Chapter 6

The voice of the mysterious woman echoed through the mansion as Ryan held Emma’s hand tightly. Emma could feel the pains of his grip, but they were all distracted and stunned looking at the figure standing by the doorway. 

Emma’s eyes met Ryan, and his facial expression showed that he was pissed at the figure before him. Who is she? And what must she have done to ignite such rage in Ryan’s eyes?

The woman took a slow, deliberate step into the room, her black hair cascading over her shoulders, nearly brushing the hem of her sleek designer top. Her cold blue eyes scanned the room, finally locking onto Ryan with a smug smile. 

Her skin seemed to glow, almost unnaturally perfect, radiating the confidence of someone who had always gotten her way. Emma swallowed hard, her admiration quickly turning into dread. There was no mistaking the power this woman wielded, not just in wealth but in her presence. The air in the room thickened, and Emma could feel the shiver run down her spine as Selena’s gaze finally fell on her.

She could tell the lady was flowing in wealth. Definitely the Ryan Miller type of lady she guessed.

“Surprised to see me, Ryan?” She said her voice was smooth, and she had a sheepish smile that could tell her sense of mischief. 

Anxiety gripped Ryan as he noticed how tight he was holding Emma; his palms were dripping sweat. Lost in words, he wondered what his ex-fiancee was doing at his doorway. 

The last time he had seen her, she left him with a bitter heart. He never thought he would get over her, and when he finally did, moving on with his life, she creeps back in.

“What are you doing here, Selena?” His voice was low but deep. Emma could sense the anger boiling just beneath his voice.

‘Selena’. Emma pondered in silence, wondering if she had by any chance heard the name before, but nothing came up, as she barely knew Ryan or was actually interested in daily Rich lifestyle updates.

“Well, do you miss me? If you don't, I do.” Selena responded with a smile. “But the last time we spoke, you said you don't want anything to do with me anymore, just because of our little argument.” She continued and moved a step closer to Ryan, putting her hands on his cheeks, looking at him seductively, not minding the figure beside him.

“Then guess what? I heard you were getting married. Married? Ryan Miller!” She smirked at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I know you were just pissed at that time, so I had to give you space of your own. But now I’m back.”

She turned her gaze to Emma, her eyes scanning her from up and down. “Wait! Don’t tell me this is the woman you’re getting married to.” 

Selena scoffed, her mockery laughter implying the figure before her was in no way Ryan’s standard. “Quite the downgrade, don’t you think?”

Emma flinched at the insult, but Ryan stepped forward, shielding her from Selena’s gaze. 

“Ryan’s voice dropped into a low, dangerous growl. “You call that a little argument, Selena? You cheated on me with someone I trusted. Do you have any idea what that did to me?” His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles white with the effort of keeping control.

Ryan continued, “But you still have the guts to show up at my doorstep. Aren’t you shameless?. You and I are over, and I meant it.” 

He wasn’t going to let her see how much she still got under his skin, but the fury burning in his chest was hard to hide.

Meanwhile, Emma, caught in the crossfire, stood in shock, watching the tense moment; she definitely didn't ask to be part of it.

“Over?” Selena giggled, recognizing his idea of them being over was far-fetched. “Oh, Ryan, you and I were never over. Not after everything we’ve done and been through together, and we both know you’ll never love anyone like you loved me. Not even this slot you brought home,” placing a finger on Emma’s face.

Ryan’s expression hardened. His hand struck out and slapped her. The sound of the slap hit her hard, a clear reminder of his anger. 

“Don't you dare touch her. How dare you call someone else a slut? You randomly cheated on me, remember? I loved and cherished you, but guess what? You betrayed my trust and left me miserable.”

Selena held her cheek; she felt a searing shockwave coursing through her face. The pain was so intense that it made her eyes watery instantly. She never saw it coming, thinking she had control of the situation.

The thought of being humiliated in the presence of a stranger gripped her as she held back the tears pricking at the corner of her eyes, refusing to let them fall.

“It's never over between us, Ryan, not after everything we’ve done and been through together.”

“You think you can just replace me with her? No one can ever replace me in your heart, Ryan.” Selena's voice trembled with pain as she pointed her finger towards Emma. 

