Revenge with My Quadruplets

Chapter 115

The night was growing late. Emily sat on her bed after her shower, working on her laptop.

"Buzz buzz!"

Her cell phone suddenly vibrated. She glanced at the caller ID; it was an unfamiliar number. She frowned but answered the call.

"It's me," came Derek's voice. Emily's entire body froze. Why was he calling her at this hour? She pressed down her racing heart and responded calmly, "Mr. Scott?"

"I'm downstairs from you," Derek said.

Hearing Derek's words, Emily almost jumped out of bed. She took a deep breath. "Mr. Scott, are you serious?"

"You'll know if I'm joking if you walk over to the balcony and look out the window," Derek replied.

Emily set aside her laptop and got off the bed.

Taking one quiet step at a time, she walked over to the balcony and pulled back the curtains slightly, counting.

Her room was on the third floor, just high enough for her to see a tall sycamore tree under the apartment building.

Derek, dressed casually, stood beneath the tree. The dim streetlight softened his cold, hard silhouette.

In the sky, the moon and stars shone, and under the tree stood Derek.

Emily's heart beat uncontrollably. Derek's words from earlier in the day echoed in her ears. "Ms. Parker, I'm courting you, don't you get it?"

She covered her chest, feeling her heart racing. Her ears burned, and even without looking in the mirror, she knew they must be red.

"If you don't come down, then I'm going to have to come upstairs to you," Derek teased, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Don't you dare come up here!" Emily rushed to stop him. "I'll change my clothes and come back down. Just give me five minutes." She hung up the phone, changed into a loose gray casual dress, and then went downstairs.

Derek stood still and silent as he watched her walk out of the room, step by step, closer and closer towards him.

Eventually, Emily halted three steps away from him. He frowned and stepped forward, closing the gap until he was only two steps from Emily.

"Mr. Scott, what do you want from me exactly?" Emily's voice held a hint of annoyance.

For the past three years, her heart had always been peace, but with Derek's arrival, she felt it slipping out of control—a feeling that unnerved her.

Yet, she had to admit that upon seeing Derek downstairs, a hint of joy surprised her. It was an emotion that shouldn't have been there.

"Emily, don't you want to see me?" Derek said quietly, his gaze fixed on her. For some reason, Emily sensed a tinge of sadness in his voice...

It was hard to believe that Derek, such a formidable man, would feel dejected merely because she didn't want to see him.

"Mr. Scott, we haven't known each other long. Why do you assume I would want to see you?"

"You're lying." Derek edged closer. "Your eyes betray your happiness at seeing me."

Emily lowered her eyes, concealing her emotions. Stepping back, she murmured, "Mr. Scott, you didn't come here in the middle of the night just to tell me that, did you?"

"I would like to invite you to my home tomorrow," Derek said softly, his gaze unwavering.

Emily furrowed her brows. "Why? Is the Scott family hosting an event tomorrow?"

"No. You'll be my sole guest. And..." Derek paused, choosing his words carefully, "My children are eager for your visit as well."

Children...

Emily's heart clenched. "Okay, what time tomorrow?" she asked.

Derek's tense demeanor relaxed, a faint smile touching his lips. "Tomorrow at noon. I look forward to your presence."

Had it been nighttime, Emily might have suspected ulterior motives. But Derek's choice of noon allayed her concerns completely.

"Alright, I'll be at the Scott family's residence punctually."

The cool night breeze swept in. Emily sensed Derek's gaze intensify, prompting her to wrap her shirt tighter around her.

"I'll go back first, then," she said, taking two steps back.

A strong reluctance gripped Derek's heart. Even though they would meet again tomorrow at noon, he couldn't bear the thought of parting with her just yet.

"Emily, wait," he called out, unable to contain the myriad of emotions swirling within him.

Emily met his gaze briefly before casting her eyes downward, the sound of her footsteps mingling with the rustle of dead leaves drifting down the street.

She murmured, "Mr. Scott, is there anything else you'd like to add?"

"What's your favorite dish?" Derek was at a loss for words. "I'll have the chef prepare it in advance."

In fact, he never forgot what she enjoyed eating.

Maybe because it was the pleasant night, or perhaps because Derek's voice was too soothing, anyway, Emily hesitated for a moment before responding, "Some simple home-cooked food will suffice."

"Good, I'll arrange for it to be prepared."

Derek observed her silently.

He couldn't get enough of this face that had visited his dreams countless times.

And of course, Emily could feel the intensity of his gaze.

She lowered her head, her voice a bit husky. "It's getting late. I'll go back first, Mr. Scott. You should head back soon too."

"I'll see you to your door," Derek's voice was exceptionally gentle.

Emily turned and took a step toward the apartment. She could feel Derek's burning gaze following her the whole time.

Only when she turned the corner of the hallway and entered her room did Emily finally relax.

She took a deep breath before calmly ascending the stairs. After cautiously returning to her room, she stepped out onto the balcony once more.

Downstairs, Derek remained in the same spot.

He seemed to have noticed her and raised his arm to wave before bending down to get into his car.

Emily didn't sleep well that night.

Tossing and turning, her dreams were haunted by Derek's slender, upright figure.

Derek approached her from a distance, drew nearer, and then suddenly clasped her hand and pulled her into his arms.

"Emily, I’ll never allow you to run away from me again."

"Mommy, Mommy."

A child's cry pierced through, the voice strained and fearful.

"Child! My child!"

Emily screamed, reaching out to grab the child, but the little figure just drifted further and further away, and then slowly disappeared...

Emily snapped her eyes open and sat up.

She turned her head to gaze out of the window.

It had been just a dream.