Emma was on the couch, her phone in her ear, fidgeting with her nails in her teeth. It was 9: 26 p.m. The beeping continued, and a voice could be heard in the distance. “Hello.” “Hi, Mr. Queen.” She called happily, then tapped her brow, feeling awkward. “Hi, Ezra.” “You called.” He could not believe she would phoned him. He wondered why. "Is everything all right?" “Yes. But I am troubled.” “Why?” He walked over to his couch, holding a bottle of water in his hand. He had just returned from his evening run. “Is there anything I need to know about?” Wasn’t that why she called? In order to tell him what was bothering her? “It is about Zoe.” “Is she all right?” “Yes. She is. She is perfectly fine.” "So, what is the issue?" “I got her result today. Concerning the test I mentioned to you." “Yes. I remember. Did she fail them? Is that why you are concerned? Emma, she is still three years old. She still has a lot to learn, so—" he was interrupted. "Zoella passed everything." “What?
Two days later...Ezra turned off the gas when he heard his phone ringing in the distance. It was placed on the dining room table. He removed his apron and walked over to the dining table to see who had called him early Saturday morning. “Mother?” That was clearly visible on his phone's screen. He picked up his phone and placed it in his ear. "Good morning, mother." "Good morning, son." She sounded depressed, but Ezra knew it was just another of her jokes. She either wants him to return home with a woman he loves so they can plan a wedding, or she wants to complain about something he is unaware of at the moment. "It is very early, mother. This is my day of rest." “It is 8 in the morning, boy. How are you doing today?” "Exactly the same as yesterday." He had talked to Emma before he left work about what time he should get to the house for the outing. Emma had told him about enrolling Zoe in her class and how surprised everyone was when Zoe was introduced. A young boy had yelled. “
Blinking several times, Emma continued to look into his eyes. The hardest part was getting her gaze away from him. She was salivating. She was daydreaming. And she wanted to stay there for a long time—until she heard Zoe speak. “Oopies. Emma. Are you okay?” Ezra balanced her and released her. "Are you all right?" He inquired, and she fell again, but she was caught in his arms for the second time. “Hey. Easy there,” he laughed, setting her on her feat again. Emma tucked her hair behind her ears, nervously laughing, hoping he would notice how much work she had put into her face and compliment her. He did not seem to notice. “So sorry about that. My legs become weak when I meet someone who takes my breathhhhhhhhh…” She dragged out the last words so long that she had to correct herself as soon as she came back to her senses. "I mean, I am getting older, and these heels are making it so difficult. It makes my bones brittle. The legs bones.” He looked down at her legs. "You do not have
"She is no longer there! Zoe is gone!” “Emma, Calm down. Breathe.” Ezra said, both hands on her shoulders, trying to smooth her. Emma raised her gaze at him. “Don’t tell me to calm down. She is gone!” Her eyes were starting to well up with tears. She sniffled. “We will find her. I promise. First and foremost, we must contact the police." He reached for his phone, but she shook her head. “No.” “What?” “No. We can not call the cops." Ezra gave her a curious look. “Why not? This place is huge. She could be anywhere.” "What if she injures herself before they arrive? We have to find her. Quick, Ezra. Nothing should happen to my daughter because I will not be able to leave with myself!" Emma yelled as she jerked away from Ezra and ran towards the swing where Zoe was last seen. If Zoe is hurt, she will be taken to the hospital, where the truth will be revealed. If that happens, she will be doomed and imprisoned for the rest of her life. No. She cannot allow this to happen. She needs
Emma stared out the window as the car drove through the streets on the way home. It was 6 p.m., and Zoe was fast asleep in her seat. Her thoughts have not been settled in one place since Ezra mentioned buying her a house on his property, and she has been silent the entire time. The rain suddenly started to pour, blurring the view out the car window. Emma sagged back in her chair and sighed. “Is everything okay?” He’d noticed she hadn’t said a word since they left the park. “Yes. Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She laughed a little nervously. "Because you have not said anything? If this is related to the house, Emma, please understand that I am only trying to look out for my daughter and want her to have the best.”Can he please stop saying that? Her stomach turned just by hearing that word. Zoe is not your daughter; she wanted to yell but instead she said, “I know. She is fortunate to have you as a father, and I know you want the best for her." “She will live a normal life and co
"I'm so, so sorry." He turned his head away as soon as he stood up. Emma draped the shirt around her body. The shirt was larger and longer for her, and it completely covered her. “You weren’t at fault.” She looked at him. "It is all right; you can look at me now." Instead of turning to face her, Ezra walked to the door. “Goodnight, Emma.” He spoke, and as he was about to close the door, he paused due to the growling in her stomach. He sighed and moved his gaze to her. "I just realised I only served you tea, not dinner." “Yeah.” Her arms were encircling her. "Zoe has not eaten either. I should wake her up so she can eat something before going back to bed." “You are right. Come on.” She accompanied him out of the room. Ezra told her he would meet her in the kitchen and turned to walk in a different direction. Emma complied and went into the kitchen to wait. After a few minutes, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. As he approached the kitchen, Zoe was in his arms, her hand ru
