Chapter 7 Revealing True Feelings

"We're about to get married. Don't you think this is unnecessary?" Emily frowned. "Or are you just playing the perfect fiancé for show?"

James set his cup down and wheeled himself over to her. "Is that really what you think of me?"

Emily was taken aback by his intensity and instinctively stepped back, but James grabbed her hand. "Look me in the eyes and say that," he demanded.

Their eyes locked, and Emily's heart skipped a beat. Was that possessiveness she saw in his gaze?

"I..." Emily started to speak.

James cut her off, his voice low and rough. "Emily, I admit, I agreed to this marriage for family reasons at first. But after meeting you, everything changed."

"You..." Emily looked up, shocked.

"I know it sounds crazy," James said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. "I've been avoiding my feelings for you. But I can't do that anymore."

James reached out and held her hand. His palm was warm, but there was a slight tremor. "Emily, give me a chance to prove myself, okay?"

Emily's heart raced, and she didn't know what to say. She just let James hold her hand.

He took a deep breath, like he was making a big decision, and continued, "I've had issues with my leg since I was a kid. Growing up was tough. It made me insecure and sensitive. I was scared of people seeing my leg and even more scared of their pity. So, I shut myself off, using coldness and distance as a shield. I didn't let anyone in because I was afraid of getting hurt and dragging others down."

James's voice carried a hint of pain and helplessness.

He looked up at Emily, his eyes full of struggle. "But you make me feel different."

Emily stared at James, his eyes so sincere she couldn't doubt his feelings.

It turned out James's coldness and distance were because he was afraid of getting hurt and lacked a sense of security.

The soft piano music in the restaurant played on, but Emily was lost in her own thoughts.

At that moment, Emily realized she had deeply misunderstood James.

He wasn't cold and heartless; he was someone who longed for love but was too afraid to chase it.

After dinner, James drove Emily home.

The car slowly entered the gates of the Johnson Villa and stopped in front of the fountain. Emily was about to get out when she saw Bianca and her fiancé John arguing at the door.

"John, how long are you going to keep lying to me?" Bianca's voice was full of anger and disappointment. "You promised me you wouldn't gamble again!"

"Baby, let me explain, I just..." John's voice was full of panic and guilt.

"What else is there to explain?" Bianca's eyes were filled with tears. "You've gambled away all my family's money and now owe a huge debt! How am I supposed to trust you?"

Hearing this, Emily and James exchanged a surprised glance.

"Bianca, honey, just help me one more time. I promise I'll never gamble again!" John pleaded, his eyes full of guilt.

"How dare you! If it weren't for you, my parents wouldn't be so angry! Do you know that my family can't repay the money you owe?" Bianca was trembling with anger, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Bianca, I'm begging you, you can't just leave me to die!" John suddenly knelt down and hugged Bianca's legs. "If you don't help me, I might as well die! Emily is about to marry into the Smith Family, and you have received a lot of real estate, right?"

John's words hit Bianca like a bomb.

Bianca looked at John in disbelief. The once gentle and caring man, with his promises of love, now seemed like a joke. His true nature was despicable, greedy, and calculating.

Emily's face darkened instantly. She glared at John with disgust and contempt.

A man who would throw away his dignity for money made her sick.

"I can't believe John is like this!" Emily clenched her fists in anger. Worried about Bianca, she opened the car door to get out, but James stopped her.

"Wait, let's see what happens," James uttered quietly, signaling her not to alert them.

Bianca's face turned pale, and she looked like she was about to collapse.

She never imagined that John was with her from the beginning just for the money.

Bianca screamed, tears streaming down her face. "John, you bastard! How dare you want Emily's money!"

John was startled by Bianca's reaction but quickly reverted to his shameless demeanor. "Bianca, I had no choice! Just help me one more time, I promise I won't gamble again!"

"Get lost! I don't want to see you again!" Bianca pushed John away and tried to run.

Suddenly, Bianca's vision went black, and she fainted.

"Bianca!" Emily screamed and rushed to her side.

James quickly opened the wheelchair ramp and came to Bianca's side, bending down to check on her.

"Don't worry, she just fainted from anger. Let's get her to the hospital," James spoke calmly.

Emily then realized it and hurriedly helped Bianca into the car, heading to the hospital.

"Emily, I... I didn't mean to do that," At that moment, John was in a panic.

When he saw Emily's eyes, he felt a deep hatred, as if she wanted to tear him apart.

"Get out of my sight!" Emily growled.

John was startled and, seeing James's intimidating presence, he realized they must have overheard his conversation with Bianca.

Without hesitation, John ran away.

Watching him leave, Emily sighed, "He really ran away, what a jerk!"

On the way, Emily held Bianca's hand tightly, filled with worry and guilt. She blamed herself inwardly, 'If I discovered John's true nature earlier, Bianca wouldn't have been hurt like this!'

At the hospital, Bianca was taken to the emergency room.