David’s sobs echoed in the room, filling the air with a heavy sense of betrayal.Emma stood frozen, her mind racing as she processed his confession while the others remained silent, their gazes darting between David and Emma, waiting for her next move.Finally, Emma stepped forward, her voice cold and measured, “Explain. Now.”David lifted his tear-streaked face, his words tumbling out in a panicked rush, “They….. they approached me months ago.”Flashback to three months agoDavid's felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing, he was being watched by someone. He didn't know who or why but he didn't like it. He thanked the barister as his coffee was handed to him and immediately ran out of the café. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself so he tried to be subtle about it. Though anyone who watched him closely could tell he was walking faster than usual but that was just to anyone. The moment he turned at the next corner, David knew he had walked into a trap. A bunc
Emma’s eyelids fluttered open to the glare of hospital lights. The scent of antiseptic filled her nose, and the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor was heard in her ears.Her head throbbed and she could feel a loud pounding in her head and her body felt like it had been through a war.“Where…?” She muttered, her voice hoarse and barely audible.“Mommy.”The familiar voice pulled her fully awake, turning her head, she saw her twins, Jason and Anna huddled beside her, tears streaked their small faces as they clung to her arms, their tiny hands trembling.“Mommy, you’re awake.” Anna cried, burying her face in Emma’s shoulder.“Baby, don’t cry baby. Mummy's right here, I'm here with you baby.” Emma whispered, forcing herself to sit up despite the sharp pain radiating through her body. She wrapped an arm around each child, holding them close.Her gaze shifted to the far corner of the room, where a tall, imposing figure stood silently, Jeff, her ex-husband, what was he doing here? Why was h
Emma's POVThe air was thick, and suffocating, smoke billowed in twisting plumes, obscuring the bright afternoon sun. Emma stumbled through the chaos, her breaths shallow and ragged as acrid fumes filled her lungs.Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, a frantic drumbeat that matched the disharmonious sounds of screams and sirens echoing in the distance."Help!"A voice cried out, distant yet piercing, cutting through the chaos. Emma turned, her hands trembling, the voice seemed familiar, tugging at the edges of her memory, but the swirling haze made it impossible to see.The ground beneath her feet was uneven, littered with shards of glass, chunks of debris, and the scorched remains of what once were lives."Emma!"The voice called her name again and this time, it was sharper and more desperate.She squinted, her eyes burning from the smoke, through the haze, she could make out a figure, a man, his silhouette outlined by flickering flames, it was Jaxon."Jaxon."She screamed, her vo
Chapter 21Emma’s POVThe shrill beep of my alarm pierced through the silence, waking me up from a tangled web of uneasy dreams. My hand darted out to silence it, and my blurry eyes landed on the glowing red digits of the clock.7:45AM.A jolt of panic shot through me as I quickly sat up in bed, “Oh no, no, no,” I muttered, tossing the covers aside and springing, literally jumping out of bed.How had I overslept?Well I blame it on the fact that I hadn't returned to bed immediately when I came down to get water in the early hours of the morning. Jeff had kept me company and I had to say, he was not so annoying to be around, at least not anymore. I remember when we had just gotten married back then, I couldn't even look him in the eyes not to talk of being in the same room as him, I was that terrified of him. So I was a little bit awed and intrigued when he sat down with me earlier and we even had a conversation, truth was, I didn't want it to end but all good things must come to an
Emma's POVThe faint echo of footsteps grew louder, each sound like the ticking of a clock winding down.My grip on Jeff's arm tightened, my pulse a frantic drumbeat in my ears. Across from me, Mrs. Williams stood rigid, clutching the edge of the desk as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded."Stay behind me." Jeff whispered, his voice firm but soothing, a sharp contrast to the chaos in my head.Every creak and groan of the office seemed heightened, every shadow more scary.I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the darkened glass window, I was wide-eyed, trembling, vulnerable. This wasn’t me, I wasn’t supposed to be this helpless.The door creaked open, and I stopped breathing. A shadow stretched across the floor like a predator stalking its prey, my heart hammered against my ribcage as Jeff stepped forward, shielding me.“Who’s there?” Jeff demanded, his voice sharp, cutting through the tense silence.A figure stumbled into the room, and for a terrifying second, I was sure
Emma's POVIt had been a few days since Jeff and I had dinner together. The memory lingered in the back of my mind like the warmth of a fading sunset.We had shared something real that night, a moment where the walls between us had started to come down but reality had a way of creeping back in, and now I was back to my usual routine; juggling work, motherhood, and the complex feelings Jeff’s presence stirred in me.The front door opened, and the sound of small feet pattering on the hardwood floors brought me back to the present. Jason and Anna burst into the house, their laughter filling the air like music. I turned from the kitchen counter, my heart swelling as they raced toward me, their backpacks bouncing with every step.“Mama,” Anna exclaimed, flinging her tiny arms around my waist. Jason wasn’t far behind, squeezing in for a group hug.“Hey, my loves,” I said, kissing the tops of their heads, “How was daycare today?”“It was so fun,” Jason said, his eyes wide with excitement, “M
