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
Emma’s POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of my new apartment, a modest two-bedroom in a quieter part of the city. It wasn’t what I envisioned when Jeff and I planned our life together, but it was mine now, and it was safe.Yet even surrounded by the soft hum of normalcy, my chest still ached with lingering fear. The memory of Jason’s frightened eyes, his trembling voice as he recounted his ordeal on the beach, refused to fade.The kids were adjusting, though not without resistance. Jason and Anna missed the sprawling space of Jeff’s house, the backyard where they played tag, and their his laughter echoing through the hallways.For them, this move was confusing and unfair, but I couldn’t explain the real reason we’d left.How could I tell them that staying with Jeff felt like keeping them attached to a storm? That every glance over my shoulder and every pounding in my chest reminded me how close I’d come to losing Jason?Jason sat cross-legged on the carpet, coloring
Emma’s POVThe air in my apartment was still and suffocating as I sat alone in the living room that night, trying to focus on the emails I’d left unanswered all day.The laptop’s faint glow illuminated my face, but my thoughts were miles away, swirling with everything Jeff had said.“And what about you? Are you safe Emma?”Those words replayed in my head like a broken record, and I hated how much they rattled me.Was I safe? Was this new life I’d carved out for the kids and me the answer? Or was I just running, dragging them along in a direction I wasn’t even sure of?I closed my laptop with a sigh and rubbed my temples, the kids were asleep in their room, their soft breaths audible if I strained to listen. They were the reason I was doing this, the reason I had to be strong, even when I didn’t feel it.The next morning, the questions still weighed on me as I arrived at work. My office, usually a place where I could bury myself in routine and distraction, felt like just another battle
Emma’s POVThe sharp, sterile smell of antiseptic filled my nose as I walked down the hallway of the hospital the next morning. The scent was a constant reminder of where I was and why.It wasn’t a place I wanted to become familiar with, but life had other plans. My hands were full, a bag of breakfast sandwiches and a tray holding two steaming coffees.Behind me, Jason and Anna followed, their little feet padding against the linoleum floor. Jason clutched his favorite stuffed dinosaur, his small hands gripping it tightly, while Anna held onto my free hand, her curiosity evident in her wide eyes.Jeff’s room was just ahead, the number etched in my mind. As we approached, I paused for a moment, glancing down at the kids.“Remember,” I said gently, crouching to their level, “Daddy needs us to be calm, okay? No jumping on him, even though I know you’re excited.”Anna nodded solemnly, her curls bouncing with the motion, while Jason looked down at his dinosaur, whispering something to it. S
Emma’s POVThe office was alive with its usual rhythm, a steady hum of activity that felt both comforting and ordinary.Phones rang incessantly, keyboards clattered as my coworkers typed furiously, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.At my desk, I flipped through a stack of reports, checking for errors. Everything seemed ordinary, just another Monday morning filled with the comforting predictability of work.“Emma.” Rachel’s voice floated over the cubicle wall.Her vibrant red curls peeked into view as she leaned over with her signature grin, “Please tell me you’ve seen the updated draft for the Peters campaign, it’s a disaster, isn’t it?”I chuckled, reaching for a manila folder on my desk, “It’s not a disaster, but it does need some serious tweaking, I made notes last night, we can go over them after lunch if you’re free.”“Ugh, bless you.” Rachel exclaimed dramatically.“If I have to explain to the creative team one more time why neon green is not the rig
Emma’s POVThe morning sun peeked through my curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow, it felt ironic, really, how peaceful the day seemed, given the storm brewing inside me.I hadn’t slept much after yesterday’s confrontation with my parents. Every time I closed my eyes, their faces haunted me, dragging old wounds to the surface.Jeff had texted me late last night, letting me know he’d arranged a meeting at the hotel where my parents were staying. A “neutral ground,” he called it, but the thought of sitting across from them again made my stomach churn.I was already nursing my second cup of coffee when Jeff walked into the kitchen. His hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d run his hand through it one too many times, he looked at me carefully, as though gauging my mood.“They’re staying at The Grand Regency.” He said, leaning against the counter.I froze mid-sip, staring at him in disbelief, “You put them in The Grand Regency? Are you serious?”He sighed, crossing his arms, “Y
Chapter 30Emma’s POVThe office was alive with its usual rhythm, a steady hum of activity that felt both comforting and ordinary.Phones rang incessantly, keyboards clattered as my coworkers typed furiously, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.At my desk, I flipped through a stack of reports, checking for errors. Everything seemed ordinary, just another Monday morning filled with the comforting predictability of work.“Emma.” Rachel’s voice floated over the cubicle wall.Her vibrant red curls peeked into view as she leaned over with her signature grin, “Please tell me you’ve seen the updated draft for the Peters campaign, it’s a disaster, isn’t it?”I chuckled, reaching for a manila folder on my desk, “It’s not a disaster, but it does need some serious tweaking, I made notes last night, we can go over them after lunch if you’re free.”“Ugh, bless you.” Rachel exclaimed dramatically.“If I have to explain to the creative team one more time why neon green is
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
Emma’s POVThe silence in the house after my parents left was deafening, I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me as I sat in the twins' room, holding Jason and Anna close.Their small hands gripped mine tightly, and their wide eyes were still filled with confusion. I tried to steady my breathing, to calm the storm raging inside me, but it was no use. My emotions threatened to spill over again.“Mommy,” Anna said softly, looking up at me with her big, tear-filled eyes, “Did we do something wrong?”Her words broke me.I pulled her onto my lap, hugging her tightly as tears streamed down my face, “Oh sweetie, no. No, you didn’t do anything wrong. None of this is your fault okay?”Jason moved closer, his little face scrunched up in worry, “Then why did Grandma yell at Anna? She’s supposed to be nice, isn’t she?”I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain something so complicated to two four-year-olds, “Sometimes grown-ups make mistakes,” I began carefully, “E