His mouth tasted like cold, fresh juice. The kind that reminds you of summer air, the sea, and the sun. As Emma kissed him further, she didn’t want to let go. It was something she yearned for. It was something she had always desired. To be held by him. To be in his arms. Protected, safe, and loved. It reminded her of three years ago, when he carried her into the hotel room and made love to her. If only things had gone differently, she would have stayed and tried her luck. She would not have stolen from him and fled. What kind of woman would consider harming a man like Ezra Queen? She, of course. She had done so and continues to do so, and she felt guilty as he kissed her more. The thought made her break away from the kiss and she met his gaze. His ocean blue eyes locked on her, and Emma was certain he could see her soul as her heart beat faster.“Are you okay?” He asked. She wanted to scream, "Ezra, I am so sorry. Zoe isn’t yours. She is adopted. But I love you, and I went through a
Emma froze on her feet as she met Winter's widened eyes. Her plan had been to run into the bathroom and emerge when Winter was gone, but she was apprehended on her way out of the kitchen. “Winter.” She chuckled nervously. “How are you doing, love? Happy Sunday.” Winter looked her over and examined her. “What are you doing here? It appears from the way you are dressed that you spent the night here.” "No, I didn’t.” She flatly denied it. "You are dressed in Ezra's shirt." She gave a nod. "Yes, you slept here." With a sly grin, she approached Emma and muttered, “Don’t worry. I am rooting for both of you. Oh, it is as if my dream is coming true." Emma was watching her as she rejoiced. “Emma. You have my permission. Now, where is my phone?” She moved over to the couch and noticed it behind her bag. She held it out for Emma to see. “Found it. I will be seeing my brother now.” Emma remembered Zoe was upstairs in Ezra's room as Winter walked to the stairs. "I think it is best if I call h
Phoebe exclaimed, turning her head towards Emma, as she stood in front of the large mansion. "You never mentioned your friend was loaded." On the ride to Susan’s home, she’d been glaring at the houses they passed by. When Emma said she had a colleague, she never imagined it was a wealthy one. “Susan doesn’t like to brag.” “Emma. Why are we in Bella’s house?” Zoe asked. "You are going to have a play date with Bella. Are you not pumped?" Zoe shook her head. “No. I am not in Bella’s class anymore.” Emma rolled her eyes. She is a kid, so she should act like one. Why is having a special child so difficult? There is a difficult situation at hand, and Phoebe is unaware that Ezra wants her to begin living on his estate so Zoe can live comfortably. "You are a kid, Zoella, so you are going to have a playdate today. Whether you like it or not." “But…” Her eyes began to well up. "Emma must attend to some business. Come on.” She held her hand as they walked to the door. Emma pressed the door
Emma arrived home around 10:30 a.m., and the driver had dropped her off at Ezra's request. He could not bring them himself, which she understood, but that was not the issue. Things were becoming increasingly complicated, and Phoebe would be furious if she found out. Winter is aware of Zoe, so there is no doubt that the rest of the family will be as well. Her heart was racing as she stepped out of the car with Zoe. “Thank you.” She thanked the driver and watched him drive away before returning her attention to her building. She would be leaving this place and moving into Ezra's estate by tomorrow. Things will not get any easier from there. “Emma. I had fun today. I think Winter likes me.” Zoe stated, but there was no response. Emma, on the other hand, was deep in thought. Zoe called her name as she tucked her pants repeatedly. "Is there something wrong?" Emma inquired, looking down at her. “Why are you staring at the house? Is it because Daddy wants us to move to the new house?" E
Emma froze on her feet as she met Winter's widened eyes. Her plan had been to run into the bathroom and emerge when Winter was gone, but she was apprehended on her way out of the kitchen. “Winter.” She chuckled nervously. “How are you doing, love? Happy Sunday.” Winter looked her over and examined her. “What are you doing here? It appears from the way you are dressed that you spent the night here.” "No, I didn’t.” She flatly denied it. "You are dressed in Ezra's shirt." She gave a nod. "Yes, you slept here." With a sly grin, she approached Emma and muttered, “Don’t worry. I am rooting for both of you. Oh, it is as if my dream is coming true." Emma was watching her as she rejoiced. “Emma. You have my permission. Now, where is my phone?” She moved over to the couch and noticed it behind her bag. She held it out for Emma to see. “Found it. I will be seeing my brother now.” Emma remembered Zoe was upstairs in Ezra's room as Winter walked to the stairs. "I think it is best if I call h
