Emma's POV "You remember, Emma, the last time we were here, we were supposed to be planning our wedding." Daniel turned to me, his voice dripping with barely concealed bitterness.I froze, the weight of his words hitting me like a ton of bricks. He wasn’t going to let this go, wasn’t going to let me forget and will keep making sarcastic remarks that I’d left him at the altar. I glanced at Ryan, who gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside me."That wasn’t the same," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was an arranged marriage, Daniel. I was forced into it. We both knew it wasn’t what I wanted.""And yet here you are, planning a wedding with someone else," he shot back, his tone laced with venom. "Someone who isn’t half the man I am."" Mind your words, you better behave yourself or we will not be a part of this. You have no right to judge anyone when you are far away from being a perfect man or eligible bachelor. He is much bet
Emma's POV Daniel laughed, a cold, bitter sound that sent a chill down my spine. "You’re fooling yourself if you think this is real," he sneered. "Emma’s just using you to get comfortable in this situation."I felt the blood drain from my face. His words cut deep, not because they were true, but because they were a reflection of the worst fears I hadn’t even allowed myself to acknowledge. What if, deep down, I was using Ryan as a shield, a way to avoid dealing with Daniel? But Ryan didn’t waver. He kept his gaze locked on Daniel, his voice steady and strong. "Emma and I are happy," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "And that’s all that matters."It was a simple statement, but it carried so much weight. He wasn’t just saying it for Daniel’s benefit; he was saying it for mine. He was reminding me that, despite everything, I was happy with what I had done in my till now; I wanted to make a career for myself and wanted to work on something I was passionate about. And we were
Emma's POV The evening had a relaxed air, the sun dipping below the horizon as everyone gathered in the grand sitting room after dinner. The atmosphere was a blend of laughter and conversation, with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter filling the air. The whole family gathered there. My mother and grandmother were in deep conversation about some upcoming charity event; Dad and Daniel were playing at the billiards table, while Ryan, Eva, and I were in lighthearted banter about the wedding party. Ryan had been the center of attention all day, charming all ladies with his easy demeanor and quick wit. I could tell that even Dad, who usually had a skeptical eyebrow permanently raised around new people, was beginning to warm up to him. But Daniel wasn’t going to let Ryan off that easily. As the evening wore on, I noticed Daniel watching Ryan, a mischievous glint in his eyes, like he was waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.That moment came when Daniel teased
Emma's POV I looked at Ryan immediately, but he just smiled and declined the offer politely. "Thank you, sir. But I am happy with my work. " "Well," Daniel finally said, a hint of reluctance in his voice, "I’ll admit, you know your way around the financial world. But let’s see how you do on the billiards table."Ryan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he straightened up and chalked his cue. "I think I can manage," he replied, flashing a grin in my direction that made my heart skip a beat.The game began with my father and Daniel taking turns against Ryan. The atmosphere was competitive, but friendly, with plenty of good-natured ribbing flying around. Ryan handled the cue with the same precision he’d shown in his earlier discussions, his shots calculated and smooth. The balls clicked against each other with a satisfying sound, each shot expertly sinking into the pockets.It wasn’t long before Ryan was winning, much to Daniel’s chagrin. Every time Ryan made a particularly difficult sho
Emma's POV See?" Ryan said, his voice was low and filled with warmth. "You’re a natural."I barely heard him, too lost in the sensation of being so close to him, too aware of the way my body was reacting to him. My cheeks were flushed, my heart was racing and I could barely catch my breath. I wanted to turn around, to look into his eyes, to see if he was feeling the same thing I was, but I was too scared of what I might find there.Instead, I just nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks."Ryan stepped back, giving me some space, but the absence of his touch only made me crave it more.What was happening to me?? I wanted him to leave me and step back as I was not myself a few moments ago, and now, when he did, I am still feeling restless. I could still feel the ghost of his hands on my skin, the warmth of his body lingering around me. I was a mess, my emotions all tangled up in a knot of confusion and desire.Mom, Eva, and Grandma clapped from the sidelines, clearly amused
Emma's POV He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if he was trying to figure out what to say. Then, he let out a sigh and leaned his forehead against mine, his voice barely above a whisper."Maybe it doesn’t have to be just pretend if you want. "The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of something—hope, fear, longing—I couldn’t quite place it.But before I could respond, before I could even process what he had just said, the sound of laughter from the sitting room reached us, pulling us both back to reality. Ryan straightened up, his hand dropping from my face as he took a step back."We should get back," he said, his voice suddenly distant.I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment at the loss of his touch. "Yeah, we should."We walked back to the sitting room together, but the atmosphere between us had shifted. The lighthearted banter from earlier was gone, replaced by a tension that neither of us
Emma's POV As I got ready for bed, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come in such a short time. Sharing a room with him had initially been a nightmare. We were strangers, thrust into this charade of an engagement, and now, here I was, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his presence. But tonight felt different—more significant, somehow. I could sense that he was going to push the teasing a little further, and the thought made my heart race.I slipped into my pajamas, choosing a simple, soft set that I hoped would be comfortable enough to sleep in and plain enough to discourage any of Ryan’s usual banter. As I emerged from the bathroom, I found him lounging on the bed, a mischievous grin already playing on his lips. He was waiting for me.“Ah, there you are,” he said, propping himself up on one elbow. “I was beginning to think you’d fallen asleep in there.”I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help but smile. “Very funny. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”He chuck
Emma's POV I didn’t like where this was going. Or maybe I did, but that was the problem. The idea of Ryan lying next to me, without any clothes on, was both terrifying and undeniably appealing. But I couldn’t let him know that. I had to stay in control.“Interesting how?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked at me. “Well, if we’re going to be convincing, we should probably get used to being close. Really close. And what better way to do that than by sharing… everything?”I swallowed hard, my mind racing with all the implications of his words. Was he really suggesting that we…? No, surely not. But with Ryan, I could never be sure.“Ryan,” I began, trying to sound stern, “we’re supposed to be convincing, not reckless.”“Reckless? Who said anything about being reckless?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying we should be comfortable with each other. You know, as an engaged couple would be.”“Comfortable
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