Emily collapsed onto her bed, her body and mind completely drained from the events of the night. The confrontation with her family, Lucas’s unexpected protectiveness, and the lingering whispers from the dinner party all swirled in her thoughts. She tried to process it all, but exhaustion claimed her, pulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep.While Emily rested, Lucas stood outside on his balcony, staring into the night sky, a wine glass loosely gripped in his hand. Sleep, as usual, was far from him. His mind wouldn’t let him rest, especially not tonight.Thoughts of Emily kept surfacing, no matter how hard he tried to push them away. The way she had handled her father and stepmother, the cold confidence she had shown, and the vulnerability she only allowed him to see. He was beginning to realize there was so much more to her than he initially thought. But that realization came with a dangerous thought which was the clause in their contract. ‘No emotional attachment.’He had written t
The morning chaos of the media frenzy still lingered in Emily's mind as she sat alone in the living room, the quiet unsettling after the storm of the headlines. The newspapers lay scattered across the coffee table, their relentless questions and theories swirling around her. ‘The stray daughter becomes a billionaire’s wife.’That line had been burned into her thoughts ever since she read it. The media had pieced together her connection to Joel Vincent. Every painful detail of her past, from the fallout with her father to now being tied to Lucas, was out there for the world to scrutinize. Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages and calls, some from people she had not heard from in years, others from strangers. Everyone suddenly wanted to know her side of the story, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer any of them.She had tried to focus on anything but the media circus, but her mind kept circling back to one thought and that was her mother. The one person who had always been h
Meanwhile, at Lucas’s office, he was occupied with work activities and also working on the media uproar.A few minutes later, Lucas stared at his phone, his chest tightening as Dr. Maxwell’s words echoed in his mind. Emily’s mother was gone. The news had hit him like a blow, one he hadn’t been prepared for. He had been expecting an update about the surgery, some hopeful progress, but instead, he was left with the weight of the devastating truth. "She passed away this afternoon, Mr. Cole," Dr. Maxwell had said, his tone solemn. "I tried reaching out to Emily, but I thought you should know first, given the situation."“She couldn't fight further… The surgery had a very slight chance of survival given her condition.”Lucas rubbed a hand over his face, standing by the large windows in his office. His mind raced, thoughts of Emily consuming him. How was he going to tell her? She had already been through so much, and now this?He didn't know how to break it to her, or worse, how to comfort
She breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. Her mother’s death had taken a huge toll on her. Emily's mind reeled as she thought about the contract. What would happen now? Would Lucas still want to marry her? Did she still want to marry him?As she stared back at Lucas, memories flooded her mind. Her mother's laughter, her smile, their countless conversations. Emily's eyes welled up with tears.Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Lucas stood in front of her, his eyes filled with compassion."It’s okay to cry, Emily. Let it all out.” He coaxedEmily nodded, her voice caught in her throat. Lucas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close."You don't have to be strong all the time, Emily," he whispered. “I’ll be here for you."In that moment, Emily felt a sense of surrender. She allowed herself to lean into Lucas, to let go of her grief, even if it was only for a moment.Her entire body shook with uncontrollable sobs, losing her mother felt like losing a part of hers
Emily breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. The shock of believing her mother was dead had taken an immense toll on her, but now the revelation that it had all been a mistake was almost too much to process. Lily was alive and recovering in India after a mix-up with her medical records. It felt like a surreal dream, like she was on an emotional rollercoaster that wouldn’t stop.She had been preparing for the worst, mourning her mother’s death in her heart, only to have the ground shift beneath her with the news that Lily was still fighting, still holding on. Relief and disbelief washed over her in alternating waves, but beneath that, a creeping dread lingered.Lucas had been there for her through it all. His presence had been steady, his support unwavering, and now, as the weight of the news settled, she found herself relying on him more than she ever expected. She felt closer to him than ever, but her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.Sitting down in front of the dressing mirror,
Emily tries to focus on her mother's recovery and upcoming return to Canada. However, she can't shake off the feeling of unease since Lucas's departure. She starts receiving updates from Lucas, but they're brief and lack the emotional intimacy they shared before his trip.Emily's phone buzzed as she stepped out, heading to the garden for some fresh air. She hesitated, wondering if she should answer, but the name on the screen caught her attention."Hey, Kayla. What's up?" Emily asked, trying to sound cheerful despite her lingering worries about Lucas's trip."Hey, girl! I was invited for a charity gala. I thought you might want to attend," Kayla said, her voice bubbly in an attempt to take Emily out of her depressed state.Emily hesitated, unsure if she was in the mood for a fancy event, but Kayla's enthusiasm was contagious.As she contemplated, deciding that it was better to go out than remain cooped up in this mansion all by herself. “I’ll go with you,” she said to Kayla.“Great!!
