44.(Emily’s POV).“Honestly, I’m shocked about you two,” Miguel said, breaking down how I and Mike were kissing before him.“That’s not new again if you’re shocked, Brother. The important thing is, you already know,” Mike replied.Miguel looked at me and I just smiled at him to cover my nervousness. He was my ex-fiance’s father, of course, there was still awkwardness I felt after his son and I broke up. I also knew he must feel disgusted by what he just saw today.“I see you are so serious about this, Emily. I just … didn’t know that the guy you would date after my son is my little brother, who is his uncle.”I sighed and kept smiling in front of him. “I guess love doesn't see age if you mean our age gap, Miguel.”“Miguel, your son is already out of his line, you know that. This is his punishment to be in jail and I hope you don’t mind about this.” Now Mike was trying to clear it up and Miguel seemed never bothered about it. But deep inside, I knew he was mad at Mike for trapping Be
(Emily’s POV).“Dad?!”I was shocked to see him smiling broadly at me, even dressed for a ride on his Harley, wearing only his leather jacket brought by Laura.He looked healthy and even different from how he had last been with me. His arms were stretched out as if he was telling me to hug him.“Don't you want to hug me, my daughter?” I was still in shock and reluctant to move closer to him. His voice was clear in my ears without any flaws. He could move too and that still added to my shock. Because who would have thought that my father could return to normal even without me knowing all this time?“Are you... real?” I asked, still shocked.Then my father came closer and he actually walked normally. His hands were on my shoulders and squeezing me slightly, giving me the reality that this was all real, not a dream or a fantasy.“You feel my touch, my daughter. So I'm real.”I hugged him and my tears fell right there and then. I cried because I was moved and because I was happy. I didn
(Emily's POV).“Emily, since yesterday I haven't talked about Ben,” my father suddenly spoke while we were having breakfast together. I looked at Mike and he just nodded, listening. “I want to visit him today with you, honey. Well, Mike, you're okay with me going with him, right?”This time my father looked at Mike for his approval. Who would have thought that Mike would immediately agree without the sentence that it must be with his bodyguard.Maybe Mike really trusted my father because I was his son after all, and Mike certainly didn't show any worry on his face.“I'm fine as long as Emily is fine,” Mike said.This time the two men looked at me, waiting for my answer since I had been silent. I sighed and finally nodded. “Fine if that's what you want, Dad.”They both smiled and we continued our breakfast quietly without any more conversation.After breakfast, my dad went to get ready in his room while I waited for him sitting in the living room. Mike was by my side, killing time befo
(Emily's POV).“Did you ever think about what if I regretted it and maybe got a chance to be with your daughter again, Jim?”Ben suddenly spoke as my father and I were about to leave. Of course, my dad looked at him and sat back down, and so did I.“You won't get any chance!” I hissed this time, telling him so emphatically.My stomach immediately felt cramped and I was suddenly stressed just imagining him coming back to me. However, I didn't want him to come back and no matter what, even if he changed one day, I would never open the door to my heart for him.“Ben, you really are like a little boy who just grew up, you know. You're not mature at all. Do you think I'll give you that chance? Of course not. So you might as well just dream and enjoy the rest of your life with nothing.”My father immediately pulled my hand to get out of his way and it was a relief to hear him say that, really showing how angry and disappointed he was with Ben.Being outside was even more of a relief, gettin
(Emily’s POV).I tried on several wedding dresses according to Mike's choice and of course as much as possible to fit my stomach for the next month because I was pregnant."How about this? I think I look better in this than I did before," I said as I presented myself in front of Mike.Mike stood up from the chair and he came closer to me. He looked like he was stunned by my appearance and his hands were on my waist."You're beautiful, Love. I've fallen in love with you so many times, you know. You really... leave me speechless."I swallowed. Just hearing his compliments made my heartbeat. He really knew how to please his women and I always fell under his charm."So, this mermaid gown is what I will wear later?" I asked again to confirm.He nodded while frowning and suddenly laughed. "Wait, you call this mermaid gown?"I nodded in surprise. "That's the name, Mike. Don't make fun of it!" I was embarrassed even though I knew that what I said was true. Even the name tag said Mermaid Weddi
(Mike's POV)."So, you’re going to remarry my daughter, huh?"The question came from Jimmy, Emily’s father, with the weight of both curiosity and warning in his voice. His eyes, still sharp despite the health battles he’d faced, focused entirely on me. Emily stood beside me, her hand resting gently on my arm, but I knew this was a moment between Jimmy and me—a moment where everything I’d ever promised to Emily was about to be scrutinized. I was ready for it.Emily had told me that this would happen eventually, that her father—recovering from a stroke—would want to talk to me, man to man. And while Emily was my heart, her father’s approval mattered. It was an unspoken rule. Emily squeezed my arm and kissed my cheek before excusing herself from the room, her father’s office, leaving us alone. The door closed with a soft thud, sealing in the gravity of the moment.I stood across from Jimmy, hands at my sides, and waited for him to make the next move. The old man waved me over to the c
(Emily's POV).“Did my dad make you scared?” I asked Mike, breaking the comfortable silence in the car as we drove toward his mansion. I watched him, his jaw tight as he focused on the road, yet calm. I loved how Mike always seemed to be in control, but after today, after that conversation with my dad, I couldn’t help but wonder if it shook him a little.Mike glanced at me briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “No, Love,” he said smoothly, “the only thing that could’ve scared me was if your dad told me not to be with you.” He paused for a moment, letting that sink in. “Even though I’ve known from the start that he liked me.”I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up from my chest. “Wow, Mike, way to be humble,” I teased, giving him a playful punch on the arm. “You’re so confident.”His grin widened as he shrugged. “What can I say? There’s nothing in the world I’m afraid of… except losing you.”Those words hit me harder than I expected. My face flushed, warmth creeping up from
(Emily's POV). "It feels so good, you know. We always enjoy our lovey-dovey every night." I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face as I lay there next to Mike, still catching my breath. My body hummed with a sense of satisfaction, that familiar warmth spreading through my limbs. I rolled over on the bed, resting my head on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. Mike let out a low chuckle, his hand absentmindedly running through his tousled hair. His body was drenched in sweat, but the scent of him—warm, clean, and faintly musky—always made me dizzy in the best way. I swear, sometimes it was like he showered in cologne, but I knew better. He just naturally smelled like that. It was infuriating and addictive all at once. He rubbed his arm, still catching his breath too. "I’ve never been like this before," he admitted, his voice low and a little rough. He turned his head to look at me, his eyes dark and full of something intense. "Not even with… o