Emma's POV We returned to his home amidst a grand welcome, where an army of servants bustled about, their faces alight with joy. The house felt more like a homecoming than I expected, and they were especially delighted to see James. A few of the older staff couldn’t help but comment that he looked remarkably like Ryan—or perhaps Evan—at that age. I glanced at Ryan, and he smirked, though there was pride in his eyes that tugged at my heart.Ryan guided us upstairs, showing me to our room first; it was the master bedroom of the mansion and was as grand as the mansion itself. " Wow!! This is huge!! " James said and got excited to see his room as well. We hadn’t mentioned anything to him about his room, so when the door swung open, James stood wide-eyed, his tiny hand gripping mine tightly.“Oh my gosh!” His voice was a breathless exclamation as he stepped into the room, taking it all in. It was everything a five-year-old boy could dream of.The walls were adorned with his favorite sup
Emma's POV Ryan had befriended George initially to get close to me, and while George had been nothing but supportive of me during the more tumultuous moments of my life, I knew he still harbored a certain degree of annoyance towards Ryan. He hadn’t forgiven him entirely for how things had unraveled between us back then, and though George was never one to be openly confrontational, I could sense the simmering tension just beneath the surface.I braced myself for an awkward interaction, but Ryan, ever the charmer when he wanted to be, seemed to anticipate the tension as well. He extended a hand toward George with a genuine smile.“It’s good to see you again, George. Been a while.”George hesitated for just a moment before clasping Ryan’s hand. “Yeah, it has.” His voice was cordial, but there was an edge to it. .Ryan, to his credit, didn’t miss a beat. “George, relax! I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I think we can put that behind us as things were not as it looked li
Emma's POV After a lovely reunion with my friends, they left, but not without asking when I planned to return to work. “In a day or two, once we’ve settled in and James has been admitted to his new school,” I replied. They nodded, satisfied, before saying their goodbyes and leaving.The three of us—Ryan, James, and I—were tired after the long day. We retired to our rooms, though I couldn’t ignore the strange feeling creeping over me as I entered our room. Sharing a room with Ryan wasn’t something I’d given much thought to before, but now it felt complicated. I voiced my hesitation, unsure of how to handle this new dynamic between us.“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to share a room,” I told him.Ryan, always so composed, gave me a soft but firm look. “On the contrary, it is a perfect idea, It’ll have a negative effect on James if we don’t. And let’s not forget the servants—they’ll talk. But more importantly, I want to move forward Emma, and we can’t do that if we’re still keeping se
Emma's POV I hadn’t even thought about how much Grandma would have missed me, and the guilt gnawed at me all over again. Before I could say anything more, I noticed a little boy sitting on the sofa, watching us with wide eyes. Eva’s son, Danny. I hadn’t met him yet.I walked over, crouching down to his level. “Hello, there. I’m your Aunt Emma. Your mom's elder sister.” I gave him a warm smile, and he smiled back shyly, before offering me a small wave. I hugged and kissed it. It felt like hugging little Eva. Ryan called for James, and the moment he appeared, all the tension in the room evaporated. My family’s eyes lit up as they took in the sight of him, and any lingering complaints or frustrations were forgotten. Mum cried even harder, pulling James into her arms, and even Dad’s eyes grew moist.My parents gave their blessings to James, showering him with affection and a mountain of gifts. The warmth and love in the room filled my heart, but there was still so much left unsaid betwe
Emma's POV I felt a rush of emotion, hearing my father admit his mistakes and express his gratitude to Ryan. It wasn’t something I’d ever expected. He had never admitted any mistake in his life. His gaze shifted to Ryan, and the emotion in his voice softened into something almost like admiration. “That’s when Ryan stepped in. Out of nowhere, he offered to help—offered a solution I never would have imagined. He saved me, Emma. He saved our entire company. I always saw Daniel as the better man, but I was wrong. He was all glitter and no substance. Ryan, on the other hand…” Dad turned to look at Ryan, his voice softening. “Ryan’s got a heart of gold. He’s the one who saved me, and I’ll never forget that.”I looked at Ryan, stunned. He hadn’t told me any of this. I didn't know he’d been working behind the scenes to help us. He caught my eye briefly, offering a small, almost imperceptible smile before looking back at my father.There was a pause before Dad spoke again, this time with a
Emma's POV My heart ached for both of them as my father’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. I let you down, and I failed as a father. I was so blinded by my ambitions and expectations that I couldn’t see what mattered. Emma, I’m sorry too, for forcing you into a life you didn’t want, for making you feel like you couldn’t come to me when you needed help the most.”Ryan smiled gently, his tone warm but firm. “No apologies necessary. What matters now is that we’re here, working together.”Dad gave a small chuckle, though it was laced with regret. “I was so focused on finding the right match for Emma, someone who I thought could provide for her, that I ignored what was most important. You cared about her, Ryan. You truly cared, and I was blind to that. Instead, I trusted a man who was all shine and no substance.”Dad’s hands trembled as he recounted the horror of what Daniel had done. “He ruined Eva’s life. Cheated on her, humiliated her. He even hit her once.” His voice broke, and his
Emma's POV That evening, as we all gathered for dinner, the atmosphere in the house felt lighter than it had in years. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, my family was together, united, and at peace. The children laughed as they played, and the warmth of the conversation floated around the table, but it was my father’s earlier confession that lingered in my mind.But later, when night fell and we returned to our shared bedroom, the air changed. Sharing a room with Ryan was a challenge I hadn’t anticipated. The memories of what we once had together, coupled with the unresolved feelings still burning between us, made the space between us feel electric. His presence was overwhelming; every glance, every word was laced with an unspoken tension.As we readied for bed, I couldn’t ignore the lingering heat in the room, the way Ryan’s eyes followed me as I moved around. He didn’t push, though. Instead, he was patient, setting the scene with subtlety, creating an atmosphere I c
Emma's POV For the next few days, Ryan’s subtle games continued, but they were becoming harder and harder for me to ignore. It wasn’t just the physical closeness he created when we were around others—though that was maddening enough. It was the way he maneuvered through every moment, every glance, every brush of his fingers, making it impossible for me to escape him even in my mind. He knew what he was doing, and I hated how easily I was falling into his carefully set trap.He had always been able to read me better than anyone, and now he was using that knowledge to his advantage. When we sat together at dinner, he would rest his hand on the back of my chair, his fingers occasionally grazing my neck. The simplest of touches, yet they sent sparks of heat coursing through my body, a reminder of what he was capable of. When he whispered in my ear, the deep timbre of his voice melted me inside, making my heart pound in my chest.I caught him watching me, sometimes with a quiet intensity
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