It took every bit of her self-control to maintain her composure. Grace’s wedding. That was not good news.“That sucks,” she said, taking another sip of her drink.“It’s pretty bad,” Sabrina agreed. “It’s not even the worst part. If he hadn’t been hoarding Alex so much I would feel sorry for the guy.”“Why?”“Turns out this ex-girlfriend must be a sadistic bitch. She invited him to the wedding.”“Holy shit,” Emma gasped. How terrible. Will must be really hurting. But just as the thought came to her mind, she dismissed. Why should she care about how he felt? He showed more than once that he didn’t care about her feelings at all. “Let’s change the subject. I don’t want to let these assholes ruin my night anymore than they already have.”“You’re right,” Emma nodded. “But I’ve definitely got nothing to talk about. My life is a whole mess.” She released a heavy breath. At the center of the mess was William Stewart. He seemed to be the center of everything.“Psssh,” Sabrina popped Emma on t
“I am no one’s substitute! I am my own person!” “You should be happy to be Grace’s substitute. But don’t flatter yourself. If I wasn’t drunk, I’d never mistake you for her,” Will sneered. That was a lie. He called her Grace the night they met. And he wasn’t drunk then. Emma regretted her earlier decision. Why did she come to check on him at all? He was a despicable, callous, self-centered jackass. Why did she care for him at all? “There isn’t any comparison between the two of you anyway. You could never be her.” “You really don’t get. Not at all,” Emma said with a sad smile. Will raised his eyebrows in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” “The difference between us. I would never laugh at someone who was in pain. I would never ridicule or belittle someone who was hurting just to mask my own hurt.” A resolute calm washed over Emma. Her epiphany set things into perspective. “What—” “I pity you, Will. I really do.” He was shocked by Emma’s audacity. “You pity me? I
Jason wrapped all of the dresses, but Emma insisted to wear the enchanting lavender dress she originally loved. But now it was nothing compared to the decadent white one. After her hair and makeup was finished, her and Will set off for the wedding. Will was dressed in an immaculate dark grey suit. Emma cursed at herself for drooling a little when she saw him. He may be an egotistical asshole, but he was still the sexiest man she had ever seen. In and out of clothes. They arrived at the wedding venue. It was called The Bella Fontana and it was well known as one of the most gorgeous places in the city. The outside alone was grand and imposing. A large sign read, “Congratulations Denis and Grace. #HappilyEverAdams” in elegant script. Emma’s arm was looped around Will, and she felt him tense as they walked in. The inside of the venue was more glorious than she could imagine. The room glowed in a hazy, amber light and was highlighted by touches of golden amber uplighting. Towering flor
Emma became more upset. Tears stung her eyes but she refused to cry. She would not give these people the satisfaction. She did her best to hold back and took a few breaths. As she opened her mouth to speak, Grace stepped forward. “Lucy, stop that. That isn’t nice of you at all,” she admonished. “Please forgive my friend. She didn’t mean it. She was just puzzled that’s all. People tend to get confused when a polished stone is trying to be presented as a diamond,” her tone was sweet, but Emma had been around enough people to know that Grace was being vicious. It was clear Grace thought that Will was way out of Emma’s league, and it was bothering her to see them together. Which was surprising. Grace is the one who left Will, so why would she act jealous? “I can understand that. It can also be confusing when diamonds try to compete with stones. You know? Like why would they try that?” Emma retorted. “Oh wow,” Grace forced a laugh. “Will, your date is so funny. I must say it
Grace was not expecting his reaction. This was not the same Will she knew three years ago. She had that Will looped around her finger. She didn’t know this Will. Lucy looked down and mumbled a half-hearted apology.“What was that?” Will asked. “We didn’t hear you.”Lucy looked up at Emma. Her eyes were daggers, but she knew she had lost this battle.“I am sorry,” she said through clenched teeth. Emma let out a breath.Will was about to say something else, but Emma put a hand up to stop him. “I don’t need her apology. She’s not that important,” Emma said looking right at Lucy. “It seems that even all the money in the world can’t buy manners,” she snapped, and then marched out of the reception. She could feel Will following her. “I’ve done my part. More than my part. Can I go now?” Emma asked. “You’re not going to thank me? I just stood up to a room full of the city’s elite for you.” “Thank you, I do appreciate that, but I didn’t ask you to do that. And I would never
