(Emily’s POV).
As soon as I kicked them out, my father was in a dying state because it turned out that he saw everything without being able to move his body.
His situation made me even more frantic and afraid of losing him as my only hope.
The doctor even said that it would get worse if my father experienced acute stress.
I also thought that my father didn't see at all because I thought he hadn't woken up yet, but in fact, he witnessed everything.
I immediately entrusted my father to Linda when she told me that Jane had called a meeting that Ben would be the temporary chairman while my father was still in critical condition. And me ... I even got kicked out of the company for having a bad reputation that they made seem real, that there were vulgar photos of me spread around that they thought the company would lose if they kept me there.
"They're really sneaky" I said when Linda told me.
"Have you talked to Mr. Mike, Miss?" she asked.
I nodded and swallowed. "I was just about to go back there when you reported this."
"Go on then, I'll let you know how Mr. West is doing if he's in bad shape," she said.
"Thank you, Linda. You're my savior."
I drove back to Mike's office with my pride completely shot in order to ask for his help again. I thought I'd need a few days to figure all this out, but I didn't. Because the sooner the better.
When I got there, Mike didn't even want to see me. Of course, I felt even more anxious than before. He didn't even say anything about why he didn't want to see me, making me wonder where I went wrong.
I told him that I needed time to think and maybe find another way. He even looked as if he was confident that I would come back and that his offer wouldn't change.
But why didn't he want to see me?
But even so, I tried to wait for him even though it took hours. For the sake of my life and my father's return, I would do anything.
Until I finally almost fell asleep from the exhaustion of waiting, I saw him come out with a flat, unreadable look on his face. I immediately stood up and approached him at a distance that wasn't too close.
"Mr. Mike, I—"
"I thought you wouldn't accept my help, so I assumed it had expired."
"What ... No! I–you said yourself that I would come back, Mr. Mike. Please, help me. I really need your help."
He looked at me still coldly, unlike earlier. I didn't know why he was like this, but I tried to get his help again.
"Please, Mr. Mike. I really need your help. I ... I will marry you."
He didn't look surprised but he was still silent as if he was considering my answer to his offer.
Then suddenly my cell phone rang and it was Linda, informing me that my father's condition was getting critical and that further treatment was likely to be costly.
Without thinking, I immediately told Linda to say yes while I would take care of myself here with Mike.
My tears fell as my situation became more difficult but I tried to wipe them away so as not to look so weak in front of Mike.
"What happened?" he asked, still coldly. But I thought he might be starting to want to know.
"My father is critical. Please, I really need you help, Mr. Mike."
"So you really want to be my wife?" he asked. "Do you think I'll take back the words I threw away? You know, waiting for an answer is a waste of my time. And since you chose to think, I no longer want to give you that condition. I’m bored."
I really felt cornered by that. He really was an unusual man and very haughty at a time like this.
"You know, Miss Emily, you're an ordinary woman who should be grateful and give me an answer right away when I give you the condition to marry me. Instead of acting like you need time to think about it," he said, sounding like he was mocking me.
“Please, I beg you, Mr. Mike. I won’t refuse again or take time again. I want to be your wife,” I begged while I was crying.
“Are you sure? No turning back?” he asked, making sure while looking at my eyes.
I immediately nodded firmly because I felt there was no other way around it. I thought Mike was there to improve my life. It didn't matter if the price to pay was to marry him.
For now and because my father still could be helped, I would do anything. He had to get well soon and watch her daughter happy.
"Then come with me now. If you came here by car, leave your car," he said, commanding.
I no longer asked where we were going, but I was sure that this might have something to do with the marriage he was offering.
In his car, I was even silent, and occasionally I saw him driving the car, looking so tense. Or was he always like this?
"This is the first time I've recalled what I said was expired, coming into existence again because of you," he opened his voice. “If I have no heart, I will leave you immediately.”
I swallowed and knew that he seemed to be a man of control. I didn't know what my fate would be after marrying him, but I had enough faith that he would help me.
"Thank you for helping me," I told him. "I certainly won't forget this."
I heard his snort but I ignored the snort. It would probably be fine if I found out in the end that he was a person who could bully his clients if he was being too arbitrary.
I also shrugged it off so that I could focus on the fact that he would help me as long as I obeyed him.
And when we arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau building, I finally knew what he had brought me for.
"We're going to do the wedding quickly. I have a lot of connections here so it will be processed quickly too," he said as he unbuckled his seat belt.
"You planned this?" I asked innocently.
Then he looked at me and it lasted a few seconds as if paralyzing me from saying much.
"No. But they can't refuse my orders if I ask them to hurry up."
I got out as soon as he got out of the car. His pace was so fast that I tried to match his pace as well.
As I was about to go inside, the surprising thing for me was that he opened the door and let me in first, giving me a sign that I thought was very gentle.
We were immediately met by an older-looking gentleman, who took care of the paperwork and I didn't ask any questions.
But there was one moment that made my heart pound when he said the sacred vows as the marriage took place as proof that he really married me.
Even I said the same thing and then ended by signing the legal marriage certificate.
I didn't know how, but I certainly felt relieved. But on the one hand, I still couldn't believe that I was actually married to a man who was my ex-fiancé’s uncle.
An awkward feeling came over me as we exited the building. He, who had been tense, no longer showed that expression. Did that mean he was relieved?
"This marriage is purely a transaction, Emily," he said, starting to call my name. "You don't have to worry if I have any malicious intentions towards you."
I nodded in understanding and said, "Thank you, Mr. Mike. I trust you."
