When Blood Turns Cold

Two weeks had passed, and Emmy still could not accept the fact that her grandmother had left her. She sat on the balcony stairs, gazing out at the rain while holding a picture of her grandmother from when she was young and beautiful.

"Emmy, your coffee is ready. Come and have some! Oh my goodness, how many times have I told you not to sit there? You'll catch a cold!" Amy called out from the kitchen.

Amy had come to stay with Emmy after her grandmother passed away. Although Emmy had suggested that Amy return to her job, which was important to her, Amy was not interested.

"You know you need to return soon, right?" Emmy asked, worried that her best friend might be upset at the thought of leaving.

"Don't worry, darling. I'm planning to move here, and I've already contacted my secretary to assist me with the relocation to the main branch. I've always wanted to work at headquarters as the director, and now it feels like a dream come true, you know," she said with a wink.

Emmy sighed. Amy Anderson, whom she had known since preschool, was like an older sister to her. Amy cared for her deeply and knew that the dream she was talking about was just an excuse to stay. In reality, Amy wanted to be by her side and keep her company now that she was all alone.

"Alright, you can ensure that your dream comes true. I'm going to my room to prepare for the parent-teacher meeting, so please don't disturb me," Emmy said, waving her hand as she picked up her mug of coffee and left for her room.

As Emmy settled into her work desk, she picked up her phone and dialed the number her grandmother had given her. She was filled with curiosity about several things. First, who was this person her granny wanted her to talk to? And second, why did her grandmother take the number with her when she went for a walk that night? Emmy had been wanting to call the number on the night her granny passed away, but she hesitated, unsure if the person would be okay with receiving a late-night call.

"Hello, this is Luke Peterson's line, and you're speaking with Jane Carly, his secretary. How may I help you?" a friendly female voice said as soon as the call connected. Emmy frowned; wasn't that her father's name? Why did her grandmother want her to talk to him? Perhaps she knew she wouldn't survive the accident and had slipped the piece of paper into Uncle Brown's hand to give to her. This is so absurd, she thought.

"Hi, this is Emerald. May I speak with my father?" Emmy asked politely. She was eager to hear from her father, the man who owned the Queens hotels around the world and was known for his immense wealth. She had occasionally seen him on the news, but she usually didn't pay much attention to such things.

Jane nearly leaped from her seat, a wave of surprise washing over her. What? Emerald, she thought, feeling a rush of concern. "Luke, your daughter called," Jane said gently, her finger pressing the mute button. She noticed the worry etched on Luke's face as he had been watching her intently since she received the call, and she could see his brow furrow in response.

"Dad," Emmy said softly as she noticed some movement on the other end. Though she felt disinterested in the conversation, she couldn't help but want to engage a little, curious to see what was going on in his world. Luke felt a lump form in his throat at the sound of his baby girl's voice. He knew this wasn't the right moment to let his emotions take over, but it was difficult. He had arrived at this moment by letting his keen intellect lead the way, even when his heart longed to connect and feel compassion for others. Balancing these feelings was a challenge he faced every day.

"I see that you have matured quite a bit," he remarked in a voice that showed he had no regrets about what happened years ago. Emmy's blood boiled at the sound of his voice, a harsh reminder of everything she despised about him. She clenched her fingers tightly around the fabric of her skirt, the rough texture grounding her amidst the rising tide of anger. Nevertheless, he persisted, unaware of the storm brewing within her. "I was saddened to hear about your grandmother's passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time." What! She wondered. YOUR grandmother? Wasn't he referring to his mother? How could someone be so cruel?

"The doors of my home are always open to you, my dear. Please feel free to visit your father whenever it is convenient for you," he said, and with that, the call concluded.

Emmy took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation. There was no reason to feel overwhelmed; she had anticipated this moment all along. Yet, it felt like the scene from an emotional movie, far from the typical sad father-daughter reunion she chuckled at. The air was charged with a mix of nervous energy and excitement, and she couldn't help but smile as she braced herself for what was to come.

At least now, Emmy felt a sense of relief knowing her granny wouldn't be upset with her for not following through on her request. A warm smile crossed her face as she thought of her grandmother. She opened her laptop and began sifting through the students' remarks and results. The weight of the task ahead settled on her shoulders, and she let out a sigh, realizing it was going to be a long night.

…

A buzz of excitement electrified the air in the grand mansion as workers transformed the expansive family hall into a dazzling spectacle for the upcoming ceremony. Laughter erupted as children dashed about playfully, their carefree giggles mixing with the shouts of mothers attempting to rein them in. Everyone was swept up in the flurry of activity, each person contributing to the vibrant, festive atmosphere that enveloped the space. It was a whirlwind of joy and anticipation! Diamond Rosewood stood at the corner of the room, a warm smile spreading across her face as she watched the joyful scene unfold before her. She couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness for her son as he took this monumental step to become the CEO of the company. It was a moment filled with dreams and the promise of a bright future, and her heart swelled with joy for him.

This dream of hers would have come true if her older son hadn't chosen to become a pilot. She sighed, feeling a heaviness settle in her chest. As important as this dream was to her, she knew she couldn't impose her wishes on the sons she had cherished since the moment they were born. The thought of her older son, Philip Rosewood, made her heart ache more than she ever thought possible. With his wife lost to the cruel grip of lung cancer, all that remained was his adorable little daughter, who often cried for her father to spend time with her.

Andrew Rosewood gently draped an arm around her shoulder, offering silent comfort as they observed the preparations unfolding before them.