Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3650

Jonathan ordered a late-night supper specifically for the two pregnant women. While Estelle and Magdalen ate, Emily walked over and sat next to Marina.

Wearing a soft, cozy sweater, Emily exuded a calm, gentle elegance. "I actually understand exactly how you feel right now," she said softly. "When Charlie and I first got together, I had a million doubts. I had zero confidence that he could truly commit to just me."

Marina took a sip of her cocktail. "But Charlie proved he could!"

Emily's eyes were bright. "And I believe Carson can too. He just hasn't realized what he truly wants yet."

Marina let out a bitter laugh and shook her head. "I don't have the time or the patience to wait around for him to figure it out!"

By the time he finally got his act together, she'd likely be battered, bruised, and thoroughly disillusioned!

Emily glanced over at Carson. "He looks pretty miserable too."

"He's only miserable because this is the first time a woman has ever rejected him, and he can't stand losing control of the situation!" Marina scoffed.

"Men like them have seen every type of woman out there," Emily countered gently. "If he didn't actually care, he would have let you go without a second thought. He wouldn't be acting like this!"

Marina looked at Emily. "Are you completely confident in Charlie now?"

"I am!" Emily nodded firmly. "At least right now, in this exact moment, I know he loves me very much!"

"Then why aren't you guys married yet?" Marina asked.

Kya was already walking and talking!

Emily let out a light sigh, a self-deprecating smile on her lips. But there was no trace of self-pity in her demeanor. She said brightly, "I can't marry him until I pay off all the money I owe him!"

Marina couldn't help but laugh. "You owe Charlie money?"

Emily nodded. "The debts my dad racked up, the startup capital for my studio... I'm keeping track of every single penny!"

Marina waved it off. "You carried Kya, gave birth to her, and raised her entirely on your own for two years. If we're keeping score, how much does Charlie owe you for that?"

Emily's eyes shone with quiet strength. "You can't calculate it like that. Having Kya was my choice."

"She's still his daughter!" Marina shrugged and laughed. They were all so good at giving advice to others, yet they were all entirely blind when it came to their own messy lives!

Estelle and Magdalen brought over some food. "Come eat!" Magdalen called out to the group.

"How is she supposed to eat when she's asleep?" Henson whispered fiercely. "Go eat without us!"

Norah stared longingly at Kya's face, rubbing her hands together. "I just really want to poke her."

Henson gave her a deadpan look. "Hurry up and get married so you can have your own."

"Pfft!" Norah scoffed angrily. "Auntie Estelle is about to have her baby. When it comes, I'm going to guard it and I won't let you touch it either!"

Henson smirked condescendingly. "We'll see if Jonathan even lets you near it first."

Infuriated, Norah raised her fist, shook it threateningly in Henson's face, and stormed off!

*

Treating Carson like he was entirely invisible, Marina ate, drank, and laughed with Estelle and the girls. It was the first time she had felt this carefree in days.

But before she could even finish her meal, her phone rang. It was Rhiannon, telling her there was an emergency and she needed to come home immediately.