Emma’s hands trembled as she adjusted her dress, the silk fabric feeling like a weight against her skin. She had done everything she could to prepare herself, but nothing could fully steel her for the confrontation ahead. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as she stood by the door, waiting for the inevitable.Her father was coming.She could already hear the sound of the car outside, the low rumble of an engine that seemed to make her pulse race faster. Emma swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing, but it was impossible. Her heart was in her throat, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of confusion and fear.What does he want?It wasn’t just the uncertainty of the meeting that was unsettling—it was the cold realization that, no matter what, this would be a battle. A battle for control, a battle for her future. And the stakes were higher than ever.There was a soft knock at the door, followed by the creak of it slowly opening. Ethan stood in the doorway, his e
The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the blinds as Emma sat at the desk in their study, her thoughts swirling in a haze. The confrontation with her father earlier had shaken her, but it had also cleared the fog in her mind. There was no turning back now—she had made her choice. No matter what came next, she was ready to face it.But the weight of her decision was heavy. Her father’s words still echoed in her ears, like a warning she couldn’t shake.There are consequences...The sound of footsteps approaching broke her from her reverie. Ethan appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding, yet there was something softer in his eyes that made Emma’s heart skip a beat. He hadn’t said much after the confrontation, giving her space to process, but now he seemed intent on closing the distance between them.He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes never leaving hers. “You okay?”Emma managed a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”Ethan p
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Emma stirred slightly, her body still heavy from the weight of yesterday’s emotions. She could feel Ethan beside her, his steady presence a comforting reminder that despite the chaos surrounding them, they were no longer fighting alone.She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and sighed. Another day, another battle. But today felt different—there was a strange quiet in the air, as though everything had paused for just a moment. It was the calm before the storm, and Emma had learned that in their world, peace was always fleeting.Ethan had already woken up, his usual determination apparent even in the way he held himself. He was sitting at the edge of the bed, fully dressed, his back straight as he gazed out the window. His posture radiated the quiet confidence she had come to admire, yet there was something in his eyes—a flicker of uncertainty that he was trying to hide.“Morning,”
The air was thick with tension as Emma paced the length of the living room, her mind racing through everything they had discussed. Ethan was already in his study, going over the strategy with his team, but Emma felt a nervous energy pulsing through her. This was real. Everything they had feared, everything they had tried to avoid, was finally coming to a head.She had never imagined she would be in this position—facing off with her own family, torn between loyalty and self-preservation. The decision she had made to marry Ethan, to stand by his side, had been the hardest choice of her life, but it was also the most necessary. She couldn’t go back now, no matter how much her family might try to pull her back into their toxic grasp.The soft sound of footsteps behind her made her turn. Ethan stood in the doorway, his dark eyes locked on her, his expression unreadable but intense. There was something about the way he looked at her—a mixture of pride, concern, and a touch of vulnerability—
The press conference was set to begin in less than an hour, and Emma could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She and Ethan had spent the last several days preparing, strategizing every step, but nothing could completely prepare her for the onslaught of questions that awaited them.As she stood backstage, waiting for the signal to step onto the stage, she could feel the tension in the air. Ethan was beside her, his jaw clenched, his face unreadable. He was always the calm and collected one, but Emma knew how much this meant to him. To both of them.Her heart beat faster as she looked at him, catching the rare vulnerability in his eyes. “We’ve got this,” she said quietly, more to reassure herself than him.Ethan met her gaze, his eyes dark and intense. “We always have, Emma. This is just another battle.”She nodded, her resolve strengthening. They had faced worse—this was just the final test. The test that would either break them or solidify their future.The signal ca
The press conference had ended, leaving a mix of tension and relief in its wake. Ethan and Emma exited the venue, their expressions unreadable as cameras followed their every move. The ride back to the mansion was silent, each lost in their thoughts.Emma stared out the window, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress. The words she had spoken earlier replayed in her mind. She had meant every single one, but the vulnerability of baring her emotions in front of the world still lingered.Ethan’s hand on hers pulled her from her thoughts. His touch was firm yet comforting. “You did well,” he said, his voice breaking the silence.She turned to him, searching his face for any trace of doubt. Instead, she found something rare—approval. “So did you,” she replied softly, her lips curving into a small smile.They arrived at the mansion to find the staff lined up, their demeanor more respectful than usual. The press conference had clearly sent a message, one that resonated even withi
