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A mutual friend said Nathan's dad cursed the developer everyday at the unfinished house,while his mom fell ill from stress.To get Nathan out og jail,they had sold their old house and now rented a rundown shack,scraping by.Sarah,heartbroken,cut ties with the Brooks family and moved to another city with her husband and kids.
Free of that scumbag,my life soared.My parents stopped pushing me to date or marry after the ordeal."Emma,just follow your heart.Don't want to marry?It’s okay.We'll support you,"Dad said,thumping his chest.
I didn't need their support.My stellar work got me promoted to director,doubling my salary.I was more than set.
One day,I had a date.My car was being repaired,so I asked my family to pick me up."Miss,new restaurant opening—20%off!Perfect for a date!"A guy with a hat on his head covering half of his face handed me a flyer.I opened my mouth to decline,then looked up.It was Nathan.
He had gotten out of jail six months early due to his good behavior.I could hardly recognize him now after two years.Once a promising hotshot,now he was a greasy,potbellied,unshaven middle-aged man.If he hadn’t stared at me face to face,I wouldn't have recognoized him.
"Emma,is that you?Can't believe I’m seeing again!"Nathan grabbed my hand,excited.
"We're done a long time ago.Don’t touch me!"I yanked my hand back.
"Emma,I heard you're still single.I'm free too.After all these years,meeting again?It's fate!"Nathan babbled,eyes gleaming.
I couldn't stand to look at him.Thank God my savior arrived."Yo,I'm a only few minutes late,and someone's already hitting on you?"A tall,handsome guy stepped out of a car.
"Emma,who's this?"He slung an arm around my shoulders.
"Just a flyer guy,pushing his restaurant,"I said,playing along.
"Who's this?"Nathan stuttered.
"Who do you think?Can't you tell?"The guy raised a brow.
"Apparently these days,any random guy can hand oujt flyers.No eye for the room!"He shot Nathan a look,then guided me to the car.
"Emma Thompson!Years later,and you're still so vain!Hooking up with a pretty boy?He'll dump you,and you'll cry!"Nathan's eyes burned as we climbed into that fancy SUV worth $500,000.
"I love hot guys and money.So what?Oh,wait—you've got neither,so you're jealous?"I grinned at Nathan.
"You'll come back to me, crawling and crying!"Nathan shouted.
Who gave him this confidence?It’s ridiculous."Let's see who cries first!"I said,rolling up the window.
I called my friend who owned the restaurant."That Nathan guy at your place?Fire him.He's shady,been to jail."
With his criminal record,Nathan's degree and skills meant nothing.Few places hired ex-cons.He must've scoured for jobs,and the restaurant didn't check his past.Too bad he ran into me.To protect other girls,I had to teach him a lesson about crossing women.
After handling Nathan,I turned to the driver."You've really grown up,kid!"I ruffled his hair.
"Sis,how's my acting?"The driver,my brother Ethan,grinned mischievously.
"Teasing your sister?Ethan Thompson,you're asking for it!"I raised my hand,laughing.
"Sis,if I hadn't appear on time to save you,that cheap ex would've hounded you forever!"Ethan said cheekily."Seriously,a lifetime with that guy?Better to live free.If you wanna stay single,go for it.I'll always be behind you!"He patted his chest.
"Duh,I don't need you.Your sister's got enough money, don’t you worry about it!"I smacked his head,laughing.
My adorable silly little brother had returned from abroad a month ago.
He ran a trade company overseas,raking in cash.Two years back,when I was set to marry,he promised me a luxury car.Before he could deliver,Nathan and I split.
I'd been too busy with work to date since.Ethan came back,bought the car,and insisted on driving me as a gift for my 30th birthdat.
As for our family's properties,Ethan never cared about them.Nathan,with his petty mind,schemed against our wealth and eyed my brother warily.
Little did he know,Ethan didn't need my help at all—instead he often helped me out.Big-sister-and-little-brother duos aren't just about mooching brothers.
I hope that all girls could dodge scumbags and live their colourful lives!
