The Best Decision

Emily charged forward like a little lioness, planting herself firmly between me and the event manager. She was wearing a pure white dress that was simple in design but crafted by one of Paris’s top designers for their exclusive children’s line.

Clearly, James and Mia didn’t recognize it.

James froze when he saw her, his face darkening instantly. “You have a child?”

Mia gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. “Oh my gosh, so you’re already a mom, and you’re still so vain to wear a fake watch? Poor kid, she must be so ashamed of you.”

“Shut your mouth,” I cut her off sharply, pulling Emily behind me.

The event manager’s face was growing uglier by the second. He took another step toward me. “Ma’am, Mr. Howard will be arriving soon. If you don’t leave now, I’ll have to call security.”

“That’s enough,” James interrupted, pulling out his phone with an impatient sigh. He tapped the screen a few times before holding it out. “Here’s ten grand. Take it and leave. It’s enough to feed you and your kid for a while.”

I shot him a cold look. “No, thanks.”

He gave a derisive snort, but when he tried to complete the transfer, his expression shifted. “Transfer failed… What did you do? Did the bank close your account for fraud or something?”

Mia gasped again, clutching his arm like she’d just uncovered a scandal. “James, what if she’s involved in money laundering? We should stay far away from her.”

In reality, ever since I’d returned to the medical field as a special-appointed professor, most of my finances were handled directly by my research team. However, I wasn’t about to waste my breath explaining that.

I simply shook my head calmly. “I said, I don’t need it.”

James’s gaze lingered on Emily, and for a moment, his expression faltered. The little girl glared back at him stubbornly, her eyes clear as glass under the lights but strangely familiar.

“She…” His brows furrowed, his voice losing some of its anger, replaced by hesitation. “Evelyn, this isn’t my daughter, is it? Can you even afford her school fees right now?”

Sensing his hesitation, Mia jumped in immediately. “James, she wasn’t pregnant when she left you. And come on, she’s only in this mess because of herself. She could’ve gone to med school, but she chose to be a housewife.”

Then, she turned her faux-sympathetic smile on me. “Remember how much Mom and Dad adored you? They bought you clothes, took you to events… and you just walked away, breaking their hearts.”

“Enough!” My voice shook with fury. “It was because I remembered how kind they were that I endured you and James for so many years! I gave up my place at Harvard Medical School to help him build his business and take care of your whole family. I’ve long since repaid every bit of kindness.”

James’s face went thunderous. “Evelyn! You–”

“Emily, we’re leaving.” I scooped my daughter into my arms, not sparing them another glance as I strode toward the exit.

“Stop right there!”