Chapter 25Emma’s POVThe next three days felt like stepping into a different world, one filled with laughter, love, and moments I hadn’t dared to dream of for a long time.Jeff had planned everything down to the tiniest detail, creating an adventure that was as magical for the twins, as it was healing for me.Our first stop was the Aspen Zoo, nestled in a scenic valley surrounded by snow covered mountains. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine, and the twins’ excitement was infectious as we passed through the entrance gates.“Look Mummy, it's a tiger.” Anna squealed, pointing toward the enclosure where a majestic Bengal tiger lay sprawled under a heat lamp, its amber eyes lazily surveying the crowd.Jason, ever the curious one, pressed his face against the glass of the reptile house, his breath fogging up the surface as he stared at a massive green anaconda, “Whoa, look at this snake. Daddy do you think it could eat a whole deer in one bite?”Jeff crouched beside him, h
Emma’s POVThe beach stretched endlessly before me, its beauty overshadowed by the hollow pit of fear tightening in my chest. Jason was still missing, and each passing moment without him felt like an eternity.The search party combed the sand, their voices calling his name. Jeff’s hand lingered on my arm, a quiet anchor to keep me steady, but even his strength was waning.Anna clung to my side, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt, her tear-streaked face buried against me. I brushed her hair with trembling fingers, whispering reassurances that felt more like prayers.“He’ll be okay,” I said softly, trying to convince myself as much as her.Jeff’s jaw was tight, his eyes scanning the horizon, “I should’ve watched him more closely.” He muttered, his voice low.“This isn’t your fault,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I truly believed it, “Right now, we just need to find him.”The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of gold and orange. The once-crowded beach had begun to clear, leav
Jeff’s POVI sat in my study long after Emma had gone to bed, staring at the dim glow of my desk lamp, my thoughts a tangled mess.Tonight had been a wake-up call.I had spent the past months trying to repair the damage I had done to my marriage, trying to prove to Emma that I had changed, that I was ready to be the husband and father I should have been from the start, but no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I was losing her.And now, Sam was back.I clenched my fists, the name alone igniting a slow burn of anger deep in my gut.I had spent years avoiding the reality of my mistakes, but I couldn’t avoid them anymore, Sam had been there when I had pushed Emma away.He had been there when she had needed someone. He had been there when I had been too caught up in my pride and resentment to be the man she deserved.And now, because of my failures, I was at risk of losing everything.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk, exhaling slowly. If I wanted to fix this, if I wanted t
Emma’s POVThe days after the gala had been a haze of emotions, a relentless tug-of-war between my past and my present.No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, Sam’s words clung to me like an old melody I couldn’t forget but I once had a life with Jeff, although it crumbled, we still had it.But Sam was right about one thing in the midst of my current confusion and that was that, he was the father of my children. No matter how much time had passed, that fact wouldn’t change.And that truth gnawed at me.I lay awake for nights, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what it would mean for Jason and Anna to meet him. Would they like him? Would they feel an instant connection, or would they shy away from him like he was a stranger? Because that’s exactly what he was to them, a stranger.Still, something in my heart whispered that I owed them this.So, before I could talk myself out of it, I picked up my phone and sent the text.Emma: I’ve been thinking, you should meet them.The respons
Chapter 40Emma’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the private lounge, my head felt like it was spinning, the weight of Sam’s words pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.He wanted another chance.A chance to be the father he had never been, the partner he should have been. His voice had trembled with regret, his eyes had pleaded for understanding, for forgiveness.And for the first time since he’d returned, I saw something in him that had been missing before, desperation.I swallowed hard, stepping back into the main ballroom. The dazzling chandeliers, the laughter, the clinking of champagne glasses, it all felt distant, muffled, as if I was watching everything through a thick fog.My eyes darted across the room, scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces, until they landed on one that was far too familiar.Jeff.He stood near the bar, his broad shoulders tense, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his suit trousers and his gaze was fixed on me, dark and unreadable.I knew he