Emma’s heart pounded in her chest as the slap echoed through the room, its impact so sudden and so violent, that she felt her own skin burn in response. Was this really the man she was going to marry, even if it was just for a contract? His cruelty took her by surprise. 

The charming businessman she’d met now stood before her, raw and unfiltered, his pain lashing out in ways she hadn’t expected. She knew Ryan had his demons, but now she wondered if she was about to marry one.

All Ryan could do was breathe, his heart rising. He knew the impact of what he did but wasn’t ashamed of it. He would do it over and over again.

“Leave now, Selena, before things get out of hand. I don't want to see you,” taking a step closer to Selena to scare her.

Selena laughed, the sound bitter and cold. “If you think I would let this slide without a fight, then you must be mistaken. She turned her gaze to Emma once more, her smirk widening. “And you, sweetheart... I hope you’re ready for what’s coming.” She said as she stumped out of the doorway angrily.

Ryan immediately looked at Emma, not minding how she would have felt in the moments, even though he looked tense.

“Come on, Emma, let's focus on the plan,” he said. “We need to be prepared before introducing you to my grandfather. He needs to believe our story, and then we get married. That's the only way I can reclaim my position as CEO.”

Emma looked shocked at the way he was trying to avoid the conversation. “Like seriously? Are we not discussing what just happened just now? Considering I was threatened as well.”

Ryan felt some level of guilt as Emma spoke. Selena made him cold and nonchalant, the way he is today. Thanks to her. Talking or thinking about her would make his heart heavy.

Emma I'm sorry you were caught up in this mess. I don't want to talk about this but instead focus on our plan. 

Emma could tell from the look on his face how sad he was, but at some point in time they would need to talk about this moment deeply.

Ryan continued, “Our plan is in three major phases:

Phase 1: Introduce you to my grandfather. 

Phase 2: Get married.

Phase 3: Give me a baby.

Emma listened attentively but wondered why Ryan’s grandfather was pushing him to get married against his will. She was so curious that she had to ask, “Ryan, why is your grandfather insisting you get married? And even up to the point of firing you in his company just to prove a point.”

Ryan knew he couldn’t say much, but Emma wasn't taking silence for an answer; he needed to give her something in the meantime. 

He responded, "He thinks I am getting too old and don’t care about having a family, and also he wants to see his grandchild before he dies.” Ryan smiles.

Emma understood Ryan's grandfather's reasons. Most of the rich, spoiled kids don’t care about anything other than spending their money on irrelevant things; they are literally forced to do the important things in their lives.

At that moment all she could think of was how to kick start the contract immediately and get it over with so she could focus on her own life, immediately her brother gets well. 

Yes, all she had done lately was focus all her life on Lukas health; she even dropped out of school just for him. Emma was deep in thought about how to strategize her plans for making this fake marriage work.

“Hey,” Ryan called, as he snapped her out of her thoughts. “Are you following my explanation?” Emma nodded.

“Great then; this Saturday is my grandfather's 80th birthday; I think it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce you to him.” Ryan suggested as a smile played on his lips.

Emma agreed with a smile as well. Just as they were engaged in the moment of strategizing their plan, they both heard a sound coming from the garage.

"Who's that, Ryan? Are you expecting someone?” Emma asked, her voice tingling with a bit of surprise and curiosity. 

“Shit, that would be my grandfather; he’s the only one that has the keys to my garage.” Ryan responded in a tensed tone.

“What do we do now? He's not supposed to meet you just yet,” Ryan said, trying to compose himself on the right action to take.

Ryan’s heart skipped a beat as he heard the garage door. His grandfather was about to walk in, and the plan—carefully constructed, fragile as glass—was about to shatter. “Emma—” he started, but she was faster.

Without thinking, Emma grabbed him by the collar and yanked him down into a kiss. Her lips crashed against his, and for a moment, everything disappeared—the tension, the lies, even Selena’s cruel words. The kiss was desperate, raw, a last-ditch effort to sell their story, but it felt like more. Ryan froze, his mind racing, unsure whether to pull away or lean in.

That’s when the sound of footsteps hit the floor behind them.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Ryan’s grandfather’s amused voice broke through the haze of the kiss. Emma pulled back, her face flushed, her heart racing. The stakes had just been raised, and now there was no turning back.