Daniel's Wounded Heart

Having poured out all the sadness in her heart, Emily released herself from Sean's embrace. Her tears left visible traces on her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "It's okay," Sean replied understandingly. Emily had never shown her sadness to Grace or her father. She always tried to be strong because she didn't want to make the two people she loved worry about her. But today she felt her emotions were quite overwhelming. "Thank you, Sean," Emily said before getting out of the car. Sean followed Emily into her house as he waved and smiled. Emily returned Sean's smile and waved back. The scene did not go unnoticed by Daniel. He watched from the car window, a cold look on his face. When Sean was about to get back into his car, he saw a black car close to his car. As Sean walked towards the car, Daniel stepped out of his car and their eyes finally met. "Daniel," Sean murmured as he watched Daniel walk up to him. The meeting led them to a nightclub in the city. Disco lights flickered, music thumped loudly, and people danced wildly. But the happiness of the people around didn't seem to affect Daniel's feelings in the slightest. "How did you end up in front of Emily's house?" asked Sean. He watched as Daniel calmly poured a drink into his glass. "This really doesn't look like you," Sean muttered. He looked at Daniel, who seemed to be dissolved in sadness. The liquor in his hand seemed to be a medicine to ease the pain in his heart. "You rarely even touch alcohol, let alone come to a place like this. Now, you're drinking like a desperate man." "You already let Emily go because of that fate, you said. Do you regret it now?" Sean continued as he took a sip of the alcohol in his glass, his eyes glaring at Daniel. "I don't regret it," Daniel replied flatly, his voice cold and emotionless. He looked down, staring at his drink, as if he wanted to disappear into it. "But unlike your words, I can see the broken you, Dan. Why do you believe in such a fate? What if that fate is wrong? Won't you be the one regretting it later?" asked Sean. "I don't know," Daniel replied. "But I started to believe in everything that can't be reasoned with," he continued as he took another sip of his alcohol, his eyes blank, staring into nothingness. "I love Emily," Sean said. Sean's words stopped Daniel, who was about to pour alcohol into his glass. "I'll keep chasing her until she's mine. You won't mind, will you?" asked Sean, his voice sounding full of conviction. "Emily is a good woman and the mother of my child. Take care of her and treat her well," Daniel said, his voice flat but his eyes sharp, looking at Sean warningly. He poured alcohol into his glass, then took a quick sip. "I'll definitely treat her well," Sean replied. "That's good," Daniel responded. "Don't be an asshole like me. Don't hurt her." "Take it easy. I won't dump her like you did," Sean replied, which made Daniel smile. The smile was bittersweet, reminding him of the unforgivable mistake he had made. Daniel continued to drink until he was so drunk that he fell asleep on the bar table in the nightclub. Sean, who hadn't had too much to drink, was still awake. He looked at Daniel, who was sleeping with heavy breathing, and his face was flushed. Sean sighed, looking at Daniel with a look that was hard to interpret. "One more bottle," Daniel said in his unconscious state, his voice hoarse and breathless. He moved his hands, as if to reach for the bottle that wasn't in front of him. "That's enough, Dan," Sean whispered. "You're already drunk." Sean pulled out Daniel's cell phone, his fingers moving quickly to find the contact he needed. However, his eyes stopped at an incoming call, with Emily's name displayed on the screen. He fell silent for a moment. The memory of his meeting with Emily at home came back to haunt him. The image of the trail of tears on Emily's face as she invited her daughter into the house was still clearly etched in his mind. "Could you two have met earlier?" Sean muttered, his voice sounding a little bitter. Despite his irritation, Sean tried to focus on his original goal. He searched for the contact number of someone who could help him bring Daniel home. Once he found it, he pressed the green button, and it wasn't long before the call was connected. "Hello," came a man's voice from the other end. "Richard, can you come here and take Daniel home? He's very drunk," Sean said. After Sean told him the address of the nightclub they were in, Richard arrived a few moments later and saw Daniel asleep on the bar table, breathing heavily. Daniel's face was flushed, and cold sweat