(Emily’s POV).“Do you want me to help you?” I asked Laura as I stepped into the kitchen, the smell of garlic and herbs filling the air. She was moving around gracefully, her sleeves rolled up, hands busy chopping vegetables, and the stovetop bubbling with what I assumed was her signature sauce.Laura turned her head, giving me that warm, knowing smile. "Are you sure Mike would be okay with that?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I thought he didn't allow you to get tired with all these activities."I sighed softly, leaning against the counter for a moment. “He’s protective, yes… a little too protective sometimes,” I admitted with a slight shake of my head. "But cooking? It’s hardly abnormal. I’ve missed being in the kitchen. I miss cooking for Mike.”Laura chuckled, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. “Well, if you’re that eager to help, I won’t stop you.” She stepped aside slightly, gesturing to the cutting board. “Why don’t you chop the carrots? Yo
(Emily’s POV). “Do you want me to help you?” I asked Laura as I stepped into the kitchen, the smell of garlic and herbs filling the air. She was moving around gracefully, her sleeves rolled up, hands busy chopping vegetables, and the stovetop bubbling with what I assumed was her signature sauce. Laura turned her head, giving me that warm, knowing smile. "Are you sure Mike would be okay with that?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I thought he didn't allow you to get tired with all these activities." I sighed softly, leaning against the counter for a moment. “He’s protective, yes… a little too protective sometimes,” I admitted with a slight shake of my head. "But cooking? It’s hardly abnormal. I’ve missed being in the kitchen. I miss cooking for Mike.” Laura chuckled, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. “Well, if you’re that eager to help, I won’t stop you.” She stepped aside slightly, gesturing to the cutting board. “Why don’t you chop
(Emily’s POV)."Hi, I cooked lunch for you. Is it okay if I come to your office?" I asked, my voice light as I held the phone to my ear. I had just finished packing the lunch into the food box, ensuring everything was neatly organized. Mike had been so busy lately that we barely had time for lunch together, and it might brighten his day if I surprised him. But still, I wanted to make sure he didn’t mind me dropping by.On the other end, I heard his deep chuckle, the sound instantly warming my heart. “Of course it’s okay,” Mike said, his voice filled with affection. “I’d be more than happy if you came over. I’ve missed having lunch with you.”A smile crept across my face at his words. “I’ll come over, then,” I said, already feeling the excitement build inside me. “I’ll have the driver take me. Should I bring Christopher along, or do you want me all to yourself?”Mike laughed again, a low, soothing sound. “As much as I love our son, leave him with the staff today. You’re still recover
(Mike’s POV).“Why are you here? Why can you—” Emily’s voice trembled, her question left unfinished as she stood frozen in shock, her wide eyes fixed on the figure in the doorway. Ben.The air seemed to thicken, a heavy silence falling over the room. I could feel the shift in Emily's body beside me, her hand gripping mine tightly as cold sweat beaded on her brow. I stepped in front of her instinctively, pulling her closer to my side. My chest tightened at the sight of him, anger swirling within me like a storm waiting to break loose."Who released you from prison?" I demanded, my voice sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. Ben, my nephew—the man who had nearly destroyed Emily with his lies, his betrayal—stood there in front of us as if it were nothing as if the past hadn’t happened.He had no right to be here.Ben’s face was blank, expressionless, his eyes void of the usual arrogance I had always despised. He didn’t answer my question immediately. Instead, he took a step
(Mike’s POV)."Who the hell are you? Get off me!" Ellen's voice pierced through the walls, full of desperation and fury. I stood just outside the door, hearing her screams as she fought against the men I had sent to retrieve her. She must have been struggling hard, like a cornered animal, thrashing wildly. Ellen had no idea that it had been me behind all this. But she would soon find out.I’d instructed my men to bring her in—quietly, efficiently, no unnecessary attention. I wanted to confront her face-to-face, one-on-one. And it wasn’t until they caught her, wrestling her into submission, that Ellen realized the gravity of the situation.The truth was, Ellen thought she could get away with anything. Meddling in my family’s affairs, making reckless decisions that endangered everything I cared about. She’d underestimated me. She always did.As I approached the door, wearing black leather gloves I’d slipped on in preparation for this meeting, I braced myself. If things got rough, I wa
(Mike’s POV).“Hey, how’s your day?” Emily greeted me with her usual warmth the moment I stepped through the door. Her voice was soft, comforting—like it always was. But today, it couldn’t chase away the exhaustion hanging over me. I closed the door behind me and exhaled slowly, loosening my tie. "It was fine," I replied, my voice flat. I didn’t want to worry her. Not yet.Emily gave me a look—one that said she knew better. She always did. She could see right through me, the way I held tension in my shoulders or how my jaw clenched when something was on my mind. Without saying a word, she knew I wasn’t fine. "You look tired," she said softly, walking up to me, her gaze full of concern. Her fingers brushed against my arm, coaxing me gently toward the living room. "Come on, sit down for a minute."I didn’t resist. She guided me to the sofa, and I sank into it with a heavy sigh. I leaned back, letting the cushions take the weight I had been carrying all day."I’ll make you some tea,
(Emily's POV).“Can you tell me more specifically what you decided for her?” I asked, my voice quiet but insistent as I slipped under the covers. Mike had already turned off the lights, and the room was dark except for the faint glow of the bedside lamp. We were supposed to be getting ready for bed, but my mind was still spinning from everything I’d found out earlier.Mike paused, standing at the foot of the bed, his hands lingering at the hem of his shirt. He sighed deeply, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "Why do you want to know more, Love?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.I could feel his hesitation, but I wasn’t going to let him evade this. Not now. "Because I know you," I said softly, looking at him in the dim light. "I know you’ve done something... something more than you’ve told me."He sat down on the edge of the bed, still not looking at me, and I could see the tension in his shoulders. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched b
(Emily's POV)."Tonight, there’s a big family dinner. It includes Ben. Do you want to come?" Mike’s voice broke through the comfortable silence as we sat at the dining table, enjoying breakfast.I paused mid-bite, the fork suspended between my plate and my mouth. The food I had been casually enjoying suddenly felt like a lump in my throat, and I had to force myself to swallow. Ben. Dinner. With the Johnsons. Mike’s family. It meant I had to meet him; Ben - my ex.I placed the fork down gently and turned to look at him, trying to hide the shock I felt. My heart started to pound. Ben and I hadn’t been in the same room since... since everything fell apart between us. And now I am married to Mike, his uncle. The idea of sitting across from Ben, of having to face him while pretending everything was fine—it was daunting.But I couldn’t refuse, could I? Not when Mike was asking. Not when I’d already stepped into this complicated world when I said yes to him."I... I guess I should go," I