Michael stood on the dock at Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee, glancing at his watch. It was almost time for Emma to arrive. He had planned this boat trip meticulously, wanting it to be perfect. The boat was elegantly decorated with fairy lights, a table set for two, and soft music playing in the background. He wanted to make this night unforgettable.His mind wandered back to the phone call with Jessica. He hadn’t gone to meet her that night, despite every fiber of his being yearning to see and touch her. He didn’t want to look cheap, and there was also a part of him that felt guilty about Emma. Ever since that rendezvous, they hadn’t spoken.Emma arrived, looking stunning in a flowing summer dress. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and Michael felt a pang of guilt for what he was about to do. He pushed the thought aside, determined to focus on the evening ahead.“Wow, Michael, this is amazing,” Emma said, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.“I’m glad you like it,” Michael replied
Emma stirred awake, the soft morning light filtering through the cabin windows. She turned to see Michael lying beside her, sleeping peacefully. His chest rose and fell with each breath, his face relaxed and content. For a moment, she simply watched him, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside her.Her thoughts drifted back to Daniel, to the beginning of their relationship. She had been a mess back then, struggling with the shadows of her past, feeling like she wanted to disappear. Daniel had become her rock, first as her best friend, then as her lover. She knew deep down that without him, she wouldn’t be who she was now.When their marriage fell apart, she pretended to be strong, but inside, she was terrified. She feared slipping back into the dark world she had known before Daniel. It was Lily who gave her the strength to keep going, her love for her daughter a lifeline. The support from her parents and her friend Claire had helped, but it was Lily who kept her grounded.Now, there w
Daniel paced back and forth in his office, his phone pressed to his ear. The conversation with his uncle was spiraling into familiar territory. "Uncle Roger, I understand your concerns, but we need to handle this matter with integrity," Daniel said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Integrity? Daniel, this is about survival. If we don’t act now, we lose everything," his uncle’s voice crackled with frustration. Daniel sighed. "But we can’t just claim the assets illegally. There are laws, and we need to follow them." Uncle Roger’s tone turned icy. "Laws? Your father didn’t mind bending them when it suited him. Don't be naive, Daniel. I can still frame him with corruption charges. If I do, you’ll lose your house and your shares from the company." Daniel felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. "You wouldn’t dare." "Try me," David snapped. "You think your father's ghost can protect you? I can ruin everything he left behind, and you’ll be left with nothing." The line went dead
Emma sat at a quaint bistro in downtown Nashville, savoring the warm summer breeze and the delicious meal Michael had planned for their outing. They had spent the day exploring a local art gallery, where Emma had marveled at a striking painting of a sunset over a tranquil lake. Michael had been attentive, sharing stories about the pieces and making the day memorable.As they enjoyed dessert, Michael’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Another surprise? You’re really outdoing yourself.”Michael chuckled, leaning closer. “Well, you mentioned that painting from the gallery earlier. I couldn’t stop thinking about how much it meant to you.”Emma’s eyes widened. “You didn’t.”Michael’s smile widened as he reached into his bag and pulled out a small, elegant box. He opened it to reveal a miniature replica of the painting. “I had this commissioned for you. I hope it reminds you of today and how much I care about you.”Emma was sp
Emma lay awake, the early morning light filtering through the curtains. Michael slept peacefully beside her, but her mind was restless. Jessica’s message replayed in her mind, igniting a mix of fear and jealousy she couldn’t ignore. She knew she needed answers.Their night had been passionate. Michael had whispered sweet nothings to her, reassuring her again and again that she was the only one in his heart, and Jessica was firmly in his past. They had made love tenderly, with Michael trying hard to erase her doubts. But despite the passion and the promises, a lingering unease remained in Emma's heart.Later that morning, as they prepared breakfast together, Emma decided it was time to confront Michael. “Michael, can we talk about something important?”Michael looked up from the stove, sensing the seriousness in her tone. “Of course, Emma. What’s on your mind?”Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “Yesterday, I saw a message on your phone from Jessica. It made me reall
Emma stormed out of Michael’s house, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The revelation about Jessica had shattered the fragile trust she was beginning to build. She couldn't believe that Michael had kept something so significant from her. As she walked briskly, her heart raced, and tears blurred her vision."Emma, wait!" Michael called out, running after her. He finally caught up and grabbed her arm gently. "Please, just let me explain."Emma pulled away, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. "Explain what, Michael? That you still have feelings for Jessica? That you’ve been lying to me?"Michael's eyes were filled with desperation. "I wasn't lying to you. Jessica is just a part of my past. I don’t want to lose you over this."She shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "How can I believe that? How can I trust you after this?"Michael took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Emma, I’ve told you everything now. I’ve been honest with you. Please, give me a chance to prove mys
Daniel sat at his desk, staring at the stacks of documents and legal papers spread out before him. His conversation with his lawyer echoed in his mind, a grim reminder of the battle he was about to face."Your uncle's activities are highly illegal, Daniel. He's been siphoning funds from the family business and laundering money through offshore accounts. If he exposes the alleged corruption of your late father, it could jeopardize your shares and the house," the lawyer had explained. "You need concrete evidence to bring him down, but doing so without alerting him will be difficult and dangerous."Daniel's grip tightened on the edge of his desk. His uncle, Roger, had always been a manipulative man, but Daniel never imagined he would stoop so low as to endanger their family's legacy. The threat to expose his father's alleged corruption was a desperate attempt to seize control, and Daniel knew he had to act carefully.---That evening, after putting Lily to bed, Daniel found solace in his
Daniel’s POVThe moment I step off the plane in, I pull out my phone. My heart skips a beat as I see the intimidating, threatening message from an unknown number. My immediate worry is Emma. I quickly dial her number, my fingers trembling. "Daniel?" Emma's voice sounds strained. "Emma, I just got a threatening message. Are you okay?" "I... I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we meet?" "Of course. I'll come to you." When we meet, her face is pale, her eyes wide with fear. I can feel my anger rising, but I know I need to stay calm for her sake. "Emma, tell me everything," I urge her. She explains that my uncle had sent her menacing messages, warning her to stay away from the family's business affairs. My fury burns hotter, but I try to keep my composure. "I'm scared, Daniel," she admits, her voice trembling. "I don't want anything to happen to Lily." I take her hands in mine, squeezing them gently. "Emma, I promise you, I'll protect you and Lily. I won't let him hurt