Emma looked him up and down, wondering how this stranger was. He was about as tall as Will, but leaner. He had shoulder length dark hair that was tied in a low ponytail, and bright hazel eyes. She’d gotten so used to seeing men dressed in sharp suits, that she found it refreshing to see someone in normal clothes. *He’s cute,* Emma thought. “Yes, I am. How do you know me?” “I saw your design work on the competition site. I loved it and wanted to meet who the talent behind it was.” “Oh, wow. Thank you,” Emma blushed. “Sorry, for not properly introducing myself, my name is Spencer.” Emma’s brain stopped working. “Spencer? Spencer Lucas?” “Guilty,” he smiled. She almost dropped her blueprints in shock. The brilliant designer she was admiring had just told her that he liked her work. It was the greatest day of life. “May I escort you inside?” “Yes!” Emma shouted in her excitement. “I’m sorry, that was loud. I never thought I would meet you, let alo
Emma and Sabrina flew out of the chairs, squealing and jumping for joy. “Oh. My. GOD!” Sabrina screamed. “You got it! I knew you would get it! You're the best, girl!” Sabrina looked excited and proud. Emma felt so touched. She was so happy to have Sabrina by her side to share the great news with her. They hugged and screamed and Emma cried tears of joy. “I can’t believe it,” Emma cried and laughed at the same time. She never thought she could get accpeted into the final. She thought she would just give it a try and she'd be prepared to be rejected. But that's just... too good for her. “Believe it, boo!” Sabrina embraced her. The people at the bar were looking at them, and wondered what the commotion was about. “Drinks on me, everyone! Let’s celebrate my best friend tonight!” The patrons cheered and clapped for Emma. She’d never been this happy in her life. Sabrina was true to her word and bought drinks for everyone in the VIP. People came by them and congratulated
“I’m sorry. I’m going to do what next month?” Emma’s mouth fell open. “We’re getting married,” he said. His tone was so even, and collected that Emma was frightened by it. “I won’t say it again.” “You’re serious,” she breathed and led herself to a chair. Her legs went dead from shock. “I am.” “Why?” Will was indifferent to her shock. “You don’t need to know why. You need to make a choice. Do this, and I’ll end our former agreement. Right away.” “What?” Emma leaned forward, her eyes like saucers. “I won’t be your ‘pet’? Your ‘thing’ anymore?” “That stops the second you agree. And I will also do you one favor. Anything you want. That’s outside of caring for your father. I already promised I would do that. This is a marriage of convenience. I’ll pay you the previously agreed upon amount after twelve months.” “A year? This is a lot to process.” “You have an hour to decide,” Will was impatient. He stood and began to walk out of the room. “
Six months later “Stewart Industries Landmark building construction was completed today. The twenty-story building boasts retail, commercial, and event space. The impressive building has already become a hallmark of the city with a silver tower as its crown. Glass windows glisten in the sun. And anyone in the city can enjoy the gorgeous public park that surrounds it. It is a gorgeous and shining collaboration of the best and freshest minds in the city. William Stewart has named the structure, ‘The Conrad Tower,’ in honor of his beloved late grandfather. The city awaits now for the building to open and for all the new opportunities it will create. This has been Susanne Winters for Channel 16 news.” They all cheered and toasted the completion of the building, gathered around Will and Emma’s living room. “Here’s to The Conrad Tower!” Will raised his glass. “And to all the people that helped make it possible! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you all. Thank you.” They raised
The high from the success of the show had worn off, and Will felt himself spiraling. His pulse quickened; a sheen of cold sweat sprouted on his forehead. He held it together the best he could while around others. But alone, with nothing but his memories to accompany him… it was always the worst.As he arrived home and prepared himself for another lonely night, he was greeted by something unexpected. A large truck was parked in front of his home. Men moved in and out of it, bringing things inside.“…The fuck?” he muttered as he parked his car. “Excuse me,” he called out to them. “This is my home. What are you doing here?”“I hired them,” a voice said from the doorway of the house. He looked over towards the familiar voice, not daring to believe it. But there she was, bathed in the light from inside the house. “Hi, Will. I’m sorry if I startled you, but I w
Their days were filled with appointments. Every time they turned around, there was somewhere to be. Will had been discharged and had the company to take care of. With the building finally underway, Stewart Industries was thriving again. It was a rare moment that he got time to himself. And even when he did, everyone else was busy with their own hectic lives. Will floated around his giant, empty home. He went to work, came home, did his physical therapy exercises, and went to sleep. Alone. He found, in recent days, that alone was not a good place for him to be. Nightmares plagued his sleep, and he jumped at the slightest noises. Monsters had moved from under the bed and in the shadows to inside his mind.He hated it.Emma hadn’t been able to make good on her promise to move back. Things were hectic, and no one had time for anyone anymore. It had been almost two weeks before he saw anyone. They all called and messaged each other, but it wasn&rs
