Ryan's POV Great! Simply great!! Now you see, my love, how I won you back; no matter what happened in the past, I am going to resolve it and have you in my home, in my bed, and my arms, soon, very soon. You are mine!! Emma's POV “Fine,” Ryan said, finally relenting, though his tone was still far too smug for my liking. “If you insist on your flat, we’ll go there. But don’t think this is over, Emma. We’ll talk more about what’s best for James.”I glared at him but said nothing; he drove back toward my flat. I was looking out of the window. Just then James asked from the back seat, “Mummy! Can we stop for lunch? I’m starving!”“Starving?” Ryan scoffed dramatically, quickening his pace to catch up with James. “Didn't you eat breakfast, son?”James giggled. “But that was 3 hours ago! I’m a growing boy.”Ryan smiled at him through the rearview mirror. “Alright, alright. You’re right. A growing boy needs fuel. How about we stop at that diner just up the street? The one with those massive
Emma's POV Ryan raised an eyebrow but didn’t press it. Instead, he turned back to James. “So, mate, I’ve been thinking. Once we finish this monstrous milkshake, we should plan something fun. You know, a real adventure. How about we build a fort when we get home? Or…” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “We could camp in the living room tonight. I’ll bring my torch, and we’ll tell scary stories. What do you say?”James gasped, bouncing in his seat. “Can we, Mummy? Please? Can we camp in the living room?”I blinked at them, half-expecting Ryan to burst out laughing at the absurdity of his suggestion. But he was dead serious—and so was James. “I don’t think we have space for that…”Ryan cut in, shaking his head. “Emma, where’s your sense of adventure? We don’t need space. We’ll make it work. Move some furniture, throw down some blankets. It’ll be like we’re out in the wild!”“Camping… in my flat?” I asked, incredulous.“Exactly,” Ryan said, giving me a grin that I both hated and… found a l
Emma's POV Suddenly, James tugged at my sleeve, pulling me from my thoughts. “Mummy, are you okay?”I forced a smile, nodding. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”Ryan’s eyes flickered toward me, his expression softening for just a moment before he turned back to James. “Right, let’s finish up and get home. We’ve got a living room to camp in, remember?”As we left the diner, James happily chatted about all the “camping” supplies they’d need; I couldn’t shake the growing unease in my chest. Ryan was laughing and planning with James as if we were a normal family, but things were far from normal. I wasn’t sure if I could let my guard down.One thing was clear, though: James was thrilled. And as long as he was happy, I would go along with their ridiculous plans… even if it meant letting Ryan be a little too close for comfort.We reached my home, and he stopped the car; before he could say Anything, I got out of the car, turned on my heel, and headed for the door. He followed behind me, his footsteps
Emma's POV " Would not it have been better if we had gone to my hotel room? " He asked and I glared. He raised his hands in surrender, still smiling. “Alright, alright. Just offering. But you know, with the three of us in that one little bedroom tonight, it’s going to get cozy.”I nearly choked on the water, I was drinking, my face flushing. “Excuse me?”James, completely oblivious to the innuendo, laughed. “It’ll be like camping, Mummy!”Ryan grinned at me, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Yeah, like camping. Just us three… all snug and close. Cozy.” he winked. Idiot! As if...But I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. “You’ll be on the sofa, Ryan. Don’t even think otherwise.”He chuckled, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping so only I could hear. “Oh, c'mon, Emma, we both know, you will enjoy having me in bed. Don't bother to deny it.”I glared at him, ignoring the way his nearness sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. This wasn’t happening. I was not going to let him
Emma's POV As I searched through the cupboards, pulling out bags of crisps, marshmallows, and some leftover biscuits, I couldn’t help but listen to the laughter coming from the living room. James was full of giggles, and Ryan—he had this way of making everything seem like an adventure. I heard furniture scraping against the floor and Ryan giving exaggerated instructions as if they were on a grand expedition.For dinner, I prepared, Pasta bake (cheesy, family-friendly, simple but comforting, perfect for their mood of a cozy night in the camp.I peered around the kitchen doorway to see them dragging chairs into the middle of the room, draping blankets over the top to create their makeshift tent. Ryan was completely in his element, crouched on the floor with James, carefully placing cushions inside their new “camp.” I had to admit, it was adorable watching the two of them.“Careful with that blanket,” Ryan said in an overly dramatic tone. “This is no ordinary blanket, James. This is our
Emma's POV James, completely oblivious, clung to the edge of the blanket, his excitement bubbling over. “Dad, what was the scariest thing you’ve ever seen?”Ryan shifted closer to me, his leg brushing against mine, sending a shudder through my body that I tried to ignore. “Hmm,” Ryan mused, pretending to think while his fingers traced small, lazy circles on my knee. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to react. Not in front of James.“The scariest thing?” Ryan repeated, his hand inching higher towards my core creating havoc in me. “I think it’s when your mummy tries to drive on the motorway.” he winked at me. Idiot!! James burst out laughing, his giggles filling the small space, while I elbowed Ryan sharply in the ribs. “Very funny, I drive perfectly. I was worried about James. ” I muttered, shifting slightly to move his hand away.But Ryan, the persistent devil that he was, simply smirked and let his hand slide right back, resting it lightly on my waist this time. Th
Emma's POV " We should be comfortable and yet should sit as close as possible to be more cosy and safe, in case some ghost comes here. " He said already shifting behind me." Dad!!! A ghost can come here??" He looked scared " Maybe... Ghosts are naughty. " Ryan said smirking at me. " Momm!!!" James caught my hand tightly. " Don't worry, honey, I will kill the ghost if it tries to be naughty," I said, glaring at him over my shoulder, and he burst out laughing. " What is so funny? " I asked. "Isn't your Mom very cute and funny, James? She can't kill the ghost; they are too stubborn and naughty. Do what they like; you can't stop him. " " Mom, a ghost is already dead, how will you kill it?" He also started laughing. " I can kill a few stubborn, notorious ghosts." I glared at Ryan. He whispered against my ear, 'Kill me with your lips, Love. Kiss me, every inch of me. I will die out of pleasure." I hit him in his ribs with my elbow. He just chuckled. Idiot!!!My back was plastered
Emma's POV " Yey!! Let me get the snacks. " James got out of the tent. " You are so soft... I want to bury myself in you..." He said as soon as James went away." Shut up! And get away from me." I tried to get out of his arms but he tightened his arms around me." Why don't you accept that your body is melting against mine." He said. " Ryan! Back off! " " No! I am having fun with my family." Just then James brought the snacks in. They both started enjoying the snacks and made me eat too. While Ryan's left hand was still on my belly, holding me against him. While James was busy telling his story. I was just aware that he was saying something while Ryan's reactions seemed to be normal as if he was not holding me. James was still very happy and excited.God! Please put him to sleep. " Let's go out and have dinner as well. I prepared your favorite, baked pasta." I tried to tempt James with his favorite dish as I wanted to go out of there. " No! Wait! I will get that too. " He wen
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