My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 250

The girls from the Austin family really were something. Their family might not have the prestige of the Lanes, but they were still a lineage steeped in history and wealth.

At one point, Kevin Lane himself had considered the Austins as ideal candidates for an alliance through marriage.

Among the Austin daughters, Isabella Austin stood out as the most talented and well-regarded. She had made a name for herself, traveling abroad on her own to study piano, and when she returned, it was with a string of honors and accolades.

An alliance between the Lanes and the Austins would be a perfect match.

She’d heard the rumors—how Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin had been secretly dating since high school, first loves, deeply smitten with each other. Even after spending years apart, their feelings never faded.

Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin: equally matched in love, background, and ambition.

A union of power and prestige. They made a striking pair.

When she learned that Andrew was dating Isabella, she’d honestly felt happy. Happy to see that Andrew’s feelings for Isabella were genuine, and that Isabella’s family had passed Kevin Lane’s scrutiny—worthy of joining the Lane family.

It was truly the best of both worlds, a match seemingly made by fate.

Only one thing spoiled the picture.

Emily Blair.

Diana Harris despised her own marriage, and at the heart of that resentment was the bitterness of betrayal.

Kyle Lane was young, handsome, and came from a distinguished family. He was unlike other men: charming, articulate, cultured. She’d once loved him deeply, dreaming they’d grow old together, just the two of them, no one else intruding.

But fate had other ideas. Less than six months after their wedding, Kyle had betrayed that dream.

She’d known heartbreak so deep it left her hollow. She’d tasted the confusion of a marriage in shambles. She couldn’t bear the thought of Andrew and Isabella going through the same agony.

As Andrew’s mother—one who owed him more than she could ever repay—she had to do her part to protect him.

Diana decided to give Emily Blair one week. If, after that, Emily was still haunting Andrew’s life, then she would take matters into her own hands.

Her gaze flickered, masking the shock and resolve in her eyes.

When she looked up again, her voice was gentle. “Andrew, I’m your mother. I want your marriage to be filled with love and harmony, not a repeat of my own mistakes. Do you understand?”

She reached up to squeeze Andrew’s shoulder. “If Isabella feels hurt, you need to comfort her. She’s expecting, and pregnant women have fragile emotions—you must be attentive, don’t let her bottle things up. It isn’t good for her health.”

“This is her first pregnancy, and you’re going to be a father for the first time. If you’re unsure about anything, come talk to me.”

Andrew nodded. “Thank you, Mom.”

On the morning of the semi-finals, Emily Blair got up early, her mind already racing through the day’s challenge.

The rules for this round had been announced right after the preliminary stage: same format as before. Contestants could choose to play an existing piece, or perform an original composition.

Half the field would be cut once again, leaving only thirty-two to advance to the finals.

But unlike the preliminaries, the remaining contestants were all strong—this round would be far tougher.

But with her name listed first, she’d have to go in blind.

When the announcement came over the loudspeaker, calling her name, Emily exhaled slowly.

She’d just have to take it one step at a time. At the very least, she couldn’t afford to get eliminated now.

She made her way toward the stage from the back row. The light in that section was dim, and she kept her eyes on the floor as she walked, only lifting her head when she neared the aisle.

Then she stopped in her tracks.

The doors opened, and two late arrivals stepped into the room. Sunlight spilled around them, framing their silhouettes. They were both strikingly attractive, and with the golden light behind them, they seemed even more perfectly matched—like the classic golden couple from a fairy tale.

Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin.

As soon as they entered, all eyes turned their way—then quickly looked away, as if afraid to linger.

Everyone in the room knew about last night’s dramatic scene—Mr. White’s public defense of Isabella had made waves. The story left everyone wary; now, no one dared even glance too long in Isabella’s direction.

Emily calmly looked away.

To get to the performance room, she had to walk right past Andrew and Isabella as they made their way to their seats.

There was no avoiding it. Emily brushed past them, shoulder to shoulder, and continued on her way.