Chapter 11

Emma stood in silence as she watched Ryan, his words hanging in the air with heavy suspicion.

“This isn't just about the money, Emma,” he repeated again, looking at Emma straight into her eyeballs.

Emma swallowed hard. She felt Ryan's eyes on her, expecting explanations she wasn't prepared to share. But he was right. The money she owed wasn’t the whole truth, and that man’s rage wasn’t just about the debt. There was something she had taken—something personal—that made him furious.

“I didn’t just borrow the money,” she whispered, finally breaking the silence. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap. “I stole something from him… something valuable.”

Ryan’s expression darkened. “What was it?”

Emma’s throat tightened as she recalled the day she fled. “It was a USB drive,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to take it. It was mixed in with the documents I had. I found out later that it contained… sensitive information. Details about his illegal dealings, blackmail schemes… tapes on how he sexually molested other ladies, over all, things he would kill to keep secret.”

Ryan ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room as the weight of her confession sank in. “And you’ve been holding onto this?” he asked.

Emma nodded, guilt washing over her. “I hid it away as soon as I realized what it was. But he knows. He knows I have it.”

Ryan stopped pacing, his mind racing with possibilities. The stakes had just skyrocketed, and now he understood why the man was so relentless. This wasn’t just about money—this was about power. 

Even after paying the money, Emma’s life would still be in danger because no businessman would want to have something that could ruin them in the hands of someone else. Ryan clenched his fists. “You should’ve told me this sooner.”

“I didn’t think it would come to this,” Emma said, her voice cracking. “I didn’t think he would find me.”

Ryan took a deep breath, his protective instinct flaring. He needs to look for a better way to handle this situation considering his life might also be in danger at this point.

“We’ll deal with this, but first…” His tone shifted, lighter now as he tried to give her something else to focus on, noticing how scared and tense she had become.

“My grandfather's birthday. It's coming up this weekend, like I told you earlier, it's a chance for us to sell ourselves to the public just the way we did to my grandfather. They need to believe every bit of it.”

Emma blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. ‘Why does he get past pressure like this?’ she muttered to herself. She stood there unresponsive to his words as the thought of the man she owed clouded her. 

But again, Ryan's words, “We will deal with this,” were comforting, like he had experienced something like this before and knew exactly what to do. 

Ryan, noticing her silence, called her name out. “Emma, the birthday!”

Emma snapped out her thoughts, “Yes, I understand it should be our focus right now.” She responded with a tiny voice, trying to focus on her present moment.

Ryan pulled out his wallet and handed her his credit card. “Go get yourself a dress. Something that’ll make you stand out. You’ll be by my side the entire night.”

Emma hesitated, looking at the card as if it were a foreign object. “I don’t need something expensive.”

Ryan cut her off, smiling slightly. “Emma I'm not asking; I'm telling. Ok, consider it an investment. I want you to look stunning.”

Emma finally nodded, her mind still racing with everything that had just happened. “Thank you,” she whispered, the tension between them easing ever so slightly.

Later that afternoon, Emma called Mia, her best friend. 

"Want to help me pick out a dress?" Emma asked casually.

Mia's response was instantly more cheerful. “What's the occasion? She asked, wondering why Emma would be getting a dress, at least not at this point of her life. 

“It's Ryan’s grandfather's 80th birthday this weekend, and you know, it’s part of the plan; I would be attending, and yes, he gave me his card to shop.”

Emma responded, her tone with a touch of excitement; she couldn't remember when last she had something fun to do. Recently, it had just been all about Lukas. The hospital has been a usual dwelling place.

“Ooh wow!” Emma could hear Mia’s voice light up from the other end of the line as she responded.

“Can I come?” The question threw Emma off-guard, but she liked the idea. At least she wouldn't be bored entirely with some crowd of strangers around.

“Hmmm,” she sighed with a smile on her face. “That's a good idea, I would ask Ryan.”

“Of course then! I’ve been dying for some retail therapy after all. I will join you shortly.” Mia responded as she ended the call.

An hour later, Emma and Mia entered the luxurious boutique and scanned the designer gowns. One dress caught her eye—sleek and elegant. But the price tag made her heart sink. It was way too expensive, even with Ryan’s card. She wouldn't want to look desperate with Ryan’s money. 

Recently, she has been the one receiving more from him. “I wouldn't want to be a burden.” Emma mummered 

Mia noticed her hesitation. “What’s wrong? It’s gorgeous!”

“I can’t,” Emma muttered, biting her lip. “The price is too much.”

Before Mia could respond, a voice behind them interrupted. “Still shopping in places you can’t afford, Emma?”

Both women turned to see a familiar face—Leah, a former college classmate notorious for her cruel jabs and relentless bullying.

Leah smirked, her eyes glancing over the dress Emma was holding. “That’s way out of your league. You couldn’t even afford a dress for prom back in the day. Still pretending to be something you’re not?”

Emma felt embarrassed by Leah’s words as she let go of the dress. Her words were hurtful but she wasn't surprised considering she always bullied her back in college

Mia, always the protective one, even back then in college, stepped forward. “Back off, Leah. She can buy whatever she wants.”

Leah laughed, her gaze icy. “Sure, she can. But the question is, will she? Or will she run away like she always does?”

Emma's heart raced. She looked at the dress and Ryan's credit card, then stiffened. Leah's words hurt, but she refused to back down—not anymore.