In other words, he wasn't going anywhere until they had a proper conversation.

Emily knew Hayden was here to stand up for Sophia. Either to ask her to go easy on Sophia or to persuade Michael to do so. His sense of family loyalty had never once tilted in her favor.

Despite this, Emily walked forward in her high heels, poured Hayden another glass of water, and replaced the coffee on the table.

"I know you don't like coffee. All I have is water, so you'll have to make do."

Emily didn't want to repay Hayden's hostility with kindness; but after losing the lawsuit and Brown Corporation, Hayden barely kept a small company afloat, and with two troublesome women at home, he seemed to have aged ten years overnight.

A daughter's love for her father was instinctive. Emily couldn't be as heartless as Hayden.

She pulled up a chair and sat across from him. She was now comfortable in her high heels, even with a baby on the way. Quick movements were no problem for her.

Hayden noticed Emily's confident and commanding presence, a stark contrast to the Emily who used to be easily pushed around. She now worked at a prestigious jewelry company, surrounded by colleagues, including foreigners, with a large office and an assistant.

This wasn't achieved through some small-time scheme like Sophia's, and Emily never hoped to ride Michael's coattails to success. Emily had earned all of this on her own. She had loved drawing since she was a child, begging for art classes at four. Hayden had thought it a waste of money, but Isabella had supported her, leading to Emily's current success, independent of anyone else.

"I thought you'd be helping Isabella," Hayden said suddenly.

Emily had expected him to start with accusations, but she was wrong. She responded calmly. "Help with what? Brown Corporation is gone. Mom wants to start Taylor Corporation, build her own business. I can't help with that. We have different interests. Mom can handle it on her own. She doesn't need my help."

Hayden saw her brief explanation as sarcasm, a jab at his struggles. His ex-wife and daughter were thriving while his own life was in shambles. Anger flared up.

"Emily, are you mocking me? I know you're doing well without Michael or Isabella, but can't you leave some room for others? Look at what you've done to Sophia! She just made some money off your designs. You're sisters! Do you have to push her so hard?"

As his anger grew, his voice rose, drawing attention. Emily took a deep breath, feeling the sting on her right cheek. She had just been slapped by Scarlett, and now Hayden was berating her. He was so focused on Sophia that he hadn't even noticed the mark on her face.

Emily couldn't hold back any longer. She felt a surge of cold, numbness in her limbs, and everything came pouring out.

"Did she ever treat me like a sister? How can you say that? Haven't I told you before, Hayden? From now on, Sophia is your only daughter. I'm not part of the Brown family anymore!

"Now you want me to give her a break? What about when she tried to take Michael? When you wanted her to marry him? Don't you know Michael is my husband? Isn't that ridiculous?

"You all see my success but never ask what I want. No one cares if I'm happy in my marriage or what I've been through!"

Emily's voice trembled, tears welling up but refusing to fall.

"I used to think I was your daughter, that I should call you Dad no matter what. You have the right to pursue your happiness, but why did you have to let them hurt me? Did you ever think that if I hadn't married Michael, if I had no money, Mom would have left me long ago?noveldrama

"I have my dreams and goals, but you only care about her, about her happiness. What about mine?

"I'm done with this unfair treatment, being ignored and forgotten! I never wanted to compete with her. I just wanted to show you that I will walk my own path, no matter how hard it is. I won't look back!"

"You!" Hayden was at a loss for words. Emily's words were true. He had never supported her, and her success had nothing to do with him. But Sophia...

Knowing Emily wouldn't be swayed, Hayden slumped, playing the victim.

"Emily, my dear daughter. I know I was wrong before. I admit it. Can you please, for the sake of our family, help the Brown family, help your sister Sophia?

"Since that birthday party, she's been a wreck, dragging the whole family down. You're still a Brown. You can't just watch the family fall apart. I'm begging you! Help us, help yourself..."

Before Hayden could finish, Emily's tears finally fell. She couldn't understand why it always came down to her. Why she always had to fix things, while no one ever considered her feelings.