Chapter 56: Good Enough for Her

Emerald’s POV

I was still trying to convince Laura that I was perfectly fine when she handed me another glass of water.

"Drink this."

I stared at it. "Laura, I am not dying."

"Nobody said you were dying. You fainted," she said.

"I know," I let out a groan.

"Then drink," she insisted.

I took the glass from her and drank a little. Claire sat beside me, watching me closely. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

"I’m fine."

I honestly felt fine. A little tired, perhaps, but nothing more. The only thing I found strange was that I could not remember much after leaving the table to use the restroom.

I remembered walking there, and then the next thing I could recall was waking up in the private lounge with Mr. King sitting close by.

Apparently, I had become dizzy and fainted. It was embarrassing enough. "I probably didn’t eat enough," I said.

Laura immediately nodded. "That’s exactly what I told you earlier."

I gave her a look. "You didn’t tell me that."

"I was going to," she said.

Claire laughed softly. "She was too busy talking."

Laura placed a hand over her chest. "Excuse me. I was entertaining everyone."

I smiled despite myself. At least my friends had succeeded in taking my mind off the embarrassment.

Across the reception hall, Vera and her husband were moving from table to table, greeting guests and taking photographs with family members. She looked genuinely happy, but I felt nothing much about it.

Regardless of whatever had happened between us, I was glad that she was enjoying her wedding.

Not long after, she and her husband approached our side of the ballroom.

"Emerald," she said.

I stood. "Congratulations again." Claire and Laura followed me in unison.

"Thank you," she replied.

Her husband smiled at me. "Nice to finally meet you properly."

I nodded. "You too."

He seemed much more relaxed than Vera, and I could understand why she had chosen to marry him. At least from the little I had seen of him, he didn’t carry the same sharpness she did.

Vera gave me a brief smile before they moved on to greet the next group of guests. I sat down again. It wasn’t long before my mother appeared beside our table.

"Emerald."

I looked up. "Yes, Mum?"

"You’ve been sitting here for quite some time."

I glanced around. "And?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "How come you have been sitting on your own while everyone else is interacting? You need to greet your other cousins as well."

I almost sighed. "Mum, I value my peace of mind a lot."

Her expression changed. I continued before she could say anything. "Besides, I will see them during the photo session."

She stared at me for a moment. "Just don’t spend the entire wedding hiding behind your friends."

"I won’t."

She looked as though she wanted to say something else, but she eventually walked away.

Laura leaned closer. "Your mother is something else."

I smiled. "Thankfully, she left without saying much."

Claire chuckled. "That’s progress."

I shook my head. I wasn’t going to complain. My mother could be difficult, but she had enough class not to create a scene in front of guests.

A few minutes later, one of the photographers approached us and announced that the family photographs would begin shortly.

I stood with Claire and Laura before we were directed towards the area that had been arranged for the photographs. That was where I finally came face-to-face with the rest of my family.

My three uncles were already there with their wives. Uncle Dante, Vera’s father, stood close to the bride and groom, while my other two uncles were speaking with their wives and some of their children.

Some of my cousins greeted me warmly. "Emerald, it’s good to see you."

"You too."

Another cousin hugged me briefly before moving aside for the photographer. I returned the smile.

Then came the others.

One of my cousins looked me over before giving a small smile. "So, you finally decided to show your face again."

I knew exactly what she was referring to, so I didn’t bother replying.

Another one laughed quietly. "I heard Mercer Technologies isn’t doing too well."

I looked at him. He shrugged. "I mean, you practically built that company with Kelvin. It must be painful watching someone else enjoy what you helped create."

I chose silence at this trying time. Besides, there was nothing he could say that I hadn’t already heard from strangers.

Another cousin, standing nearby, joined in. "At least you have our family’s lawyers. I heard they are handling everything now."

I looked away. They were adults. Fully grown adults who had been raised with every advantage life could offer, yet they still found entertainment in another person’s misfortune.

For me, they were nothing more than a bunch of spoiled adults who had never learned that having money did not give anyone the right to bully people or take pleasure in their pain.

I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

One of them noticed my silence and smirked. "Nothing to say?"

I turned towards the photographer as he adjusted his camera. "Are we ready?"

The photographer smiled. "Almost."

That was enough of an answer for me. I didn’t owe them anything.

The family began arranging themselves. My father stood beside my mother, while my uncles and their wives took their positions. Vera and her husband stood at the centre, naturally becoming the focus of the photograph.

I was directed to stand with my cousins, which I did.

A few more people joined us, and the photographer kept moving us around until everyone was properly positioned.

"Everyone, look this way."

The first flash fired, followed by another. I maintained a composed expression, refusing to let anything anyone said ruin Vera’s wedding or my own day.

Another photograph was taken. Then another. After the family photographs, the photographer asked for a smaller group.

My parents joined me. Then my uncles and their wives took turns with the newlyweds. Throughout it all, I was calm and collected.

When the final photograph was taken, I stepped aside and released a quiet breath.

I had survived the family reunion without saying anything I would regret. That was good enough for me.