Emily's POVThe car ride was filled with an uncomfortable silence, and I wished that we would reach Ethan's house soon. I was grateful he had offered to bring me to the store, but I couldn't help but feel a little unsettled by the sudden change in his behavior. I wondered what had brought about the shift, and whether it would last. When we arrived at his house I was relieved. I carried the groceries inside, heading straight for the kitchen. I put the items away, avoiding any eye contact with Ethan. He was still silent, and I wasn't sure what to say to him. We both seemed to be avoiding any conversation, and the air was thick with tension. I couldn't help but feel anxious and uneasy.I was almost done putting the groceries away when I tripped on the rug and a few items fell to the floor. I scrambled to pick them up, but Ethan walked right past me without offering to help. I was taken aback by his lack of concern. Was he really that self-absorbed? I continued to put the groceries away,
Emily's POVMy frustration was growing by the second. I was already feeling stressed about work, and now he was adding to it with his demands. "I'll be leaving now." His tone was curt and demanding. "I want you to submit the PowerPoint I asked for, and I want you to be at work as early as possible." I wanted to snap back at him, but I bit my tongue. I didn't want to make the situation worse. I just wanted to get out of there and go to work."Okay, sir." I tried to sound as respectful as possible. I didn't want to make things worse by arguing with him. "Have a good day." He just grunted in response. I hurried upstairs, feeling a sense of relief as I closed the door to my bedroom. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. I poured some cold water on my face and neck, hoping it would help to calm my mind. I felt so stressed out after my interaction with Ethan. He was such a jerk, and I couldn't believe I had to deal with him every day at home and work. I took a few minutes to just br
Emily's POV"What about the girl you ran into?" I asked, wanting to know more about Sofia's condition."You mean Sofia?" I nodded. "Yeah, she's doing better. I went to visit her today, and I bought her some cupcakes," A smile was on his face. I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over me, knowing that Sofia was doing better. "That's so nice of you." I was impressed by his thoughtfulness. "You are a good guy," I added, my voice full of admiration."Don't flatter me." "I'm serious.""You mentioned you were busy." "Yeah, I am," I admitted. "Don't worry, I'll let you get back to work," he gave me a knowing smile. "Thanks, I appreciate it." He gave me a quick wave and then turned to leave. I watched him go, feeling grateful for his kindness and generosity.I took a bite of doughnuts, savoring the sweet, fluffy goodness. As I ate, I couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy inside, thinking about how kind and thoughtful Liam had been. He was such a sweetheart, always looking o
Emily's POVIt was lunchtime, and I was sitting at my desk, trying to regain my composure. Then, I heard the door open and saw Liam's smiling face in the doorway. But as soon as he saw my tear-streaked face, his smile disappeared. "What happened?" he asked, concern in his voice. I wanted to tell Liam everything, from how Williams had broken my heart to how I ended up in this position due to the proxy marriage. But I stopped myself, remembering Ethan's warning not to tell anyone about the arrangement. I felt torn between wanting to confide in Liam and wanting to obey Ethan's wishes. I didn't know what to do, and I just sat there, silent and unsure. Liam's concerned expression turned to confusion, and I knew I had to say something."My grandma is sick," I blurted out, not thinking about the consequences of my lie. I knew it was wrong to lie, but I didn't want to tell him the truth. I didn't want to look weak or vulnerable. As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. But then
Emily's POVI lay there for a few minutes, letting my thoughts consume me. But then my phone started ringing, jolting me out of my daze. I looked at the screen and saw that it was my mom calling. I took a deep breath and answered the call. "Hi, Mom," I said, my voice sounding flat and lifeless. I didn't want her to know how I was feeling."I haven't heard from you in a while," my mom said, her voice sounding concerned. "Is everything okay?" I felt a lump in my throat, and I struggled to answer her question. A surge of anger welled up inside me as I thought about how my mom had pushed me into the proxy marriage. I knew it was wrong, and I was mad at her for trying to control my life like that. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Everything's fine," I lied."And how's Ethan?" she asked, her voice sounding cheerful. I bit my lip, not sure how to answer her. I didn't want to lie to her again, but I also didn't want to tell her the truth.My anger towards my mom was still