Emily felt a sense of anticipation as she watched Julian from across the room. Kayla’s words lingered in her mind, warning her to be cautious, but Julian’s warmth and charm had drawn her in like a magnet. She was intrigued, maybe a bit too intrigued, by this enigmatic man who, apparently, was as powerful as Lucas. As the gala continued, Emily found herself mingling with various guests, though her gaze occasionally drifted back to Julian. She didn’t want to admit it, but something about him was both thrilling and unsettling. Her unease grew when she noticed how easily he navigated the room, conversing with influential people as if he owned the place.Just as she was about to step away for some air, she felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder. She turned, and there was Julian, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief."Care for a dance, Emily?” His voice was low and inviting, and she felt her pulse quicken.She hesitated. “I’m not much of a dancer…”“Nonsense.” Julian’s smile was rea
Earlier whilst Lucas left for the business trip which demanded urgency.He stepped off his private jet and onto the tarmac, the cool evening air a welcome respite from the stifling tension that had been building inside him. He had been called to the branch office in Chicago, where stock prices were plummeting rapidly and investors were panicking.As he made his way to the waiting car, his phone buzzed with an urgent message from his CFO."Sir, we've got a disaster on our hands," the message read. "Stock prices have dropped 20% in the past hour. We urgently need your presence, the investors are refusing to listen to anyone.Lucas's jaw clenched. This was exactly what he didn't need – another crisis to manage on top of his complicated relationship with Emily.The car sped through the city streets, Lucas's mind racing with strategies to salvage the situation and fast. He had always known the Chicago office was struggling, but he hadn't realized it was this bad. Upon arrival, Lucas was g
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Lucas's mansion, casting a warm glow over the opulent decor. Emily stirred in her bed, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness as she prepared for her first day back at fashion school. She had agreed to have bodyguards accompany her to and from school, a precaution that Lucas had insisted on after the recent threats from Lara.Meanwhile, Lucas was already up and getting ready for work. He had insisted on driving Emily to school himself, despite her protests that she could take a car service or have one of the bodyguards drive her. He wanted to make sure she was safe, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been building up inside him even after Lara's arrest.As Emily came downstairs, Lucas was waiting for her in the foyer, looking handsome and imposing in his tailored suit. He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Emily felt her heart skip a beat."Ready to go?" he asked, gesturing with his h
Lucas sat behind his massive oak desk, his attention fixed on the stack of reports Leo had compiled about Lara’s suspicious activities. Each piece of evidence pointed closer to her involvement, but nothing was solid enough to confront the authorities. It frustrated him to no end. The intercom on his desk buzzed. “Mr. Cole,” his assistant’s voice came through, hesitant. “Mrs. Lara Jones is here to see you.” Lucas’s jaw tightened. “Send her in.” The doors to his office swung open, and in walked Lara, her every step calculated, her red dress clinging to her figure like a second skin. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who believed she still had power over him. “Lucas,” she purred, her voice dripping with faux innocence as she closed the door behind her. “You look as handsome as ever.” He didn’t rise to greet her. Instead, his piercing gaze stayed locked on her, cold and unyielding. “What do you want, Lara?” She moved closer, leaning on the edge of his desk, he
The tension in the air was palpable as Lucas sat at the head of the dining table that evening, his mind preoccupied with Leo's revelation about Lara. He had always known she was manipulative, but if she was involved in Emily's poisoning, she had crossed a line he could never forgive. Emily sat opposite him, her delicate fingers tracing patterns on the edge of her glass. She could sense Lucas’s distraction, his usual warmth replaced by a cold, distant aura. Though she wanted to ask what was bothering him, she hesitated. He had always been guarded about certain aspects of his life, and tonight seemed no different. “Lucas,” she finally said, her voice soft but steady. “Are you okay? You’ve been quiet all evening.” His gaze snapped to hers, softening immediately. “I’m fine, Emily,” he said, though his voice lacked conviction. “Just work.” Emily frowned but didn’t press further. She knew Lucas well enough to understand when he didn’t want to talk. Still, the growing wall between th
At a luxurious mansion in the heart of the city, Lara Smith, a stunning young woman with long, curly brown hair and piercing green eyes, sat on a plush velvet couch, staring intently at a photo in her hand. Her flawless olive skin seemed to glow in the soft light of the room, and her full lips were pursed in a mixture of anger and jealousy. She was dressed in an elegant white gown that accentuated her slender figure, and her delicate fingers were adorned with sparkling diamonds.As she gazed at the photo, her eyes narrowed, and a glint of resentment flashed in their depths. The woman in the photo was Emily, and Lara couldn't help but feel inferior to her breathtaking beauty. Emily's skin was radiant with a subtle sheen that seemed almost otherworldly. Her face was a perfect oval, with high cheekbones and a small, pointed button nose. Her eyes were a deep, shining black, fringed with thick lashes that seemed to sparkle with innocence.Lara's gaze lingered on Emily's face, and she fe