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the master bedroom. Emma stirred beneath the covers, her eyes fluttering open. She turned to find Ethan already awake, sitting in his wheelchair by the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate below. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw was set. Whatever Jake had brought to his attention last night was still weighing heavily on his mind. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and approached him, her bare feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet. “Couldn’t sleep?” she asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Ethan didn’t turn to look at her, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Too much on my mind,” he admitted. His voice was low, almost distant. Emma pulled up a chair beside him, sitting down so they were eye level. “Want to talk about it?” For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, with a sigh, he turned to face her. “It’s not just the betrayal, Emma. It’s the fact that someone I trusted
Ethan gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly as Jake pushed him into the study. The urgency in Jake’s tone still echoed in his ears. Whatever the investigation had uncovered, it was significant enough to warrant dragging him away from the rare moment of peace he’d shared with Emma.The study was dimly lit, the large oak table spread with files, photographs, and a laptop displaying a paused video. Emma followed closely, her eyes scanning the setup with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.Jake stepped forward and cleared his throat. “We’ve confirmed the traitor, sir. It’s someone within your inner circle.”Ethan’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold. “Show me.”Jake hit play on the video. The footage showed a surveillance camera in one of the company’s private conference rooms. A familiar figure was hunched over a laptop, typing furiously. The timestamp indicated this had taken place late at night, long after normal business hours.“Linford?” Ethan growled, his tone sharp enough to c
The next morning, Ethan woke up feeling lighter than he had in years. The weight of his past mistakes and regrets still lingered, but they no longer crushed him. Instead, they served as reminders of how far he had come—and how much he still had to do.As he descended the stairs, he heard Emma’s voice in the kitchen. She was humming a soft tune while preparing breakfast, a domestic scene so peaceful that it momentarily took his breath away. For a man who had spent years cloaked in cold indifference, this newfound warmth was both unfamiliar and welcome.He entered the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, watching her. Emma turned around, her face lighting up when she saw him.“Good morning,” she greeted, handing him a cup of coffee.“Good morning,” Ethan replied, his voice unusually soft. He took a sip, savoring both the coffee and the moment.****Later that afternoon, an unexpected car pulled into their driveway. Ethan frowned as he glanced out the window, recognizing the sleek bla
Ethan sat by the large window in his study, staring out at the garden as the winter sun cast long, golden shadows on the frost-kissed grass. His once proud and commanding presence had been softened by months of rehabilitation and reflection. Yet, deep inside, the embers of his determination still burned, fanned by Emma’s relentless support.Emma entered the room with a steaming cup of tea in hand, her footsteps light but purposeful. She set the cup on the table beside him, her gaze lingering on his face. He looked better now—healthier, more alive—but the weight of his recent trials still rested heavily on his shoulders."How are you feeling today?" she asked gently, pulling a chair closer to him.Ethan turned to her, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Better, thanks to you. I’ve been meaning to say..." He paused, his fingers tracing the edge of the armrest. "You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has. I don’t know how I can repay you."Emma shrugged, her expression teasing. "You
The morning sunlight bathed the expansive Johnson estate in a warm glow, but inside Ethan’s office, the atmosphere was anything but serene. Ethan sat at his desk, his wheelchair positioned at an angle that gave him a clear view of the sprawling garden beyond the windows. Documents, spreadsheets, and reports were scattered before him, but his attention was miles away.Emma had become a presence he couldn’t ignore. Her voice, her laughter, even her sarcasm had carved a permanent place in his life. But this morning, she seemed different—quieter, distracted. He noticed it the moment she entered the room with a tray of breakfast."Good morning," she greeted, placing the tray on his desk.Ethan glanced at her, noting the faint circles under her eyes. "You didn’t sleep well," he observed.Emma shrugged, forcing a smile. "You’re not my only patient, you know. I had some late-night calls.""You could’ve woken me up," Ethan replied, his tone teasing but laced with genuine concern.Emma snorted.
