Chapter 8

Emma's POV

A few bright rays of sunshine managed to peek inside, finding a crack in the heavy curtains.  

I let out a yawn, stretching in the comfortable bed before I reached for my phone: 11:15 AM. 

The next few seconds were spent staring at my unfamiliar surroundings in surprise, before I remembered where I was: in the grand master bedroom of Xeros’ mansion. 

The sheets on the other side of the bed were crisp, as if they had never been touched. 

Making my way toward the kitchen, my steps halted as something caught me off guard.

A full breakfast spread was waiting for me: cheese omelets, fresh fruit, warm croissants and pastries. 

My stomach growled as I approached the table, making me realize I hadn't eaten anything since before the wedding ceremony yesterday. 

Honestly, I had prepared myself for a breakfast of water and– if I was lucky, maybe a bruised apple. 

After years at the orphanage, I had learned to survive on scraps without complaining. We were often low on funds, and the staff was doing the best they could to provide for everyone. 

Things weren't so different at the Miller's house: if I didn't wake up on time, it would be my lucky day if I found stale toast left in the kitchen. 

It wasn't a big deal for most, but this small kindness made my throat tighten. 

A few hours later, I headed to the private room at the Erken hospital, carrying bags filled with fresh fruits and a bouquet of cheerful daisies. 

I found Mrs. Weston sitting up in bed, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw me. She dropped the book she had been reading and welcomed me with a beaming smile. 

“Emma! I've been waiting for you, dear. How have you been?”

I smiled, walking over to place the flowers on the table. 

“I’ve been alright. Just adjusting to some changes. But everything’s fine. The doctor tells me you have been responding well to the latest treatments?”

Mrs. Weston smiled proudly, tapping the space in front of her and gesturing for me to sit. 

She placed her frail hand over mine. 

“I hate to be a burden on you, dear. I know how hard you work to make ends meet, and on top of that, there are the hefty bills at this hospital—”

“Don’t worry about the bills.” 

I said sternly, avoiding eye contact as I smoothed her blanket. 

“It’s all taken care of. You just focus on getting better, okay? And if you bring up this topic again, I won't come and visit you again.”

“Okay, okay! I give up!”

She raised her hands in surrender, and we both shared a smile as our eyes met. 

“You are just as stubborn as you were when you first came to us…”

*****

Half an hour later, the nurse gestured that it was time for her medication, and I left after saying goodbye to Mrs. Weston. 

Just as I took the hallway to the escalator, a smug voice reached my ears.

“You look good, Mrs. Martinez.”

I rolled my eyes, recognizing the voice before I turned around. 

"What the hell do you want?"  

"What could you possibly give me?" 

Alex scoffed, “I’m the one who wanted to take pity on you and offer you something.”

I simply raised an eyebrow in question, not bothering with the words. 

But Alex wasn't paying attention. His gaze dragged down my body, then slithered back up, a familiar fire of passion igniting in his eyes. 

I couldn't believe I was ever flattered by the look which was making me want to throw up right now. 

And if I thought it couldn't get any worse, he was ready to prove me wrong. 

“I can imagine how much you must be missing having me in your bed… but I can help you out.”

Shooting him a glare, I spat out.

“You've got to be kidding me! Don't you ever try these idiotic jokes on me.”

The elevator doors opened and I turned to leave, but his hand closed around my elbow.  

"Come on, Em… What's so taboo about that? Don't be a prude, now!”

He purred, stepping close enough that I could feel his breaths against my neck. 

“We have been together for so long that I know your body inside and out… don't you think I can tell you miss me badly?”

I turned to face him, pasting a sweet smile on my face as I jerked my elbow from his grasp. Alex smiled in reply, expecting me to agree. 

But I dropped my smile and gritted out the words, 

"You and your offer can go to hell! And don't corner me again, because I'm married now.”

The jerk had the audacity to laugh. 

"Married! To that clown? Em, the whole bloody world knows Xeros is impotent! So don't try to lie.”

Was that why he was here, to humiliate me?

Before I could voice my doubts, the scum opened his own mouth. 

