Chapter 189

"If you were really my sister, I wouldn't have kissed you..." Jared didn't even finish when Emma shoved him away and bolted for the door. He froze for half a second, then his face tightened. "Emma, wait! Can you just calm down?" He chased after her. Just as Emma reached the front gate, Bess's voice called out, "Emma, it's pouring outside and it's already so late. Where are you going?" Emma's steps faltered. She bit her lip and turned around- Bess stood there, holding a tray with two bowls of steaming sweet dumplings. The rising steam blurred the worry in her eyes, and the tiny lines at the corners of her eyes looked deeper in the light. Tears suddenly streamed down Emma's face. "Mom..." she choked, rushing into Bess's arms and hugging her tightly. Bess quickly set the tray down on a nearby table and gently patted Emma's back, but her eyes shot toward Jared like warning darts. "Emma, tell Mama-did your brother do something to you? Just say the word, and I'll handle him." Jared stood a f