CHAPTER THREE

“Ryan! What the hell are you doing?” Emily screamed, taking a step back.

Ryan jumped off the bed, sweat glistening off his skin as he stared at her. The lady in bed with him covered her face.

“What are you doing here? I told you to inform me whenever you are coming over to my place,” Ryan said, breathing hard.

“Is that what you are concerned about, and who is the whore you are with?” She walked up to the bed and ripped the blanket off, and her eyes widened in shock. “Kayla…”

Ryan ran his hand through his hair. The fact he was avoiding her gaze made it harder to deny what she was witnessing.

“I wanted to tell you, Emily,” he said

“How long has this been going on?” Emily asked.

“We have been dating close to a year.” Ryan said.

“Is a joke right?” She let out a humorless laugh. "I mean, none of this is real."

 “You weren’t meant to be here.” Kayla said. Drawing herself up to full height and thrusting her chin.

“You have always been full of shit,” she said glaring at Kayla.

“You are overreacting, Emily. There is no need to call Kayla names.”

“I don’t think I overreacted after seeing my boyfriend frolicking with my sister.” Emily’s eyes widened in disbelief.

 “It wasn’t the way you imagined. It was supposed to be a one-night thing one year ago, and we decided to be friends. But we couldn’t keep our hands off each other” Ryan smiled at Kayla.

Emily couldn’t believe she ever thought Ryan to be a considerate man. “How could you do this to me? And you expect me to be happy you resisted a little,” she said, clutching her chest.

“We didn’t have time for each other. Our relationship was literally dead, Emily.”

She smacked his face. Kayla retaliated and grabbed Emily’s hair. They began screaming at each other.

Ryan stepped between Emily and Kayla, separating them. Grabbing Emily by her arm, he led her out of his apartment.

“what are you doing?” Emily struggled with his grip on her arm.

“You need to leave. "

“You are choosing her over me,” Emily said, clenching her fist.

“I don’t think this relationship between us is working. let break up,”

“Don’t do this, not now that I need you more than ever,” she held his hands and pleaded. “My life is in danger …I lost my wallet,” she rambled.

 He went into the room, got his wallet, and handed her some money.

“This should be enough to get you home. And don’t show up here ever again.” Shutting the door on her face.

She leaned against the door and broke down, sobbing.

***

Even if she doesn’t know who to trust in her family. There was no denying it. This was her home. Emily thought as she approached her house. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the gate and punched in the code. But the gate didn’t open. 

“I think something is wrong with the code.” Emily said, using the intercom.

There was no answer.

“Is anyone there?”

She saw both her mother and father approaching the gate with a maid.

“Oh, I think something is wrong with the gate_” Emily let out a sigh of relief

“Where have you been? And don’t think of lying to me. I know you didn’t sleep here for the past few days.” Emily's father scolded her.

“Dad, I don’t want to do this right now. Please let me in. I have been in the hospital for days. "

“Is that what you are going with?” her mother asked.

“I was kidnapped and shot at. And you didn’t bat an eye that I was missing.” Emily screamed.

“Mind your tone, young lady. Just because your late grandfather gave you his shares to the company doesn’t mean you won’t give us our respect.”

“Please, just let me in.” Emily pleaded.

“I won’t house a promiscuous daughter under my roof.” Emily’s father said sternly.

“What! you don’t believe me. Just like you did when I told you it was Kayla driving that night.”

“Don‘t bring your sister into this." Emily’s mother signaled the maid to bring Emily luggage.

“What are you doing with my luggage?” Emily's lips trembled.

“Since you want your freedom so badly. We will give you your freedom and you can do whatever you want.” Emily’s mother smiled

“What! I don’t have anywhere to go, please.” Emily's eyebrows furrowed.

. 

But her mother and father turned their back on her, ignoring her plea. She stood at the gate until it was dark, hoping her parents would change their mind.

Having nowhere else to go or who to trust. She dug her hand into her pocket and stared at the business card Logan gave her.

“You are my last hope,” she mused.