“But what's surprising though! In all the years we were together, and I never knew you could paint well enough to fool art critics into giving you excellent ratings! 

I'll tell you what! If you’re willing to continue painting on behalf of Charlotte, I'll be happy to satisfy your needs thoroughly… it's a win-win for all of us–”

My hand shot up to slap him; anger taking control of my body before common sense could step in. 

But Alex was faster. He caught my wrist, his fingers digging into my wrist.

“You bastard! Let me go! Does Charlotte know you're here? Or is she another stepping stone for your career, and you're cheating on her too?”

His smile only widened, infuriating me even more. 

"You still don't get it, do you? I'm doing you a favor!” 

I tried to pull away, but he tugged at my hand, pulling me against his chest.

"I don't need you, or anyone except Charlotte! She's my lucky charm, but I'm quite influential on my own. Mr. Miller and the board of directors think I'm the one who can take their company to new heights, and our relationship is just an added bonus to my charm!”

How delusional was he? 

This probably wasn't a good time to call him out on it, and I almost considered headbutting him, if we were not in public. 

I couldn't afford to make a scene, or Mrs. Weston might have to suffer for it. I gulped down my anger, while Alex was still busy peacocking. 

“All I have to do is secure the DreamNet project, and I'll be promoted to project manager. So really, who needs whom more?”

“I don't give a damn. You both can go to hell for all I care, just let. Me. Go!”

I hissed, almost shaking with anger and humiliation as I noticed the curious gazes of the passers by. 

“Stop pretending like you don't love the attention…!”

Smirking like the arrogant dog he was, Alex finally released my wrist, letting it drop with a mocking little bow. 

“You know my number. Just give me a call whenever you change your mind.”

Leaving him with a disgusted look, I stormed away, my skin crawling where he had touched me. 

*****

By the time I got back home, my feet were aching. 

I slipped off my high heels near the door, the cool marble soothing against my feet. 

My mind was still a mess of anger and disgust; I just wanted to retreat to my room and disappear into silence for a few hours. 

But of course, peace was never mine to have.

“Where have you been?” 

Xeros’s voice rang out, startling me once again as I found him standing at the end of the hallway. 

His arms were folded across his chest, and I adjusted my expression quickly. I couldn't let him know about Mrs. Weston, because it would lead him straight to the orphanage, and my real identity. 

“I was missing my mother! So I just went home to visit her and pick up some things that I had actually forgotten to pack…

I gulped, why was I rambling!

“Oh really?” 

He waited just long enough for me to nod in reply, before he fired his next shot. 

“Then where are the so-called things you picked up?”

My throat tightened. “I… I didn’t bring them in. I, uh, left them in the car.”

His eyes narrowed. 

“In the car? Funny, because I just had the assistant park it in the garage, and he told me nothing was left inside.”

I was at a loss for words, and Xeros' voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. 

“Did you really go home… or were you out meeting some other man?”

My heart was beating against my ribs like a hammer– I couldn’t tell whether it was out of fear, guilt, or confusion. 

“What… what do you mean?” 

Xeros took a step towards me, slow and deliberate. 

“Don’t play dumb, I know you understood exactly what I meant.”

His presence was overwhelming, like a storm pressing down on the air around me.

I bit down on my lip, instinctively stepping back as he tried to close the distance between us. 

“Ahh!!”

Pain shot up my leg as I accidentally stepped on the heel of my own shoes; so sharp and sudden that I lost my balance instantly. 

I closed my eyes tightly, letting out a yelp as I braced myself for pain. 

Instead, I found myself floating in a cloud of warmth. A strong, muscular arm was curled around my back, while the other was holding my hand lightly, keeping me in place. 

He pulled me toward him, and the soft brush of his breath tickled my lips. 

I opened my eyes and found myself staring directly into his honey-brown eyes that stole the air from my lungs. 

I knew his shoulders were broad, but damn…with my body pressed against his, I could feel every muscle bunching under the soft fabric of his shirt. 

His hand, large and warm, was splayed across my lower back, putting just enough pressure to keep me close. 

My heartbeat roared in my ears, so loud that he would surely have heard it loud and clear. 

God, have mercy!