Emma's POV His expression softened, and he stepped closer, dropping his voice to what I’m sure he thought was a seductive murmur. “I know you can, Emma. But it doesn’t hurt to have someone looking out for you.”I felt my patience slipping. “Peter, I appreciate your concern, but—”Before I could finish, the door to my office swung open with an abruptness that made me jump. And there he was – Ryan, standing in the doorway, his face a mask of cold fury. His eyes, stormy and intense, flicked between Peter and me, narrowing as they settled on Peter. “Well, isn’t this cozy,” Ryan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I didn’t realize you were entertaining guests.”Peter, completely unfazed, turned to face Ryan with a grin. “Ah, you must be Ryan. Heard a lot about you.”Ryan’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “I’m sure you have,” he muttered darkly. Then, addressing me, he said, “Is everything alright here, Emma? You seemed to be… in deep conversation.”I could see the jealousy swirling in Ryan’s
Emma's POV As soon as the door closed behind him, I turned to Ryan, my hands trembling with anger. “What the hell was that?” I asked. Ryan’s expression softened, but the possessiveness was still there, lurking beneath the surface. “I was just reminding him of where things stand.”“You embarrassed me!” I snapped. “I’m trying to maintain some level of professionalism here, and you just—”“Professionalism?” he scoffed. “You’re still my wife, Emma. That hasn’t changed, no matter how hard you try to forget it. How dare he talk to you like that?”I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I left you years ago, Ryan. I want nothing to do with our past now.”Ryan stepped closer, his eyes intense. “You can’t just run away from it. You’re mine, and you always will be.”I felt a lump rise in my throat, but I swallowed it down. “I don’t belong to you, Ryan. Not anymore.”Ryan didn’t speak for a long moment, and when he did, his voice was cold and controlled. “He seemed… very fond of you.
Emma's POV Ryan’s eyes softened for a moment, his anger giving way to something more vulnerable. “You could’ve told me,” he said quietly.“Told you what?” I asked, confused.“That he’s been flirting with you. I would have taken care,” he said. I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I didn’t think it mattered. I can handle Peter.”Ryan stared at me for a long moment, then turned away, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe that’s the problem,” he muttered. “You always think you can handle everything. Well, this man will never bother you, but I am not going to stop unless I find the one you think is your lifeline,” he said, and I gulped. I was scared that he was close to finding my secret. He hovered around my desk more than usual, finding no excuse to invade my space.I didn’t know what to say to that. The tension between us was thick, and I could feel the weight of Ryan’s jealousy pressing down on me.He asked me to come to his cabin. I nodded, though I knew this was far from over. Ryan’
Emma's POV As instructed, I picked up my handbag, my laptop, and my phone and went to work in his cabin. Sitting on the opposite side of his table, I started working on the pile of files. He was working on something else on his laptop. I felt his hot gaze on me a few times, and when I looked up, I saw him pressing his head a bit, and he even winced. " What happened to you?" I asked before I could stop myself. " Let it be... How does it matter to you that you have moved on with your lifeline..." A pang of guilt hit me, unexpected and unwelcome. He hadn’t eaten anything either, and I knew that he could not remain hungry; he was a big-time foodie, and it was because of me. " Ryan, have something, you are hungry. See, you are already having a headache. Have food and take medicine." I said. "Thanks for your advice, but I don't follow your instructions anymore since you have moved on and you are not my boss now." He said sarcastically. He picked up the intercom and called Kate to ge
Emma's POV " It is not a massage parlor, you must try working in one if you ever get fired from here. " I replied. " Fired?? But why? " She was taken aback and looked at Ryan. " Why would Kate get fired, Ms Jones? She is such a loving and caring secretary and cares so much for me. I would be a fool to fire her if she can massage like this. Thank you, Kate." He said flashing another killing smile of his. " Great!! Please enjoy your massage thoroughly. I will go and work in my cabin." " Keep sitting there, Ms Jones. You will not leave till all these files are completed." " Oh, don't worry, I will not leave before I finish all of them. I just want to give you some privacy while having a head massage so that you can enjoy it without any inhibitions. " " Don't worry, I am feeling much better now. Kate, you have magical fingers. Thanks. You may go now. " Ruan said to her with a smile. " Do you want me to get something that you want? " " Thanks for asking, but I will get what I want
Emma's POV " Yeah, Kate, please join him, I have some important phone calls to make. Excuse me, Mr Taylor." I got up to go out when I heard his firm voice. " Em...Ms Jones! Stay here. These are working hours, and if your calls are related to work, then you can make calls from here, and if they are personal... Let me remind you that this is the office, and these are working hours; you are not supposed to make personal calls during working hours. " He said looking angry. " Wow! I didn't know Mr Taylor had a different set of rules for him and his employees. " I said sarcastically. "Sir, thanks for inviting me to have lunch but I have already had the food you gave me earlier. But thanks a lot, it was a sweet gesture. Enjoy your meal." Kate said and went away. He just nodded still looking at me. " Come back and sit here. " He said pointing towards the chair. " No, invite someone else to have it, I am sure you will find someone to share your food with." I shook my head. " Fine, go a
Emma's POV “I’m not asking you to forget what happened,” he said softly. “I’m asking for a chance to make it right. To show you how much I love you, we can be happy together.”My heart ached at his words, torn between the love I had once felt for him and the fear of being hurt again. “I don’t know if I can trust you again. I hate you... I had never loved anyone the way I loved you... and you... " I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.Ryan’s expression softened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the man I had fallen in love with all those years ago. “I’ll earn your trust back, Emma,” he promised, his voice steady and sure. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”I wanted to believe him—I really did. But the wounds from the past were still fresh, and the fear of reopening them was too great." I am afraid, that's not possible now. That Emma was dead that day.” I shook my head and said. " No, she is right here in front of me. " " You are highly mistaken; let me tell you you are wasting
Emma's POV Flashback... After wedding... Honeymoon Ryan and I found a quiet moment to ourselves in the garden. The night was cool, the stars twinkling overhead, and the soft glow of the lanterns gave the scene a magical quality. Ryan turned to me, his expression serious."Emma," he began, his voice low, "let's go to our room; I have been dying to have you all to myself."" Really? But why?" " Do I need to tell you that?? How can you look so pretty when we have people around the band? I can't have my way with you. " " Awww... Sorry for looking pretty, but there were so many handsome men at the party, I had to look good. " I said just like that but his eyes narrowed dangerously. " What... Did... You... Just... Say? " " What?? " " You got ready for other men to appreciate it?? " He said coming very close to me. I got scared at the way his expression changed immediately. " Ryan?? Ryan... What happened... You know I was kidding. What happened? You know how I am, then how can you..
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