Emily's POVI closed my eyes and thought about the past. I missed my dad, and I wished he was still here. I knew he would never have forced me into something like this, and I felt like I was letting him down by going along with it. I wished I could go back in time and change things, but I knew that was impossible. All I could do was try to make the best of the situation and hope that things would get better.I thought about my mom and how our relationship had changed over the years. We used to be so close, but after she married Olivia's dad, things started to shift. It was like she was trying to please him by putting his daughter first, and I felt like I was no longer a priority. I couldn't understand why she had changed so much, and I wondered if I would ever be able to repair our relationship.I went to take a shower, hoping the hot water would wash away my frustration. As I got dressed, I tried to push aside my anger and focus on what I had to do. I headed to the kitchen and began
Emily's POV"You owe me a date, remember?" :)I let out a little laugh, my heart racing at his words. He was so sweet, and I loved the way he always knew how to make me smile. I quickly typed my reply: "Yes, I remember. And I promise I'll make it up to you. I promise." I couldn't help but feel a little hopeful as I sent the message. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out between us."Can I come and pick you up? Can you make it tonight?" :)I felt my heart skip a beat at his words. I was over the moon, and I quickly replied: "Yes, of course! I'll be ready. Just let me know when you're on your way." :) I felt like I was floating on air, and I couldn't wait for the night to come.I was so excited that I decided to spend some time on the internet, watching makeup tutorials and trying to find the perfect look for our date. I wanted to look my best, and I was determined to put my best foot forward. I was going to make the most of this chance, and I was determined to impress him. I
Emily's POV"So, what would you like?" Liam asked, his warm smile melting my heart. I felt a flutter in my chest as I looked into his eyes. But I was still too preoccupied to make a decision. "I'm not sure yet, what about you?" "I'll have whatever you're having," he said, surprising me. I was not expecting him to say that. I couldn't help but feel a little bit flattered that he wanted to have the same thing as me. "Okay." I had a huge smile. "I'll have the grilled salmon with a side of asparagus," I said, picking one of the most popular dishes on the menu. "That sounds delicious."His eyes lit up. "Do you want to share a dessert?" he leaned forward in his chair. I felt a flutter in my stomach again, and I nodded. "That sounds great," I felt a little bit giddy.The waiter came to take our order, and we both placed our orders. He then asked if we wanted anything to drink, and we both ordered a glass of wine. As we waited for our food to arrive, we made small talk, talking about o
Ethan's POV I stepped out and saw Emily in the living room. "Is there a problem?" I asked, concern etched on my face. "I was hearing loud voices.”I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "An unexpected visitor?" I repeated, my voice gentle. I took a step closer to Emily, trying to get her to meet my gaze. "Everything okay?" I asked, my tone softening."There isn't," she said, her gaze drifting away from mine. Her voice was laced with a hint of tension, and I could sense that she was hiding something.I nodded, taking note of the subtle change in Emily's demeanor. "Olivia's back," she announced, her voice neutral. I couldn't help but think of my own unwanted visitor. But my attention was quickly refocused on Emily, and the hint of unease that lingered beneath her composed exterior.She cleared her throat nervously. "I was about to inform you... I will be leaving this morning." Those words made my heart drop."Just wait until after dinner, then," I said, trying to sound casual. But E
EMILY'S POV I rushed back, my footsteps silent on the stairs as I watched him walk away. His eyes sparkled with a love so true as he confirmed his love for Olivia. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I realized the painful truth: he was in love, and he had always been in love. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt my world crumbling around me. My box of emotions was overflowing, and I couldn't hold back the sorrow anymore.I was already packed, my bags stood silently in the shadows, a poignant reminder of the decision I'd made. Immediately after dinner, I would be leaving him forever. The thought was razor-sharp, cutting through my heart like a knife. I felt a chill run down my spine as I contemplated the finality of it all - the end of our relationship, the end of our life together.Tomorrow was a day of conflicting desires. A part of me yearned for its arrival, eager to escape the anguish that had become my reality. I longed to leave behind the shattered remain
