Chapter 25
Emily spent the next two New Year’s in Australia, too.
Every year, Jenny’s parents would come over to celebrate, and Jenny always dragged Emily and her family along to join in. Over time, their friendship only grew deeper. They just got each other–same outlook, same energy–and soon enough, they were practically inseparable.
That year, the Palmer family moved all their businesses to Melbourne and decided to settle down for good. Jenny couldn’t stop asking if Emily planned to stay, too.
It was a big question, and Emily had thought about it a lot.
Most of her close friends back home had already gotten married and moved on with their own lives. Her parents and family were gone. She didn’t have anyone left, or any property to tie her down.
Honestly, both her work and social life were rooted in Australia now.
Her job was going better than ever, and she’d even saved enough for a place of her own. She considered sending back the money Yvonne had once given her, but Jenny stopped her fast, poking her in the arm and rolling her eyes.
“Are you serious? You practically gave your whole heart taking care of someone who couldn’t even see. You deserve every bit of that money. Don’t even think about giving it back.”
After that, Emily dropped the idea and focused on her immigration paperwork.
The Palmer family was a huge help, always there to get her through any bumps in the road. With enough savings and a solid client base, Emily finally turned down a tempting promotion from her boss and started her own studio.
The next two years flew by, and her business kept growing, slowly but surely building a real
reputation.
After four years, Emily finally qualified for permanent residency.
When she went back home to handle the paperwork, she met up with old friends she hadn’t seen in ages. Years had passed–everyone was older, a little different, but when they got together, it felt just like old times.
ally, everyone wanted to know about her love life.
ily didn’t shy away from the questions. She smiled and shrugged.
“I dated someone a couple years ago, but we broke up–just didn’t click. We still work together sometimes. My current boyfriend? We got together earlier this year. He’s two years younger, goes to the University of Melbourne, but honestly, he’s more mature than I am…”
She was glowing as she talked about her boyfriend, sharing photos and videos as her friends. crowded around, grinning at the happy couple on her phone.
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Chapter 25
They chatted for a while, catching up, until someone suddenly brought up Damon.
“Hey, did you guys hear? Damon’s not doing so well these days.”
The words made Emily pause. She looked up, caught off guard.
She’d been so busy with her new life and work in Australia that she barely kept up with what was happening back home. Jenny might have known something, but she’d never said a word, probably not wanting to upset her.
Sometimes she and Lori would reminisce, but those old memories always felt hazy, like they belonged to someone else.
Even hearing Damon’s name felt strange, like looking at an old, faded photograph.
She’d imagined he would move on, find his own happiness, just like she had.
But now it sounded like things had ended badly for him–badly enough for his life to be at risk?
The room went quiet, everyone watching Emily’s reaction.
When all they saw was surprised curiosity, not heartbreak, they relaxed and kept talking.
“I heard about it too, Emily,” one friend said quietly. “But you always said you didn’t want to hear anything about him, so I never brought it up. It’s a sad story, anyway.”
“Sad? It’s what he deserves,” another friend cut in. “Remember how he treated you because of Lea? Then he started losing it, and after the accident, he ended up blind–totally ruined. And for some reason, Yvonne let Lea be the one to take care of him. He’s been barely hanging on ever since, and honestly, it sounds like hell for both of them.”
So much time had passed, Emily almost forgot what Lea’s name was. Hearing it again made her freeze for a second.
Hearing about what happened to the two people who’d turned her life upside down left her with a complicated feeling–part pity, part detachment.
But the feeling only lasted a moment.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of it.
She pulled it out. Jenny’s name flashed on the screen.
“Emily, when are you coming home? Mom made your favorite jam again. I’ll bring you a couple jars when you get back.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
The past was fading, growing softer and more distant every day. Emily looked out the window, soaking in the sunlight. It was just like the day she’d left, and for the first time in a long while, it felt like things were exactly where they were supposed to be.
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