Will’s recovery was slow. The doctors had informed him that taking that bullet as such close range did a lot of damage, but it was the reason he wasn’t dead as nothing major was hit. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and would need a good round of physical therapy. The medical staff agreed that he needed to stay in the hospital for at least a week so they could monitor him. Emma and Alex fussed over him, making sure he listened and did everything according to the doctor’s orders.On the fourth day, he was restless and just wanted to leave. Alex was in the room with him, telling him off for not listening.“You’re being a brat,” Alex scolded him.“I just want to get out of this bed,” Will whined.“Try getting out again, and I’ll break both your legs.”“How very Mafia of you,” Will smirked.“Shut up,” Alex swatted at
Chaos exploded around them. Shouts and screams filled the air as Captain Whitlock ordered that Ghost be apprehended and an ambulance be called. Ghost dropped his gun and raised his hand in surrender as his fantasy came to life right before his eyes.“Beautiful!” he said over the din. “It’s more beautiful than I could ever imagine.”“Shut up,” Captain Whitlock spat as he wrenched Ghost’s hands behind his back. “You’re going to go away for a very long time. They may even make a case for the death penalty against you.”“I hope they do,” he said with a contented sigh. “I’ve done all I have ever wanted to do.”“Take this vile piece of shit. And read him his rights. This arrest needs to be perfect. I swear if this fucker gets out on a technicality, I’ll fire the lot of you!”An officer took Ghost a
Will turned around and the world moved in slow motion around him. About ten feet away from them, there he stood. Ghost. Denis. The man responsible for all the pitfalls in his life stood ten feet away from them, the sunlight glinting off the barrel of an ornate silver gun. How could he have been so careless?“Surprise,” Ghost sang.“How…” Will began to ask.“How did I get so close?” Ghost finished. “Without anyone noticing. Hmm…” he used the gun to scratch his temple for a moment and then pointed it back at them. “I’m the monster in the dark. The one under your bed. The one your parents warn you about. Oh wait… your parents wouldn’t warn you about anything. They’ve been trying to sacrifice you to the darkness for years,” he said with feigned contrition.“What do you want?” Will asked. His eyes darted around, looking for
They really thought they were smart, huh? They thought he would fall for their little traps. However, he couldn’t deny that they had presented him with the perfect opportunity. Will was serving himself on a silver platter. It would be so easy to just take care of him then. His ultimate fantasy could play out the way he’d always dreamt of. The very public murder of William Stewart was just something he couldn’t pass up.What reason was there even to hide anymore? They had revealed his identity. Everyone knew who he was. So, what purpose did the shadows serve him anymore? Perhaps it was time to come out into the light and end this charade. His last card against Will had been used up. He’d run out of games.“Let’s play,” he chuckled, loading his gun. “No plans. No backups. This is it.” His heart raced with elation as he envisioned a bullet ripping through Will. Hearing his loved ones cry as his body crump
The interview was a smash. The city was on high alert, and Ghost’s name was on everyone lips. The few times Sabrina went out, it’s all she could hear anyone talk about. She couldn’t help but feel a little proud. Captain Whitlock received dozens of calls and tips. Many people said how they knew Denis, and how there was no way he could be Ghost.Others said that they’re surprised they never saw the signs. Some offered clues and places that Denis used to frequent. He traipsed the city, following these clues. Most led to nothing. Just traces of an old that Ghost himself probably wouldn’t recognize. But there was one call…“Um… hi. Is this Captain Whitlock?” It was hesitant man’s voice.“Yes, how can I help you?”“I’m calling about Denis Ratcliffe.”Captain Whitlock received so many of these calls he was numb to them.
Will let the water wash over him as he tried to steady his frenzied heartbeat. The truth was that they were terrified. For Ghost to be so brazen as to just waltz into the police station and open fire did not bode well for any one of them. It was clear that Ghost was just as ready to end this as they were. He leaned his forehead against the cold tile, letting the rhythmic beating of the water of against his back soothe him.Soon enough, a shower wouldn’t be such an event. At least not the ones he took alone, anyway. Steam rolled off of skin as he emerged from the shower. Emma had laid out some clothes for him. Just a white t-shirt a pair of gray sweatpants. He laughed. Now that he was free and clean, he wanted to hold his baby.He went downstairs, back to the dining room where everyone was gathered.“Where is Lizzie?” he asked.“Right here,” Emma said. She stood behind him, holding a