His mouth tasted like cold, fresh juice. The kind that reminds you of summer air, the sea, and the sun. As Emma kissed him further, she didn’t want to let go. It was something she yearned for. It was something she had always desired. To be held by him. To be in his arms. Protected, safe, and loved. It reminded her of three years ago, when he carried her into the hotel room and made love to her. If only things had gone differently, she would have stayed and tried her luck. She would not have stolen from him and fled. What kind of woman would consider harming a man like Ezra Queen? She, of course. She had done so and continues to do so, and she felt guilty as he kissed her more. The thought made her break away from the kiss and she met his gaze. His ocean blue eyes locked on her, and Emma was certain he could see her soul as her heart beat faster.“Are you okay?” He asked. She wanted to scream, "Ezra, I am so sorry. Zoe isn’t yours. She is adopted. But I love you, and I went through a
"I'm so, so sorry." He turned his head away as soon as he stood up. Emma draped the shirt around her body. The shirt was larger and longer for her, and it completely covered her. “You weren’t at fault.” She looked at him. "It is all right; you can look at me now." Instead of turning to face her, Ezra walked to the door. “Goodnight, Emma.” He spoke, and as he was about to close the door, he paused due to the growling in her stomach. He sighed and moved his gaze to her. "I just realised I only served you tea, not dinner." “Yeah.” Her arms were encircling her. "Zoe has not eaten either. I should wake her up so she can eat something before going back to bed." “You are right. Come on.” She accompanied him out of the room. Ezra told her he would meet her in the kitchen and turned to walk in a different direction. Emma complied and went into the kitchen to wait. After a few minutes, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. As he approached the kitchen, Zoe was in his arms, her hand ru
Emma stared out the window as the car drove through the streets on the way home. It was 6 p.m., and Zoe was fast asleep in her seat. Her thoughts have not been settled in one place since Ezra mentioned buying her a house on his property, and she has been silent the entire time. The rain suddenly started to pour, blurring the view out the car window. Emma sagged back in her chair and sighed. “Is everything okay?” He’d noticed she hadn’t said a word since they left the park. “Yes. Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She laughed a little nervously. "Because you have not said anything? If this is related to the house, Emma, please understand that I am only trying to look out for my daughter and want her to have the best.”Can he please stop saying that? Her stomach turned just by hearing that word. Zoe is not your daughter; she wanted to yell but instead she said, “I know. She is fortunate to have you as a father, and I know you want the best for her." “She will live a normal life and co
"She is no longer there! Zoe is gone!” “Emma, Calm down. Breathe.” Ezra said, both hands on her shoulders, trying to smooth her. Emma raised her gaze at him. “Don’t tell me to calm down. She is gone!” Her eyes were starting to well up with tears. She sniffled. “We will find her. I promise. First and foremost, we must contact the police." He reached for his phone, but she shook her head. “No.” “What?” “No. We can not call the cops." Ezra gave her a curious look. “Why not? This place is huge. She could be anywhere.” "What if she injures herself before they arrive? We have to find her. Quick, Ezra. Nothing should happen to my daughter because I will not be able to leave with myself!" Emma yelled as she jerked away from Ezra and ran towards the swing where Zoe was last seen. If Zoe is hurt, she will be taken to the hospital, where the truth will be revealed. If that happens, she will be doomed and imprisoned for the rest of her life. No. She cannot allow this to happen. She needs
Blinking several times, Emma continued to look into his eyes. The hardest part was getting her gaze away from him. She was salivating. She was daydreaming. And she wanted to stay there for a long time—until she heard Zoe speak. “Oopies. Emma. Are you okay?” Ezra balanced her and released her. "Are you all right?" He inquired, and she fell again, but she was caught in his arms for the second time. “Hey. Easy there,” he laughed, setting her on her feat again. Emma tucked her hair behind her ears, nervously laughing, hoping he would notice how much work she had put into her face and compliment her. He did not seem to notice. “So sorry about that. My legs become weak when I meet someone who takes my breathhhhhhhhh…” She dragged out the last words so long that she had to correct herself as soon as she came back to her senses. "I mean, I am getting older, and these heels are making it so difficult. It makes my bones brittle. The legs bones.” He looked down at her legs. "You do not have
Two days later...Ezra turned off the gas when he heard his phone ringing in the distance. It was placed on the dining room table. He removed his apron and walked over to the dining table to see who had called him early Saturday morning. “Mother?” That was clearly visible on his phone's screen. He picked up his phone and placed it in his ear. "Good morning, mother." "Good morning, son." She sounded depressed, but Ezra knew it was just another of her jokes. She either wants him to return home with a woman he loves so they can plan a wedding, or she wants to complain about something he is unaware of at the moment. "It is very early, mother. This is my day of rest." “It is 8 in the morning, boy. How are you doing today?” "Exactly the same as yesterday." He had talked to Emma before he left work about what time he should get to the house for the outing. Emma had told him about enrolling Zoe in her class and how surprised everyone was when Zoe was introduced. A young boy had yelled. “