Emma's POV Ryan stood at the altar, his eyes never leaving me as I walked towards him. I felt my heart swell as I saw the emotion in his gaze, the love that radiated from him like warmth from the sun. He was everything I had ever wanted and more.As we exchanged vows, the words seemed to come naturally, as if we had always known what to say.“Emma,” Ryan began, his voice steady but thick with emotion, “From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You challenged me, pushed me, and made me a better man. I promise to love you every day, to support you, and to stand by your side no matter what life throws at us. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, making new memories, building our future together.”Tears welled up in my eyes as I said my vows, my voice trembling but clear. “Ryan, you’ve shown me what love really is. You’ve been patient with me, even when I was difficult, and you’ve loved me unconditionally. I promise to love you with all my heart, to be your part
Emma's POV The car ride was short, the neon lights of the Strip blurring past as we made our way to the hotel. It was a place we had chosen together, a blend of luxury and intimacy, somewhere we could begin our new life together away from prying eyes. The city outside was alive with energy, but inside the car, there was a different kind of electricity, one that crackled between us, unspoken yet undeniable.When we arrived at the hotel, Ryan helped me out of the car, his hand warm and reassuring in mine. The lobby was grand, with marble floors and glittering chandeliers, but all I could focus on was him. As we checked in, I felt a flutter in my chest, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was it—our first night as husband and wife. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, because of fear, not of excitement. I hope he doesn't get disappointed. What if he gets annoyed because I can't respond to him as he wanted? Everything was about to change, and I was not sure if I was ready
Emma's POV Ryan’s hands slid down my arms, his thumbs brushing lightly over my skin, sending a shiver through me. I was hyper-aware of every sensation, every touch, as though my body was teetering on the edge of something unknown and terrifying.“You’re shaking,” he observed, his voice tinged with concern. “Emma, please talk to me. What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”I hesitated, the words lodged in my throat, choking me. How could I tell him that I was afraid? That despite all the love I felt for him, I feared my body would betray me? I feared I wouldn’t be able to respond to him in the way he desired, in the way a wife should.Finally, I found my voice, though it was shaky and uncertain. “I—I’m just… scared, Ryan.”“Scared?” He tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing. “Of what? Me? ”“Of… of disappointing you, I told you that I was... That I won’t be able to… to satisfy you.” I whispered, my eyes dropping to the floor, unable to meet his gaze. The words hung in
Emma's POV The kiss was achingly slow, each movement of his lips against mine deliberate and careful, as if...as if, he was exploring new territory, testing the waters before diving in.The world around us seemed to fade, the only reality that mattered was the connection between our lips. His hand moved from my cheek to the nape of my neck, his fingers tangling gently in my hair as he deepened the kiss, still slow, still so tender, but with a growing heat that made my heart race. There was no rush, no urgency, just the steady build of something powerful, something that set my entire body alight with a sensation I hadn’t allowed myself to feel before.I could feel his other hand resting on my waist, his thumb stroking small, soothing circles against my skin through the fabric of my dress. It was such a simple touch, yet it sent sparks of electricity through me, heightening every sensation. The kiss grew deeper, more insistent, but never demanding. He was coaxing me, guiding me with a
Emma's POV For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes searching mine as if he was memorizing every detail. He smiled, that beautiful, boyish smile that I had fallen in love with, and kissed me again, this time softer, more tender, as if sealing the promise we had made to each other.I felt my knees weaken, my heart racing as I melted into him, my hands slipping up to tangle in his hair. The world around us disappeared once more, leaving only the two of us, bound together by something deeper than words or vows. This was love in its purest form, untainted by doubt or fear. It was the love I had always dreamed of but never thought I would find.When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting together as we tried to catch our breath. His hands still held my face, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks, and I knew, in that moment, that I was exactly where I was meant to be."Welcome to forever, Mrs.Taylor," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, and I fel
Emma's POV Ryan’s lips left mine, trailing a path of kisses down my neck, each one sending a new wave of sensation rippling through me. My hands found their way into his hair, threading through the soft strands as I tilted my head back, giving him better access. And as his mouth moved lower, his hands began to roam, exploring every inch of my body with a reverence that made me feel cherished, worshipped.When he reached the swell of my bust, he paused, his breath warm against my skin. I could feel the hesitation in him, the unspoken question. Was I ready? Could I do this?But there was no doubt in my mind now. I wanted this. I wanted him.“Ryan,” I whispered, my voice husky with desire I hadn’t realised was there. “Please…”" What happened?? You don't want to go ahead?? It's ok!! Calm down. " He said. "Umm... I don't know... Maybe I don't want you to stop." I asked him hesitantly.My words were all the encouragement he needed. His mouth closed over the tight rosy bud, and I gasped,
