My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 172

Emily Blair slid the folder back into place, her hands gripping her knees.

Everything most people could only dream of, Isabella Austin had collected early on—family name, beauty, prestigious education, a coveted job, admiration from all sides. She had it all, plus a loving partner and a family that adored her.

Her life seemed to follow every beat of the fairy-tale heroine’s story, perfectly on script.

Dazzling, enviable—truly one of Fortune’s favorites.

Not just a few, but many—friends and fans alike—called Isabella the real-life leading lady, the woman who had it all.

And for once, Emily felt the sting of jealousy twist inside her.

She could envy, too. She could feel resentment.

She had been born ordinary—her father the Lane family’s chauffeur, her mother their housekeeper. If not for her father, Emily might never have stepped into the world of Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin, a world so far out of reach.

Even if she did set foot in it, it was a place her father had paid dearly—his very life—for her to glimpse.

And still, it was never truly her world. She could never belong.

She had never harbored ill intentions, always walked the straight and narrow, never done anyone harm.

So she couldn’t understand—why did someone like Isabella Austin, who hurt others and herself, get to start so high, and always land on her feet?

Why did Isabella get a happy ending?

And then there was her daughter’s accident—the car crash Isabella was entirely responsible for.

Yet somehow, there’d been no justice, no retribution.

A sharp pain stabbed at Emily’s heart, so intense her face drained of color and her body trembled.

Just then, Andrew Lane returned and opened the door. Emily drew a deep breath, steadying herself.

Not wanting him to notice her distress, she turned her face toward the window, fighting to calm the storm inside.

Once she’d composed herself, she glanced at the bag of fruit Andrew had set on the back seat.

Tart fruit, mostly—probably for Isabella, to help ease her morning sickness.

Andrew drove fast on the way back, clearly eager to get home.

Emily knew exactly what drove his urgency, but she didn’t protest. She wanted to get home quickly, too.

Andrew pulled up outside her apartment building, and Emily wasted no time getting out, moving quickly.

Emily kept her head down, stirring the oatmeal with her spoon.

Emma glanced at her cautiously, then tried to lighten the mood. “Five percent doesn’t sound like much. In all the novels it’s always fifty or sixty percent! Andrew Lane’s being stingy.”

Emily gave a small, helpless smile and shook her head. “I&A is worth over fifty billion now. Five percent is a fortune—enough to let someone live in comfort for generations.”

Emma’s eyes widened. “I thought it was just a tiny bit… That much? I mean… that’s actually a lot. Still, he could’ve given more… not that we should care.”

A wave of resignation washed over Emily. She took a spoonful of oatmeal. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

At the Lane Estate, Isabella sat across from Andrew at the breakfast table, sipping her milk in small, careful sips. “Andrew, did you pick Emily up yesterday?” she asked quietly.

Andrew’s tone was calm. “Just happened to run into her. Gave her a lift since it was on my way.”

Isabella’s smile faltered for a second. “No wonder you got home so late last night.”

Andrew pushed a plate of scrambled eggs toward her. “I’ll be busy for a while. You should get some rest and not wait up for me.”

Isabella bit her lip. “I want to wait.”

Grandpa Kevin cleared his throat. “Andrew, I know work is important, but Isabella’s pregnant. You ought to take better care of her—and stop getting involved with women outside the family.”