Emma’s POVThe next day, walking back into the office felt like stepping into the lion’s den, my heels clicked against the polished floor as I tried to maintain some semblance of composure.The events of the previous day still swirled in my head, Jeff’s fury, Sam’s emotional pleas, and the suffocating tension that had turned my life upside down.But this was work, I needed to keep it together.As soon as I entered the open office space however, it became painfully clear that keeping it together was going to be nearly impossible. Whispers rippled through the room, and I could feel the weight of every single pair of eyes on me.I clutched my bag tightly, pretending not to notice the blatant stares and the hushed conversations.“Good morning Emma.” Rachel greeted, her tone far too cheerful, her eyes glinting with curiosity.“Morning,” I replied, brushing past her desk as quickly as possible, but she wasn’t about to let me go so easily.“Emma, wait.” She called out, rushing to catch up wi
Emma’s POVThe day began like any other, filled with the hum of keyboards and the soft murmur of coworkers exchanging pleasantries and my desk was its usual mess, a sea of sticky notes, contracts, and a half-empty coffee mug that I kept forgetting to refill.The normalcy of it all was a comfort, a break from the storm that had reentered my life just days ago.I was in the middle of reviewing a financial report when the intercom on my desk buzzed, I jumped slightly, startled out of my focus.“Emma, this is Mr. Carter, please come to my office.” His tone was clipped, and professional but laced with something else.Urgency, perhaps?I pressed the button to respond, “Of course sir. I’ll be there in a moment.”Hanging up, I quickly saved my work and grabbed a notepad, just in case he needed updates on the Newman deal. The possibility of something being wrong pressed at me as I walked briskly down the corridor, heels clicking against the polished floor.When I reached his office, I knocked
Sam’s POVEveryone thought I was just an ordinary personal assistant to Jeff Anderson, a diligent employee who faded into the background, always professional and eager to please.That’s how it was supposed to look but the truth was, I wasn’t just a PA. My job went far beyond booking meetings and running errands.I was a spy.When Matthew Newman adopted me, I thought my life was finally turning around.As a foster kid bouncing from home to home, I didn’t know what stability looked like until he arrived, he gave me a home, opportunities, and the kind of support I’d never had before.For a while, I believed I’d been saved but it didn’t take long for me to realize Matthew wasn’t looking for a son, he was looking for a weapon.Matthew Newman hated the Anderson family, they weren’t just rivals to him, they were his obsession. He blamed them for everything that had gone wrong in his life, from the collapse of his business to the death of his wife. His hatred was like a storm, and I was swept
Emma's POVReturning to work felt like stepping onto shaky ground. After everything that had happened, I was still on edge.My thoughts were muddled, and my body felt like it was running on autopilot. The events of the past few days had left me tense, scared, and more uncertain than ever.The break-in at the house, the threats, and the way Jeff had acted, it all felt too much, he’d promised to protect us, but something in his eyes told me there was more he wasn’t saying.And that unsettled me more than anything, I didn’t know who to turn to or what to believe.Jeff’s reassurances, once my source of comfort, now felt like empty words, weighed down by the secrets I knew he was hiding.Sitting at my desk, I tried to focus on the emails piling up in my inbox, the familiar click of my keyboard should have been grounding, but my hands shook as I typed.Every noise in the office made me flinch, a creak of a chair, the ringing of a phone, everything felt amplified, like a warning I couldn’t d
Jeff’s POVThe house had been heavy with unspoken tension since the argument between Emma and her parents.Every interaction with Emma had felt strained like we were speaking two different languages. She had every right to be upset, I hadn’t been on her side when she needed me most.That morning, as I straightened my tie in front of the mirror, the thought bothered me. The guilt was relentless, and it had soured everything, including the fragile connection I’d been trying to rebuild with Emma.She hadn’t even looked at me during breakfast, barely speaking beyond a curt “good morning.” I couldn’t stand this distance anymore.I ran a hand through my hair, muttering to myself, “You screwed up Jeff. Big time.”The kids’ laughter floated up from the kitchen, a stark contrast to the tension that lingered between Emma and me, I couldn’t fix the past, but maybe I could start fresh.I glanced at the clock, work would have to wait, and I had a quick stop to make first. Pulling on my jacket, I d
Emma's POVThe house felt emptier than usual.Mornings were always like this after Jeff and the twins left, eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the clock in the kitchen.I finished brushing my hair, then reached for my blazer, slipping it on and smoothing the fabric as I glanced at my reflection in the full-length mirror.My eyes lingered on my face, tracing the faint lines that stress had started to etch there. A few days had passed since the confrontation with my parents, but their words and Jeff’s disapproval still weighed heavily on me.I know Jeff and I had a conversation about what had gone down that night, but it still bothered me that he wasn't on my side, to begin with. He had chosen to defend my parents first and that didn't sit well with me at the slightest bit. With a sigh, I reached for my phone on the bedside table. As I unlocked it to check the time, the screen lit up with an incoming call from an unknown number.I hesitated, my