Chapter 9

Emma stood by the window frozen; she was sure she had seen the black sedan not too long ago, but now it’s no longer there. She checked her phone again and read the message, “I’m closer than you think.” 

The threatening message was still fresh in her mind; she knew she and her brother were in danger, and she needed to look for a way to pay back. But first she needed to be sure Lukas was safe.

She quickly gathered her things, packed her back, and headed to the hospital. She will go to Ryan’s place from the hospital, considering The danger that lies around her at the moment—she can’t be all alone at home.

Inside the cab heading to the hospital, Emma’s mind was filled with thoughts as she turned around every single minute in the cab, fearing for her life. The weight of everything going on in their lives bore down on her, Lukas, Ryan, the fake marriage, and now threats from who she owed money. 

Emma’s breath quickened, her fingers tapping nervously against her thigh as she glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting the black sedan to reappear.

"We are here, Madam,” the driver snapped her out of her thoughts. Emma nodded, noticing the vehicle had stopped. She looked ahead, and there it was—the hospital entrance.

She stepped down, paid the driver, and walked into the hospital, though her mind wasn't settled as she walked at a quick pace, wearing a dark shade with the aim of not being recognized.

When she arrived in Lukas's room, she took a deep breath before stepping inside. His pale face relaxed in sleep, a small comfort in her otherwise chaotic world.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” she said softly as she sat beside him.

Lukas stirred, blinking as he woke. “Emma? What are you doing here?”

“I have good news,” she smiled, her heart lifting just a little as she delivered the lie. “The doctor called. You’ve been accepted into the clinical trial. You’ll be starting soon.”

Lukas’s eyes lit up with hope, and it made her chest tighten. “That’s amazing! I was starting to lose faith, but this... this changes everything.”

Emma reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “I told you not to give up. And I’ll be here every step of the way.”

Lukas's smile filled Emma with temporary joy, but as he slept, her concerns resurfaced. She bore the weight of his treatment's true cost, both financially and emotionally. He had no idea the reason he had been selected for the trial was as a result of her contract with Ryan, all to give him a chance of survival.

Meanwhile, across town Ryan sat at the bar sipping his drinks as he watched the woman he had just been with, slipping out quietly from the private room, leaving him with his thoughts. 

The banging moment he just had had helped him relieve some stress physically, but now, he is back to facing his emotional turmoils. The weight of trying to prove and make this fake marriage work came crashing back down on him.

He never imagined he would end up in a situation of trying to prove himself to his grandfather in a manner that isn’t all about work. At the same time his thoughts went to Emma; he couldn’t deny the growing connection he felt toward Emma, even if it was inconvenient. She was far better than the ladies he had met in his lifetime. 

She was smart, resourceful, and had handled his grandfather far better than anyone else ever could. But that only made him more cautious. He couldn’t afford distractions, not now, when he was so close to getting his CEO position back. He had to stay focused on the plan.

“Yes, the plan,” Ryan muttered as he picked up his phone to call Emma; she had said she wanted to pick up her things and head back to his place.

Phone ringing… 

Immediately Emma picked up the phone, and Ryan spoke out. “Hey Emma, where are you now? Are you done packing? Sounding excited, waiting for Emma to respond.

“Yes, I’m done packing, but I went to the hospital to see Lukas. I will head straight to your place from there.” Emma said. 

“Hmm,” Ryan was silent for a while before responding to her. “Hold on there; I will come pick you up.” 

Emma smiled as she could hear the eagerness in his tone but replied calmly. “No worries, Ryan, I will find my way.”

“No, Emma, you will be my wife soon, and you need to start enjoying these privileges. Also people would be so interested in why you are taking cabs.” Ryan explained.

Emma sighed and said, “Ok.” She understood where he was coming from. She needs to begin to accept the terms of what she had put herself into.

A few minutes later, Emma got a text from Ryan.

“I’m outside.”

She kissed Lukas by the forehead and bid farewell as she headed out. As Emma left Lukas's room, the hospital's antiseptic smell and stark white walls felt overwhelming, a harsh reminder of her desperate battle.

On getting outside of the hospital, she spotted Ryan's fancy car. Immediately Ryan saw her; he walked up to her. “Ready to go?” he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any signs of trouble as he noticed how unhappy she looked.

Emma nodded, trying to hide the turmoil inside. “Yeah. Just give me a minute.”

As she stood at the entrance of the hospital, trying to grab a breath. Deep down, she made a silent promise to herself: she would figure this out, but she wouldn’t drag Ryan down with her. Not yet, anyway.

An uncomfortable silence filled the car as they drove to the mansion. Ryan glanced at Emma, noticing her how she turned her head from left to right, observing the various cars that passed by. 

Her lost expression unsettled him, making his stomach grumble. What was Emma hiding or thinking? He wished she would let him in and share her burdens instead of facing them alone.

He could feel the tension between them, though neither had spoken about it. Finally, he broke the silence. “Are you okay?”

Emma blinked, her mind racing for a quick answer. “Just... stressed about Lukas. He’s starting the clinical trial soon, and I’m trying to juggle everything.”

Ryan nodded, but his gut told him there was more to it. He didn’t push her, though. He had his own battles to fight.

As Ryan drove toward the mansion, Emma tried to calm herself with the familiar scenery. But the worries of what she was going through persisted, unsure of what to expect anymore until she checked the rearview mirror. Her heart skipped for a second, her eyes popping out.

“There it is,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. The black sedan she saw on her way home earlier was there again, but this time on Ryan’s mansion route. Emma’s mind began to race, confused about what to do or say. “Ryan, we’re being followed!” She finally spoke out.

Ryan turned to look at Emma; her face was covered with sweat; it was so obvious she was scared of something. “What do you mean we are being followed?” Ryan asked with confusion as he looked at the direction Emma was pointing to, his side mirror.

He could clearly see the black sedan following their trail. He asked again, “Emma, are you sure it's actually following us?” Emma nodded, her pulse quickening. “I saw it before when I left your place to mine. It followed me home. It’s the same car!”

Before Ryan could respond,The sedan swooped into the driveway, stopping abruptly behind them. Emma's heart raced as a towering figure stepped out, its presence sending shivers down her spine.

“Emma!” Ryan’s tone shifted, turning protective as he instinctively moved closer to her. “Get behind me.