Chapter 1: My Burden

Emma's Point Of View

The doctor’s words kept echoing in my head non stop like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut out. “If treatment doesn’t commence in a few days time, your brothers condition might get worse of perhaps he might lose his life.”

The phrase played on repeat, each word cutting deeper than the last. I stared blankly at my laptop screen, the spreadsheets and deadlines a blur. My chest tightened as I grabbed my phone to check my bank account for what felt like the hundredth time today.

My savings were laughable, a cruel joke in the face of the mounting medical bills. I had a good paying job but the bills that followed the pay was way more than I can handle, every cent I had managed to save wasn’t enough to scrape the surface of what they needed to save Brandon. The helplessness clawed at me, my throat dry, my hands trembling.

I didn’t even hear the elevator chime at first. The sharp ding only registered when the doors slid open, snapping me back to reality. My eyes darted toward the entrance. There he was in his mighty aura... The Almighty business Mogul Adrian Steele. Most eligible bachelor and perhaps one of the youngest billionaires in New York.

He strode in like he owned not just the building but the damn world, his designer suit tailored to perfection, every inch of him screaming arrogance and control. Hanging off his arm was a woman who looked like she belonged on the cover of a playboy tabloid. Her dress or lack thereof clung to her in ways that left little to the imagination.

I stifled an eye roll, keeping my face blank. This wasn’t anything new. Adrian’s revolving door of women was as predictable as the sunrise. He had a type, they were usykkhgorgeous, disposable, and eager to please. I felt a pang of pity for the girl. She didn’t know she’d be yesterday’s news by the time the sun set.

I rose to my feet as they approached, forcing a professional smile despite the storm in my head. “Good morning, Mr. Steele.” My voice was steady, neutral.

Adrian barely glanced at me. His piercing blue eyes, cold as the Arctic, skimmed over me like I was part of the furniture. “Miss Carter ,” he said curtly, his tone carrying that familiar edge of command.

“Yes, sir?”

He stopped in front of his office door, finally turning his full attention to me. For a fleeting moment, his gaze settled on mine, and I felt an inexplicable chill. “No interruptions. Unless I say otherwise, nobody and I mean absolutely nobody comes in, do you understand?.”

I nodded, suppressing the urge to bristle at his tone. “Understood, sir.”

The door slammed shut behind them, the sound echoing through the quiet office. I exhaled sharply, sinking back into my chair. My hatred for Adrian Steele wasn’t a secret, not even to myself. His cold demeanor, his Casanova lifestyle, the arrogance, the pride, it all made my skin crawl. And yet, I couldn’t afford to say a word, I couldn't lose this job. Not with Brandon depending on me.

"Focus, Emma."  I pulled myself together, diving back into the mountain of work on my desk. But the thoughts wouldn’t stop swirling.

A movement caught my eye making me look up from my desk. The woman from earlier stormed out of Adrian’s office, her face a mask of anger and humiliation. She shot me a glare, muttering something under her breath before stomping toward the elevator. I bit back a laugh. Another one bites the dust. This was his usual method, have fun with them girls and throw them out like trash

Shaking my head in amusement. I returned to typing, trying to ignore the clock ticking down on my brother’s life. Minutes blurred into hours. The intercom beeped, Adrian’s voice cutting through the silence. “Emma, my office. Now.”

I grabbed a stack of documents and stood, smoothing my skirt as I approached his office. The moment I stepped inside, the stench hit me, a sickly blend of lavender and… something unmistakable... Intercourse. My stomach churned, but I kept my expression neutral. I loved my job so much not to interfere in my Boss's life.

Adrian sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms corded with muscle. He didn’t look up as I entered, his focus on the screen in front of him. “What’s my program for today like?” he asked, his tone brisk.

I cleared my throat, struggling so hard to ignore the lingering scent of sex in the air. “Your meeting with Mr. Callahan is at noon. After that, you have a lunch appointment with the investors from Toronto.” I placed the documents on his desk, careful to avoid his gaze. “These require your signature.”

He finally looked up, his blue eyes pinning me in place. “Anything else?”

“Not at all, sir.” I took a step back, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere.

“Good. Don’t screw up my schedule today just as you have been doing for weeks now , only reason you you are still here is because you know your place and stick to it, don't make me fire you, Emma.”

“Yes, sir,” I murmured, turning on my heel and retreating to my desk.

My phone buzzed as soon as I settled in, the sound startling me. The number was unfamiliar, but I picked up anyway, my heart already racing.

“Miss Carter?” The voice was calm but urgent. “This is Nurse Patel from St. Mary’s. Your brother is having an episode. We need you to come over immediately.”

Panic flared in my chest. “I’ll be there,” I said, my voice shaky.

I hung up, grabbing my bag without a second thought. I didn’t care what Adrian would say about me leaving. James needed me and that was all that mattered.

I rushed to the elevator, my mind racing. The office blurred around me, the weight of my brother’s condition crushing me. All I could think about was getting to the hospital.

"Please, Brandon. Hang in there."