clung to his forehead. They both immediately helped lift Daniel up and put him into the passenger seat of Daniel's car, which Richard then drove. "Thank you," said Richard, who received only a nod from Sean. After Daniel's car drove away, Sean stared blankly at the shadow of the car disappearing into the distance. Meanwhile, in the car, Richard shook his head at Daniel, who looked even more broken. "Why are you torturing yourself like this, my friend?" asked Richard. With unconsciousness, heavy breathing and a flushed face, Daniel mumbled, "Emily." Not long after, Daniel said again. "Emily." His voice was hoarse and breathless, as if calling Emily's name in his nightmares. Richard felt frustrated seeing Daniel in this state. "If you really love Emily, why did you give up your chance to be with her? I don't understand what's going on in your mind," Richard said, his voice sounding a little high. He sighed heavily. "You know, Emily is a good woman. You guys love each other. Why do you have to hurt yourself like this?" *** The next morning, Emily was ready in her formal work clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror and nodded her head, trying to encourage herself for today's interview. However, her eyes that were puffy from crying last night made her face look tired. "Fortunately, I can cover my puffy eyes with makeup," Emily said. She didn't use her glasses today but wore lenses to help her see. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I have to. I have to get this job." After getting ready, Emily walked out of her room. The smell of the food her father had made wafted through the dining room. "Mom, you look beautiful today," Grace complimented, giving her a thumbs up. "You look even better without your glasses on." "You really are beautiful, Em. Sit down and have some breakfast," Fred invited, his eyes radiating happiness at the sight of his daughter. Emily smiled, "Thanks, Dad. Am I prettier or is your girlfriend prettier?" she teased her father, knowing he already had a girlfriend. "Of course you're prettier," Fred replied. "You are my daughter, and you will always be the prettiest in my eyes." Little Grace sulked. "What about me? Am I prettier, or is Mom prettier, Grandpa?" she asked, not wanting to be left out, her cheeks flushed red. She tugged at the hem of Fred's shirt, demanding attention. They all burst into laughter in the dining room. Fred affectionately stroked Grace's hair. "You're both beautiful, darling. You are the most beautiful flowers in the garden of my life." Emily teased Fred again. "Dad, hurry up and marry your girlfriend. I can't wait to have a mom. When are you going to introduce her to us?" she asked, her voice a little hushed, trying to contain her laughter. "Grace also wants to see Grandpa's girlfriend. Hurry up and bring her here," Grace chimed in, her eyes twinkling. "Alright, I'll bring her here right away," Fred replied. Emily and Grace smiled, their eyes sparkling. They had persuaded Fred. After breakfast and saying goodbye to Fred, Emily took Grace to school. "Bye, Mom," Grace said as she was about to get off, but Emily held her arm. "Wait a minute, dear," Emily said with a warning. "Remember not to make trouble at school. I don't want to hear about you making trouble anymore, okay?" "Alright, Mom. I promise," Grace replied before getting out of the car. She waved goodbye to Emily. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be a good girl." After dropping Grace off, Emily's drove her car to the company where she would be interviewing today. Her hands were cold and her heart was beating fast. She sighed, trying to calm herself down. Emily parked her car in the parking lot and walked towards the company building. She waited in the waiting room, trying to relax. Moments later, a receptionist called her name. "Miss Emily, please come in. Mr. Ryan is waiting for you." Emily stood up, trying to catch her breath. She walked towards the interview room, her heart pounding. Inside the room, Mr. Ryan, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile, greeted her. "Good morning, Miss Emily. Please have a seat." Emily sat down opposite Mr. Ryan. "Thank you, sir." "I have read your resume, Miss Emily. I am very impressed with your experience and qualifications. We would like to offer you the position of investment manager at our firm." Emily was dumbfounded. "Really, sir?" "Yes, but there is one condition," Mr. Ryan continued. "You must be able to convince an investor to invest in our company. This investor is a very influential person. And I'm sure you already know him." Emily frowned. "Who is it, sir?"