Chapter 1

Emma stepped into the office, her skin still tingling from the Mediterranean sun, her mind struggling to switch from holiday mode. The ten days she had spent backpacking through Europe with her five-year-old son had been a much-needed escape from the humdrum of her daily life, a break Henry and Hazel had practically forced upon her as she had not met her son since she had put him in a boarding school.

 Now, she was back, carrying a large bag filled with souvenirs for her colleagues, ready to settle into her usual routine. She had lots of gifts in her car for Henery and Hazel, the couple who were the only couple she cared for now. And who helped her when she was most vulnerable. 

They gave her a job and helped her raise her son till now. She was extremely lucky to have them and missed them a lot on the vacation 

But as she walked through the familiar corridors of HW Financial Consultancy, something felt amiss. The office, typically abuzz with activity, was eerily quiet. Her colleagues, usually full of chatter, wore expressions of unease.

"What's with all the long faces?" Emma called out, attempting to lighten the mood. "Surely there hasn't been a catastrophe while I've been away?"

Jane, her junior assistant, looked up from her desk, her face pale. "You haven’t heard?"

"Heard what?" Emma's honey-brown eyes narrowed slightly.

"About the takeover... and Mr. Wilson," Jane stammered. Emma looked around, expecting someone else to chime in, but the rest of the office remained silent, clearly leaving Jane to deliver the news.

"The takeover? I’m completely in the dark here. And what’s Mr Wilson got to do with it?" Emma’s voice was edged with impatience.

"He doesn’t… not anymore," Jane replied hesitantly. "Mr Wilson’s gone—retired early, or something like that. It all happened last Friday when the takeover was announced. He left the same day."

Emma’s heart sank. Henry Wilson had been more than just her boss; he was her mentor, the one who had given her a chance when she had nowhere else to turn.

"I’ve been out of reach, staying with a friend overnight…" Emma’s voice trailed off as the weight of Jane’s words began to sink in. "Are you telling me Henry was… pushed out?" she asked, her voice faint.

Jane nodded, her expression sympathetic. "The new owner insisted." 

" What the hell? How can this new owner do that to him? Who is this man?" 

" His name is Ryan Taylor." She replied. 

Emma froze, the blood draining from her face. "Ryan Taylor?" The name was a ghost from her past, a specter she had never expected to encounter again.

A shudder went through her...

Jane nodded again. "Yes, do you know him?"

"N...no, of course not," Emma lied, her voice barely steady. "I just remember reading about him somewhere… that’s all."

"Really? Care to share what you’ve read about me, Miss…?"

The deep, resonant voice behind her made Emma’s blood run cold. She turned slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Standing in the doorway was Ryan Taylor, every bit as imposing as she remembered.

 Tall, dark-haired, impeccably dressed, he was the very picture of wealth and power. His presence dominated the room, just as it had always dominated her thoughts.

"Miss Jones," Jane quickly supplied.

"Miss Jones, is it?" Ryan’s voice was deceptively calm. "And your full name, if you please?"

"Emma Jones," Jane answered for her, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air. "She’s our assistant financial consultant, took over after Mr Wilson."

"Ah, I see." Ryan’s gaze fixed on Emma, his eyes cool and assessing. "So, Miss Jones, you’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence—four days late, I might add."

"I don’t owe you any explanations," Emma shot back, her temper flaring.

"On the contrary," Ryan’s tone turned icy. "You’re my employee now, and I have every right to know where you’ve been."

Jane, sensing the tension, interjected nervously. "She’s been on leave for ten days, sir… Mr Wilson insisted she take a break."

Emma looked tense as she didn't want Jane to say anything about her. 

"Ten days?" Ryan’s eyebrow arched. "Quite the extended leave. I wonder what Mr. Wilson was thinking, granting such a favor to his assistant during a crucial period."

"Mr Taylor!" Emma glared at him, taking a step back as he moved closer. She was more than tense but tried to show that she was just so annoyed. 

"Answer me," Ryan demanded, but Emma held her ground, her silence a defiant challenge.

"Miss… perhaps you could enlighten me?" Ryan turned his gaze to Jane, who gulped nervously.

"She’s one of our best consultants," Jane began, but Emma cut her off.

"That’s enough, Jane. Get back to work," Emma ordered sharply. She left immediately. 

"Nice to see you again, Emma," Ryan said, his eyes locking onto hers.

For a moment, Emma was speechless. She was looking at the man who fathered her child. Her son resembled his dad so much that she could never forget his face even if she wanted it so desperately. But her son was so cute and this man standing here was a devil. 

 Memories of their tumultuous relationship surged back—passion, betrayal, and the desperate flight that had led her to this very place. She had loved him once, loved him so deeply it had nearly destroyed her. But that love had long since curdled into something bitter.

"Ryan," she managed, her voice trembling. "What are you doing here?"

"I own the company now," he replied smoothly as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "And I’ve taken over as managing director."

The ground seemed to shift beneath Emma’s feet. "Why?"

"Miss Jones, we need to talk," Ryan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "In private. Come to my office."

"I’m sorry, Mr Taylor, but I’m not your employee. I worked for Henry, and if he’s gone, then so am I. You’ll have my resignation on your desk before the end of the day."

"I’m afraid that’s not possible," Ryan replied coolly. "I bought this firm, along with all its assets and liabilities. You, Miss Jones, are one of those assets." He said. She was still thinking what to say. 

"Come with me, or I’ll have to escort you myself," he added, his voice lowering to a menacing whisper. "I’d hate to make a scene in front of your colleagues."

His words left her with no choice. The office had gone silent, all eyes on them. Reluctantly, she let him lead her to what had once been Henry’s office. The door closed behind them with a soft click, shutting out the prying eyes.

"Nice to see you again, Emma," Ryan said, his eyes roaming over her as if appraising her anew.

Emma pulled away, her anger flaring. "What on earth do you think you’re doing, Ryan?"

"I’m trying to have a civil conversation," Ryan replied, his voice grim. "We have unfinished business, you and I."

"There’s nothing to discuss," Emma retorted, her voice sharp. "Not now, not ever."

"You think that?" His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it that made her wary.

"Yes, I do. How can you even ask me that after everything you’ve done? You lied to me, Ryan. You used me! You mistreated me." The words burst out, raw and unfiltered.

"And you ran away without giving me a chance to explain," he countered, his voice hardening again. "Do you think that was fair?"