As the days passed, Emily settled into a comfortable routine at the mansion, somewhere she now comfortably called home. She spent her mornings resting and reading, while Lucas worked from home or attended to his business obligations. Janet Ma continued to spoil her with delicious meals, saying she was too thin and needed to eat more to look stronger.Grandma Margaret on the other hand visited regularly, sharing stories and laughter. Their relationship was growing stronger each day and Emily found herself getting attached to Lucas’s grandmother’s company that she worried what would happen if she and Lucas were no longer together.Despite the warmth and comfort of her surroundings, Emily couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty about her future. She knew that her contract with Lucas was temporary, it was already coming to an end and the thought of leaving him and his family was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.She would watch Lucas smile at her each day, his gaze soft, his
The days after Emily’s release from the ICU passed in a delicate balance of healing and avoidance. Lucas rarely left her side, taking his laptop and work calls in her hospital room while she rested. He ensured her meals were delivered on time, adjusted her pillows when she seemed uncomfortable, and held her hand whenever her gaze seemed distant. But between the shared silences and fleeting smiles, there was a weight neither dared to fully address—the contract, and the looming end of their arrangement. One evening, as the hospital lights dimmed and the quiet hum of machines filled the room, Emily broke the silence. "Lucas," she said softly, her voice tinged with hesitation. He looked up from his laptop, setting it aside immediately. "What is it?" She took a deep breath, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the blanket. "I’ve been thinking... about what happens after I leave here." Lucas’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but he kept his expression neutral. "You’ll go home,
CHAPTER 47 The phone call he had received earlier echoed in his thoughts: “Lucas Cole, you’ll never win.”The voice had been distorted, impossible to trace, but the words clung to him like a shadow. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. This wasn’t the time to let his mind spiral. Emily needed him, and he had a business to run. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the call lingered. Was it connected to Lara? To Jane? To someone else entirely? He shook his head and exhaled sharply. He couldn’t let this phone call consume him. Emily needed him now, and so did his business. With Jane in custody and Leo hunting Lara down, there was no room for distractions. He slipped his phone into his pocket, forcing his mind back to the present. For the next few hours, Lucas busied himself with work. He made calls to ensure his companies were running smoothly despite his absence. But even while immersed in reports and meetings, his mind kept wandering back to Emily. Finally, the wait was
Lucas's eyes locked onto the apartment complex, his mind racing with determination. He was going to find Jane Thompson, the fake nurse, and get to the bottom of this.He quickly made his way to the complex, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he arrived at the door, he could feel his adrenaline surging.He turned the door knob but obviously it was locked from the inside. He knocked on the door, his voice firm. "Jane Thompson, I know you're in there. Open up."There was no response. Lucas's eyes narrowed. He knew she was in there.Suddenly, he heard the sound of footsteps, followed by the slamming of a door. Lucas's heart sank. She was escaping. He kicked the door with his foot sending it sprawling to the ground, hastily making his way into the apartment but as expected, Jane was nowhere to be found.He quickly ran around to the back of the building, but by the time he got there, Jane was far gone.Leo’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from Lucas. "Jane has escaped, I think she
Lucas's eyes never left Emily's pale face as he waited for her to stir again. The hospital room was quiet, the only sound was the steady beeping of the machines monitoring Emily's vitals.As the hours ticked by, Lucas's anxiety grew. He couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out, that Emily's life was slipping away from him.Just as he was starting to lose hope, Emily's eyelids fluttered open. Lucas's heart leapt with joy as he leaned forward, taking her hand in his."Emily?" he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "Can you hear me?"Emily's gaze was unfocused, but she nodded slightly, her lips parting in a faint smile.Lucas's eyes welled up with tears as he squeezed her hand. "I'm here, Emily," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."As Emily's eyes drifted shut again, Lucas felt a sense of relief wash over him. She was going to be okay. She had to be.But as he sat back in his chair, his mind began to wander. Who had done this to Emily? And why?He knew that he ha