My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 147

Emily Blair stared at Andrew Lane’s back, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

This, she truly hadn’t expected.

She’d imagined Andrew Lane berating her, forbidding her from ever buying greasy street food again.

Maybe he’d look at her with pure disdain, making it clear she had nothing to do with the Lane family anymore.

She’d pictured him telling her to get lost, to never show her face around him again.

But this? She had never imagined Andrew Lane would arrange for her to stay in a pricey apartment complex near campus—and even offer to wire her money.

Apartments near the university were obscenely expensive. Back when she first moved here, Emily had searched forever just to find a crumbling old place she could afford.

But so what?

She’d always told herself that until she could stand on her own, she needed to keep her distance from Andrew Lane and his family.

Everything Andrew was doing now—she worried it was all just a sugar-coated trap.

If she really went along with his plan and moved into that apartment, who knew what strings would be attached?

It would be just like those years after the Lane family took her in.

Everyone envied her. Even Emma George told her to be grateful, to cherish the fortune that had fallen into her lap.

But her past life had taught her better: being adopted by the Lanes was nothing but a ticking time bomb wrapped in silk and sugar, and when it finally blew, it tore her apart.

She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Andrew Lane’s voice was sharp with warning. “Don’t let me catch you and Elizabeth Wilson selling street food again. The Lane family can more than afford to take care of you.”

Emily shot back without hesitation. “I don’t want it.”

A sharp pain pulsed at Andrew’s temple. He raised a hand, rubbing his brow and the side of his head.

Work had been a nightmare lately—long days, late nights, barely enough time to eat. And now, on top of everything else, he had to deal with Emily Blair. After this, he’d still need to rush back and handle the mountain of work waiting for him.

But Emily wouldn’t let up. She was pushing every last one of his buttons.

On the other end, Isabella Austin’s gentle voice came through, so soft it made Emily question her own eyes for a second.

Streetlights filtered into the car, but the light was still dim. Even so, Emily could clearly see the way Andrew’s face softened as he listened.

Isabella’s voice was sweet, almost pleading: “Andrew, are you still at work? I wish you’d come home. I can’t sleep without you.”

Andrew’s reply was low and soothing. “I’m leaving now. Wait for me.”

Isabella laughed lightly. “Okay, I’ll wait. I even made some soup for you.”

“It’s late. You should just go to bed. I’ll be home soon,” he told her.

“But I don’t want to,” Isabella pouted. “You’ve been with me every night lately. Without you, I can’t sleep at all.”

Andrew didn’t even get a chance to answer.

Because just then, while he was distracted, Emily Blair yanked open the car door, slipped out with practiced speed, and disappeared into the night.

She heard his voice behind her, low and thunderous: “Emily Blair.”