Emma's POV My heart pounded in my chest. “It’s not any of your business, Ryan. But let me tell you, and I told this to Cade as well, repeatedly, that I’m not interested.”Ryan’s voice grew even colder. “I don’t want any more distractions. And if you think you can use your position to attract attention, think again. You belong to me. Now come to my office immediately.”The possessiveness in his tone was suffocating. He made it clear that despite our strained relationship, he considered me his domain. His comments about “belonging” to him were infuriating and humiliating, Cursing him, I went to Ryan's cabin and he made good on his threat. The workload doubled, and the pressure was relentless. Files piled up on the desk, each one more urgent than the last. Every time I thought I had a moment to breathe, another task would appear, and Ryan would be there, watching, waiting for me to break.But I refused to give him that satisfaction. I worked late into the night, pushing myself to the
Emma's POV Finally, it was evening after a particularly grueling day; I found myself staying late at the office, trying to catch up on the mountain of work that had been dumped on me. The office was quiet; the only sound was the tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. I had just finished a report when my phone buzzed—James.I glanced at the clock. It was past his bedtime.Oh god! He was already upset and I forgot to call him. He must have been waiting for me to call and comfort him. With a sigh, I answered the call, keeping my voice low. “James, honey, I am sorry; I had so much work to do that I didn't realize that it was time to talk to you. I am sorry, honey, but will change very soon." " Mom, are you so busy that you can't even talk to me for five minutes? It seems, no one loves me." He sounded very hurt. My heart went out when I heard him say that. He was my life. The most important person in my life. " Please don't say that honey; I love you the most in the entire world. It'
Emma's POV Flashback....I wanted to trust Ryan, to believe that what was happening between us was real, that it wasn’t just another illusion, another charade that would eventually crumble and leave me more broken than before. But trusting meant being vulnerable, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. Not yet.So, I decided to focus on the present, on the small moments that made me feel alive, that made me feel something other than the numbness I’d grown so used to. The way Ryan’s hand felt when it brushed against mine, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the way his voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket when he spoke. Those were the things I clung to, the things that kept me grounded, even as the storm of emotions continued to rage inside me.And maybe, just maybe, if I held on to those moments long enough, I’d find the strength to take that leap, to step off the edge of the cliff and into the unknown. But for now, I was content to wait, to let the tension buil
Emma's POV Ryan didn’t look surprised, but there was a flash of something in his eyes—relief, maybe, or understanding. He nodded slowly, his hand still lingering near my face as if he wasn’t sure whether to pull away or cup my cheek again. “We don’t have to figure it all out right now, Emma,” he said softly. “We can take it one step at a time.”“I know,” I whispered, though the thought of moving at a snail’s pace made me feel like I was suffocating. “It’s just… I’m not used to this.”“Used to what?”“To feel this way,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. To want something so badly, but not knowing if I can actually handle it...I thought in my mind as I could not say this aloud And then, just as the protagonist confessed his love in the most heart-wrenching scene, Ryan paused the film and turned to me, his face earnest."Emma," he began softly, his voice full of an emotion I couldn’t quite identify, "There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you."My heart skipped a beat, and
Emma's POV Ryan’s expression softened, and he leaned in slightly, his hand finally settling on my cheek. “Emma, you’ve been through a lot. It’s okay to feel conflicted. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out together, no rush.”I closed my eyes at his words, a wave of emotion crashing over me. How could he be so understanding? So patient? It was everything I needed, but also everything that scared me. Because deep down, I knew that once I let my guard down, once I allowed myself to fall for him completely, there would be no going back. And that terrified me.It terrified me because I was concerned about him. “Ryan,” I said, my voice trembling," I can’t give you what you want. I don’t want you to regret this later.”“Why would I ever regret wanting to be with you?” he asked, his tone filled with genuine bewilderment.“Are... you even... listening?” I stammered, “I told you, I don’t think I’m capable of loving anyo
Emma's POV " What's wrong with you? How can you even think that you are not capable of loving? I will never regret marrying you. And if you do not agree, I will never marry. Tell me, do you think, I will be happy then? " He asked me, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. " Why?? Why can't you marry some nice girl, who could love you back? You deserve to be loved back, I am very frigid, never felt anything for anyone. " I was hell-bent to convince him." You are a very nice girl and I want to marry you." " But after we get married, you will expect me to... I mean... Please, Ryan, try and understand. I will not be able to reciprocate. You will never be happy. " I said looking into his eyes. " Don't make excuses, if you don't want to marry me, say that you don't want to directly. " I said as I was thoroughly irritated now. " I am not lying. " " No!! I have seen the way your body reacts to mine..." " No! I get uncomfortable. " " Ok, fine!! I would rather have a Frigid Bride
Emma's POV Flashback..." Emma, will you please marry me and make me the happiest man on this planet? " He asked. Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded slowly. “Okay,” I whispered. “Okay, Ryan. I’ll marry you.”A smile broke across his face, the purest, happiest smile I had ever seen. And in that moment, I knew that, despite all my fears and doubts, this was the right decision. Because with Ryan, I felt something I had never felt before—a sense of belonging, of being truly seen and accepted for who I was.As he kissed me, softly and sweetly, I felt the first flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as broken as I thought. Maybe, with Ryan’s love, I could learn to love myself and, in turn, love him the way he deserved.My heart was in my throat. “Ryan, I’m scared,” I admitted.“I know,” he said, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. “But I’ll be here, every step of the way. You don’t have to do this alone.”And for the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to believe in
Emma's POV I could picture it already, the two of us standing under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the world melting away until it was just the two of us.“And Eva?” I asked quietly, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “What if she feels upset that we didn’t wait?”Ryan smiled, a soft, understanding smile that made my heart flutter. “We’ll tell her together, and I’m sure she’ll understand. She loves you, and she knows how much we mean to each other. This is our moment, Emma. Let’s not let it slip away. Say, yes, please! " I bit my lip, my mind racing, but deep down, I knew my answer. I loved him, wanted him. And for once in my life, I wanted to do something purely for myself, for my happiness.“Alright,” I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of excitement and fear. “Let’s do it. Let’s go to Las Vegas and get married.”Ryan’s face lit up with a grin that made my stomach flip. He leaned, pressing a quick, passionate kiss to my lips. “You won’t regret this, Emma. I promise you.”"
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