The silence between them stretched as Ethan’s confession lingered in the air. Emma didn’t press him further; she knew from experience that forcing him would only make him retreat deeper into his shell. Instead, she stood and began pushing his wheelchair again, letting him set the pace of their conversation.As they rounded a corner of the garden, the estate's sprawling fountain came into view. The cascading water glimmered under the late afternoon sun, creating a serene atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the storm of emotions Ethan was wrestling with.Emma broke the silence, her tone light but meaningful. “You know, when I was a kid, I used to think fountains were magical. I thought if you tossed in a coin and made a wish, it would come true.”Ethan arched a brow, his lips curving slightly. “And how many wishes did you make?”“Countless,” she admitted with a soft laugh. “Most of them were silly—like wishing for endless chocolate or a pony. But there was one I made every time.”“W
The gentle hum of birds in the garden wasn’t enough to silence the storm brewing in Ethan’s mind. Emma walked beside him, her hand lightly resting on the handle of his wheelchair. She had insisted on pushing him, despite his protests, claiming it was “therapeutic” for them both.Ethan, for once, relented.The garden was sprawling and serene, the afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the well-manicured hedges and blooming flowers. Emma guided him along the cobblestone path, her chatter filling the silence he was so used to.“And you wouldn’t believe the amount of trouble I got into sneaking textbooks into my room,” Emma said with a soft laugh. “My parents thought I was obsessed with novels, but in reality, I was devouring medical journals.”Ethan glanced at her, intrigued despite himself. “You really went through all that to study medicine?”Her smile faltered briefly, but she nodded. “It was the only thing that made me feel alive—like I had a purpose. Being the unwanted daughter
The day unfolded with a tense stillness that neither Ethan nor Emma dared to break. He had retreated to his office, burying himself in work, while Emma busied herself with household tasks. But the unspoken words between them lingered like a storm cloud, threatening to break at any moment.By afternoon, Emma decided she couldn’t take the suffocating silence any longer. She found Ethan in his office, his wheelchair angled toward the large mahogany desk cluttered with files. His brow was furrowed in concentration, but she could tell he was using work as an excuse to avoid their earlier conversation.“Ethan,” she said, stepping into the room.He didn’t look up. “If this is about breakfast—”“It’s not,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “It’s about us.”Ethan’s hand stilled over a document, his jaw tightening. He sighed and finally looked at her. “There is no ‘us,’ Emma. I thought I made that clear this morning.”She crossed her arms, refusing to back down. “You don’t get to decide that o
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the spacious bedroom. Ethan stirred awake, his sharp mind quickly remembering the events of the night before. He turned his head to find Emma still fast asleep, her face relaxed in peaceful slumber.For a moment, he allowed himself to admire her, the way the morning light caught in her hair and softened her features. She looked so different from the stubborn, opinionated woman who often challenged him. Vulnerable, even.What am I doing? he wondered, a pang of uncertainty creeping into his chest. This wasn’t part of his plan—letting anyone in, letting her in.He carefully moved to sit up, his legs still lifeless and frustratingly uncooperative. The wheelchair sat by the bedside, a reminder of his limitations. Ethan’s jaw tightened as he transferred himself to the chair, a motion he had perfected out of necessity.He didn’t notice Emma stir awake until her soft voice broke the silence.“You’re up early.
Ethan sat alone in his study, the faint hum of the city below barely registering in his mind. The meeting had taken more out of him than he cared to admit. His hands rested on the wheels of his chair, his body rigid with unspent tension.Emma’s words from earlier lingered in his mind: You’re not alone anymore.He clenched his jaw. What did she know about loneliness? About survival? Yet her stubborn determination to stand by him, even when he pushed her away, made him question everything he thought he knew about relationships.A soft knock broke the silence.“Come in,” he said, his voice sharper than intended.The door creaked open, and Emma stepped in cautiously. She was dressed in casual attire, a stark contrast to the poised professional who had accompanied him earlier.“Ethan,” she began, her tone tentative, “I know you hate interruptions, but I couldn’t sleep. I thought…” She trailed off, holding up a tray with two mugs. “Coffee?”He stared at her, unsure whether to send her away
The sun peeked through the curtains of Ethan's penthouse, casting a golden hue over the sleek, modern decor. Emma stirred on the couch, her medical journals scattered across the coffee table, evidence of another late night spent studying. Her peaceful slumber was broken by the faint hum of Ethan's wheelchair as he maneuvered into the living room.He paused at the sight of her, her hair slightly disheveled and her expression serene in sleep. A flicker of warmth crossed his usually stoic features, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared."You're going to ruin your back sleeping there," he said, his voice firm but quieter than usual.Emma jolted awake, blinking groggily before registering his presence. "Good morning to you too," she mumbled, stretching."You have a bed, Emma," Ethan said, rolling closer.She shrugged, giving him a sheepish grin. "The couch was closer to the coffee. Priorities."Ethan let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head. "Get up. We have a meeting in two hours."Emma