Emma's POV I could feel the tension coiling within me, tightening with every touch, every kiss. It was a tension that was both familiar and utterly foreign, a sensation I had never allowed myself to experience fully. But Ryan was different. With him, I felt safe and secure—free to let go, to surrender to the feelings I had kept locked away for so long.And then, just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he shifted, his mouth finding its way back to mine. The kiss was deep and urgent, his tongue sweeping into my mouth in a way that made me moan with need. I could feel the heat of him, the strength of his body pressing against mine, and I knew—I knew I couldn’t hold back any longer.I wanted him. All of him. In a way, I had never wanted anyone before.My hands moved to his shoulders, tugging at the fabric of his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He seemed to understand because, within moments, his shirt was gone, and I was finally able to run my hands over the hard pla
Emma's POV For a long moment, we lay there, tangled together, our bodies still trembling with the aftermath of our lovemaking. I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, and it was at that moment that I realized—truly realized—that I had nothing to fear. With Ryan, I could be myself, completely and utterly. He loved me, all of me, and that was all that mattered.Finally, he lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine. There was no need for words—everything we had felt, everything we had shared, was written in the depths of his gaze.“I love you,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.“I love you too,” I replied, my voice trembling slightly. “More than you could ever know.”He smiled then, that slow, tender smile that had first drawn me to him, and leaned down to kiss me again. It was a kiss filled with love, with promise, with the certainty that we had a lifetime ahead of us to explore this new, deeper connection.As we lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I knew that eve
Emma's POV The hours that followed blurred together—Ryan by my side, holding my hand, whispering words of encouragement. He whispered words of encouragement, his gaze full of love and strength, his fingers tracing soft circles over my skin, soothing me. His strength became my strength, his voice a lifeline. Every time I looked into his eyes, I felt anchored, loved, and understood in a way that words could never express.At last, the moment came. I heard the first wail, and as they placed her in my arms, I felt the first weight of her in my arms and a rush of love so deep, it was overwhelming, and my heart expanded in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Ryan was beside me, his eyes fixed on her with a look of absolute awe. He kissed my forehead, his voice thick with emotion. “She’s beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. His hand cradled her tiny head, and he looked at me, eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Emma,” he whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss to m
Emma's POV One month had passed since our island escape, and coming back to the life we’d built here felt different now—lighter somehow as if love had settled into every corner of our home. Ryan had slipped into our family life effortlessly, filling each day with small acts of tenderness that wove us closer together. For the first time in so long, I felt whole.But nothing could have prepared me for the morning. I realized my life was about to change once again.The signs were subtle at first—just an unusual fatigue, a lingering wave of dizziness now and then. I brushed it off as the after-effects of our busy schedules. But soon the signs became clearer, and I found myself looking down at a positive pregnancy test, a swirl of emotions overwhelming me. I sat there, staring at it, joy and disbelief intermingling. I was going to have another baby.Ryan came home later that evening, his face lighting up as he saw me. He wrapped me in his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Hey,
Emma's POV We headed back to our suite, but Ryan had one last surprise waiting for me. When we entered the room, the lights were dimmed, and the air was filled with the scent of jasmine and vanilla.A path of rose petals led to the bathroom, where a luxurious bubble bath had been drawn, candles flickering around the edges of the tub.“Ryan…” I gasped, turning to him with wide eyes. “Did you—?”He grinned, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my cheek. “I figured after a day like today, you deserved a little pampering.”My heart swelled with love for this man, who knew exactly how to make every moment special. He led me to the tub, helping me slip into the warm, fragrant water before joining me. The bubbles rose around us, and I leaned back against his chest, closing my eyes as his hands massaged my shoulders.We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound of the gentle lapping of the water and the soft flicker of the candles. It was peaceful, intimate, and everyth