"Call me Mike. And another thing, I need a wife for reasons I can't explain. You and I don't need to involve each other's feelings because this marriage is only based on the time that I will decide later. My assistant, Chris, will arrange the contract for you to sign by noon."
I didn't know how I could go through with this marriage with him. He didn't even tell me his specific reason why he needed a wife. And the contract he was referring to ... it meant that I was indeed just a wife contracted by him without any feelings involved.
"Contract? I'm your contracted wife? Is that what you mean?" I asked.
Unfortunately, Mike didn't answer anything and I didn't ask any more questions. I was just worried about my future which might affect our marriage.
Even if he was only my contracted husband, I hoped he had a better nature than his stupid nephew.
(Emily’s POV).Two years had passed, and our lives felt fuller and richer than I’d ever dreamed. Christopher had grown into a bright and beautiful toddler, and every day, I watched him reach new milestones with a mix of joy and awe. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he absorbed everything Mike and I taught him, and he surprised me constantly with the way he understood and remembered the little things. I couldn’t have imagined that I would ever feel this deeply fulfilled or so endlessly proud of the life we’d created together.This life has changed me, too. Just two years ago, I would never have thought I’d find myself married to Mike—my soul mate and, yes, someone much older than me and, admittedly, the uncle of my ex-fiancé. In the beginning, our bond had been a shocking, unexpected twist that seemed almost too good to be real. But with every shared moment, every quiet evening together and every early morning with Christopher, I felt the truth of our connection. I loved him wit
"Daddy's home, Buddy!"The words spilled from my mouth with excitement I couldn’t contain as I stepped into the living room, only to find Mike already cradling Christopher in his arms. The sight of them together was enough to melt my heart. Christopher, so small and fragile, seemed to sense Mike’s presence the moment he walked through the door, and now his tiny hand clung to Mike’s shirt, his bright eyes wide with curiosity.Mike looked up at me, his face softened with a quiet joy that made my heart flutter. "I think he knows I’m back," he said, his voice filled with wonder.I laughed softly, setting my purse aside. "Of course he does. There’s no way he could miss you."I watched them for a moment, unable to look away. There was something so natural, so effortless, about the way Mike held Christopher. It was as if they were two halves of the same heartbeat, already so attuned to each other that even a few days apart felt too long. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I slipped into the k
(Emily’s POV)."I miss you."The words slipped out before I could stop myself. The moment I saw Mike step through the airport gate, every ounce of restraint I’d held over the past few days just melted away. I practically threw myself into his arms, wrapping him in a hug so tight I thought I might never let go.Mike’s hands slid around my waist, pulling me even closer, and I felt his warm breath against my ear. “I missed you too, more than you know,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. There was a rough edge to his tone, a subtle hint of all the things he wasn’t saying aloud. Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, his kiss hungry, demanding, like he was making up for every moment we’d spent apart. My hands slipped up to his shoulders, fingers clinging to the fabric of his shirt as the airport, the people, everything faded around us. It was just him and me, our unspoken longing filling the space between us until it overflowed.Finally, reluctantly, we broke apart, our bre
(Emily’s POV)."Don't cry, Boy. I'm right here," I cooed softly, bouncing Christopher lightly in my arms. His tiny face was scrunched up, cheeks flushed as he let out another wail, the sound piercing in a way that tugged at my heart.I felt a pang of helplessness, a familiar ache that surfaced whenever I couldn’t seem to calm him. Normally, when Mike was here, Christopher barely fussed. I liked to think it was because he sensed the balance and warmth that Mike’s presence brought. And now, that steadiness was gone, at least for a few days. I could only imagine how strange it must feel for Christopher to have half of his usual world missing."Shh, it’s okay. I’m here. We’re going to be just fine,” I murmured, trying not to let my own frustration leak into my tone.Despite my efforts, his cries only grew louder, his little hands curling into tight fists. I could feel my patience thinning, a creeping sense of unease mingling with the exhaustion that came from trying to soothe him on my
(Emily’s POV)."Take care of yourself, Mike. Call me as soon as you land," I said softly, feeling the weight of his upcoming absence settle over me.Mike nodded, his eyes meeting mine, as he gently cradled my face in his hands. "I will. And don’t worry, you’ll hear from me as soon as I’m down." He leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead, his kiss lingering, soft and warm. Then, his mouth found mine, and I melted into him, letting myself be consumed by the kiss. It was longer, deeper than usual, as if neither of us wanted to let go. I could feel his unspoken promise in that kiss—a reassurance that he’d come back to me, always.The sound of his assistant’s voice cut through the air, snapping us back to the present. "Boss, it’s time to take off."Mike broke the kiss with a soft sigh, resting his forehead against mine momentarily. "I love you, Emily," he said, his voice filled with a warmth that wrapped around my heart.I managed a smile, my voice trembling slightly as I replied
(Mike’s POV)."Emily, I’ll be heading out on a business trip for a week. Want to come with me?" I asked, hoping to have her by my side for those seven days. Being away from her, from us, even for just a week, felt heavier than it used to. I just hope she wanted to come to me.She gave me a soft, apologetic smile. “Since having Christopher, I feel like I should stay around the house more,” she said, her hand instinctively reaching up to rest over her heart. “He’s so young, Mike. I don’t want him to wake up without his mom around.”I nodded, suppressing the pang of disappointment. It wasn’t as if I didn’t understand. Ever since Christopher had come into our lives, everything had changed—Emily had changed, and for the better, in so many ways. She was the embodiment of patience, grace, and care, and I was a fool to ever try and pull her away from that.“That’s fair,” I said with a grin, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “But,” I added, voice soft, “just remember, let me know if you head t