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Chapter 156
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Hired Fiance Chapter 157
Emma's POV The following morning, the air in our home felt different, like a subtle shift that I couldn't quite place. Ryan had been quieter than usual, contemplative, as though something weighed on his mind. I watched him from the kitchen, noting the furrow in his brow and the distant look in his eyes, hoping he’d share what was troubling him, but I didn’t want to press. Ryan wasn’t the kind of man to let things weigh on him lightly, so whatever was bothering him must have been significant. Yet he hadn’t said a word. I was tempted to ask, to pry into whatever was going on, but something told me to wait, to let him come to me when he was ready. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change, but before I could voice my concern, his phone rang, breaking the stillness. He glanced at the screen, and I saw his expression shift the moment he answered. His usual calm exterior broke, and I watched as worry etched deep lines into his face.He answered it, and I watched as
Hired Fiance Chapter 158
Emma's POV I opened my mouth to argue, but then I hesitated and bit my lip, torn between wanting to support him and understanding the precarious situation with his grandfather. I had my own experience with emotionally charged family members. My mother and grandmother could be incredibly sensitive when it comes to family matters, especially weddings and introductions. And while I loved them dearly, I understood how delicate such matters could be. If his grandfather was anything like them, this wasn’t the right time.“But what about you?” I asked softly, searching Ryan’s face. “I don’t want you to go through this alone.”“I won’t be alone,” he reassured me. “The doctors are with him, and his staff are there to take care of everything. I just need to get there as quickly as I can.” A part of me wanted to insist on going, to be by his side through whatever awaited him. But I also understood his concern, and I didn’t want to make a difficult situation even more complicated.“I’ll stay,”
Hired Fiance Chapter 159
Emma's POV The week felt like a whirlwind. Between my exhibition, managing clients, and making sure everything was perfect, I barely had a moment to breathe. The exhibition had been on my calendar for months, and as one of the most renowned fashion designers in the country, expectations were always high. People from all over the industry had been invited, and this time, it wasn’t just a showcase of my evening gowns and bridal wear—it was an auction.I poured every ounce of my energy into preparing for it, despite the worry gnawing at the back of my mind about Ryan and his grandfather. Every day we spoke on Skype or through video calls, and each time, the concern on Ryan’s face grew deeper. He would give me updates about his grandfather, and although his condition hadn’t worsened, it hadn’t improved either.“I don’t understand,” Ryan had told me during one of our late-night video calls. “His health was fine just a few weeks ago. Now, it’s like he’s holding on, but barely.”I could see
Hired Fiance Chapter 160
Emma's POV “Wow! What a grand welcome,” he chuckled, his arms tightening around me. “I didn’t know you missed me this much. If I had, I would’ve come back sooner.”“I wish you had,” I whispered against his chest. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? And how is your grandfather?”“He’s still the same,” Ryan said, his tone softening. “But I couldn’t miss this—being with you, seeing you in your element. So I came. I’ll stay for a few days, catch up on some work at the office here, and then head back. Maybe this time, you can come with me if things are better.”I nodded, my heart still racing from the surprise of seeing him. I couldn’t believe he was here—after all the stress and worry, after all the work, Ryan had made it back to me.Later that evening, we attended a small post-exhibition party, but despite the success and the elation I should have been feeling, I couldn’t shake an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. The day had taken its toll on me, and as the night wore on, I starte
Hired Fiance Chapter 161
Emma's POV “Ryan, please,” I gasped, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks, not from desire, but from the oncoming sickness. But he wasn’t listening. His hands were insistent, pulling me closer as if he could will me into wanting what he wanted.Before I knew it, the nausea won out, and I threw up—right on his chest.His reaction was immediate. He cursed under his breath and let go of me, standing back with a mixture of shock and disgust on his face. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and then, without a word, he turned and stormed out of the room. I heard the door to the guest bedroom slam shut, and I was left alone, sick and bewildered.The next morning, I tried to explain. After a long shower and a bit of rest, I felt slightly better, but Ryan was still clearly annoyed. I could see it in the way he avoided my eyes and the tightness in his jaw when I tried to approach him.“Ryan, I’m sorry about last night,” I said softly, reaching for his hand. “I’ve been feeling so sick lately.
Hired Fiance Chapter 162
Emma's POV The receptionist greeted me with a polite smile and informed me that Ryan was in his office. I thanked her and made my way to the elevator, the prospect of seeing him and mending our strained relationship brightening my spirits.The elevator doors opened, and I walked down the corridor toward Ryan’s office. The corridor was unusually quiet, with only the soft hum of office equipment and the occasional murmur of distant conversations. I approached Ryan’s office door, feeling a mixture of eagerness and trepidation.When I arrived at his office, I was greeted by his assistant, who gave me a sympathetic smile as she showed me into Ryan’s private office. He was sitting behind his desk, frowning at his computer screen, clearly engrossed in whatever he was working on. He looked up when I entered, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—surprise, perhaps—cross his face. But then his expression shifted back to the same tired frustration I had seen that morning.“Emma,” he sa
Hired Fiance Chapter 163
Emma's POV The next few days were a blur of exhaustion and disappointment. I continued to feel unwell, the pregnancy symptoms making even simple tasks seem Herculean. Ryan was busy with the office and his grandfather’s condition, and our interactions were brief and strained. He seemed to be struggling to balance his professional life with the personal turmoil of his grandfather’s health, and my presence—my need for support and affection—seemed to only add to his stress.I did my best to be patient and to give him the space he needed while trying to manage my own emotional and physical well-being. I had scheduled follow-up appointments with my doctor, trying to stay on top of the health checks for both myself and the baby. But it was hard not to feel hurt by Ryan’s distance. He was preoccupied with his work and his family issues, and while I understood that he was under immense pressure, it didn’t make the situation any easier for me.One evening, as I sat alone in the living room, th
Hired Fiance Chapter 164
Emma's POV I remained frozen, my hands limp in my lap, staring at the space where he had been just moments ago. What had happened to him? To us? How had the man I thought I knew turned into this cold, insensitive stranger? He hadn’t always been like this. We had been in love once, hadn’t we? Or had I been fooling myself all along?A knot tightened in my stomach as his words replayed in my head. Abort the child for us, he had said, as though it were some minor inconvenience to rid ourselves of. My baby. Our baby. And yet, he wanted to erase it from existence as if it meant nothing. I blinked hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. No. I would not cry. I would not allow myself that luxury.He’s just stressed, I reasoned with myself. He’s been acting strange ever since he returned from his grandfather’s. He must be overwhelmed with everything, that’s all. He doesn’t mean what he’s saying. He can’t. When things calm down, when I explain properly, surely he’ll see sen
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