Emma's POV After several hours in the sky, we began our descent, and I noticed a glimmer of turquoise below, almost like a hidden jewel nestled in a sea of endless blue. As we got closer, I could make out an island ringed with pristine beaches, the sunlight casting golden highlights across the sand. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the scene—the untouched beauty of white sand, palm trees swaying gently, the promise of secluded beaches.“This is…all yours?” I asked, a sense of disbelief coloring my words. It felt almost unreal.Ryan laughed softly, wrapping an arm around me. “Not just mine. Ours. Consider this our private retreat.The thought of it—an entire island, untouched and serene, where we could simply be together—sent a thrill through me. Once we landed, a small team greeted us, but they quickly disappeared after helping us settle in. It was just the two of us, alone in paradise.Ryan wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close against him. I leaned into his c
Emma's POV Once we were certain that Daniel and Evan were safely behind bars, I felt like I could finally exhale. It was surreal to think that the shadows of their crimes—murder, kidnapping, so many lives shattered—were now confined, unable to reach us. The damage, though, still lingered, especially in Eva’s life.Daniel’s conviction allowed her to obtain a swift divorce and full custody of their son, Danny. But while she had her freedom, she deserved a chance at happiness too.Eva had been through unimaginable hardship, and now, with a young son, Danny, to care for, her life was far from settled. Thankfully, the charges against Daniel made it relatively easy for her to get a divorce and secure sole custody of Danny. Still, she was young and had lost much; it wasn’t right for her to face the future on her own.Ryan, in his characteristic way of looking after people, was the first to offer support. It was Ryan who first suggested a way to help her move forward. He introduced her to on
Ryan's POV As the officers secured him in handcuffs and began reading him his rights, I turned to Emma. She was still trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as though trying to shield herself from the horrors she’d just endured. Her eyes, red and puffy from tears, met mine, and I saw a mix of relief and determination there.“Ryan,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “There’s something you need to know.”I stepped closer, my hand brushing against hers in a gesture of comfort. “What is it?”She hesitated, glancing at James, who clung to my side, his small fingers gripping my shirt. I knelt, cupping his face gently.“It’s okay, buddy,” I murmured. “Everything’s going to be fine now.”I turned to one of the officers. “Can someone take my son outside? He doesn’t need to hear this.”An officer nodded, extending his hand toward James. “Hey, champ, why don’t you come with me? We’ve got some juice and snacks in the car.”James looked at me, uncertainty flickering in his wide
Ryan's POV With a swift kick, the door slammed open, the sound reverberating like a gunshot through the room. Evan spun around, startled but not surprised. He stood over Emma and James, both bound to chairs. My heart clenched as I took in their faces—pale but alive, their eyes widening in shock and relief at the sight of us.“Emma,” I murmured, my voice low but filled with urgency. “It’s alright. I’m here.”Relief seemed to flood through her, and she nearly collapsed in the chair as if she had been holding her breath, the tension finally breaking. But there was no time to rest. Evan was already recovering, his face twisted with rage.“You,” he spat, his voice dripping with hatred. “Always ruining everything.”“This ends now, Evan,” I said, “You’ve done enough.”Evan laughed, “Oh, you think you’re the hero now? After everything you took from me?”My jaw tightened, and my fists clenched at my sides. “I didn’t take anything from you, Evan. You did this to yourself.”Evan’s face twisted
Ryan's POV Just ahead, I saw tire marks in the mud, leading away from the area. I crouched down, examining them, my mind racing. I followed the impressions of the tires in the mud and was shocked by what I saw ahead.I saw a car, just like mine, with the same number.What the hell?He used this to make them think it was me, not him, so they’d believe him.I saw a candy wrapper lying there—a Swiss chocolate candy I’d bought for my son. I picked it up, frustration coursing through me, a flood of helplessness rising with it. I was used to solving problems with precision, but here, every step felt like I was grasping at shadows. Emma and James were out there somewhere—alone, scared, with that monster.Gritting my teeth, I swore I’d kill that man. For the first time in years, I felt powerless, as if everything I valued was slipping through my fingers.Finally, the team managed to pinpoint Emma’s phone’s last ping just outside an abandoned cottage—the perfect hiding place. A surge of deter
Ryan's POV Then, the final revelation, the one that sent a chill through my veins. “Evan doesn’t just want to ruin you, Ryan,” Daniel said, his eyes glinting with perverse satisfaction. “He wants to be you. He’s been planning this for months. Changing his look, studying you—down to your bloody mannerisms. He’s got a way out, a clean record. No one would question it if he walked right back into your life, because no one would know.”The room fell silent, his words hanging in the air, heavier than anything I’d imagined. Evan planned to kill us, to eliminate every trace of my existence, and then live as me—he’d done everything necessary to erase his old life and assume mine, seamlessly.The realization gripped me like a vice. Emma and James were in the hands of a man who was not only ruthless but methodical, who wouldn’t hesitate to kill them just to ensure his twisted plan played out perfectly. I could feel the rage, the cold, calculated fury that settled deep in my bones, overriding t