Ethan's POVI found myself drawn to her room, compelled to gaze into her eyes. Their piercing beauty had a calming effect on my frazzled nerves. I stood there, mesmerized, unsure of what to say to her. Our time together was fleeting, and soon we'd be parting ways forever. In the precious moments I had left, I couldn't help but indulge in the beauty of her gorgeous eyes.I retreated to my bedroom, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of my bed. As I lay down, I stretched out my muscles, trying to release the tension that had been building up inside me. But despite my efforts to relax, my heart remained heavy with pain.My heart ached with the weight of inaction. I yearned to fight for what I desired, but the risk of vulnerability held me back. The fear of being shattered once more, of enduring an everlasting pain, kept my emotions in check. My mind screamed to take a stand, to seize what was mine, but the terror of heartbreak silenced my resolve, leaving me paralyzed and torn.The sh
EMILY'S POV Liam's eyes darted around the space, his gaze lingering on every corner as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows before finally settling on me to ask, "Did Ava speak harshly to you?” “No,” I replied, my voice firm so he couldn't see right through me, but unfortunately he did because I met a skeptical look on his face. “Emily,” he called, his voice gentle as always, "Are you hiding anything from me?" he added. His eyes locked on mine with an intense gaze. “I'm not.” I needed to be out of her. My body was here, but my mind and soul were with someone who cared least about me. I realized at that moment I was in love with Ethan. I had always known that, but what I just discovered was the connection between me and Liam-Lust. I didn't know how to put it. I didn't know how to tell him why I was giddy with excitement whenever he was around. It wasn't because I loved him; it was because I wanted to escape the sad reality of unrequited love. “Emily,” I snapped out o
Ethan's POVI watched from a distance as Liam's car pulled away from the curb, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in my chest. I had specifically warned Emily to keep our arrangement private, and yet, here she was, meeting with...him. I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing with possibilities. What were they discussing? And why did Emily feel the need to sneak around behind my back? I made a mental note to confront Liam about this later, my eyes never leaving the fading tail lights of his car.The anger simmered beneath my surface, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume me. I couldn't believe she would kiss me, pretend to have feelings for me, when all along she was still entangled with Liam. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt my jaw clenched in frustration. I wasn't used to feeling this way about anyone, especially not a woman. My usual detachment, my ability to remain aloof, had been breached, and it was a disconcerting feeling.I stood in front of the s
EMILY’S POVI felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Ethan, mixed with a strong dose of self-loathing for the desire I still felt for him. It was a toxic combination that left me feeling raw and exposed.I hated how my heart went crazy whenever Ethan was near. The skipping beats and nervous flutters were a dead giveaway to the feelings I was trying to suppress.I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice Liam standing there, and I ended up bumping into him.Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hey, looks like I've got Miss Clumsy back in the building."I attempted to muster a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. The pain and turmoil I'd been feeling lingered, making it impossible for me to feign happiness.Liam's eyes locked onto mine, and he could tell something was off. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft with concern."No, I'm good," I said, trying to downplay my emotions. But Liam wasn't buying it. He kept looking at me with that c
EMILY’S POVI opened my eyes to find the sun shining brightly through the window, its rays piercing my eyes.I rubbed my temples, trying to get rid of the annoying headache that had settled in.I stood up, stretching my arms and legs. I headed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed some water on my face. The cool water helped me relax.I looked in the mirror, and my eyes widened as I remembered what had happened last night. The memories came rushing back, and I felt a mix of emotions.A wave of panic washed over me as I struggled to recall the events of the previous night. "What did I do?" I whispered to myself, my mind racing with fragmented memories. I rubbed my temples again, trying to massage away the throbbing pain as more visions flashed through my mind.My fingers drifted to my lips, and I was instantly transported back to the moment when Ethan's lips had touched mine. The sensation still lingered, a gentle tingling that seemed to echo through every nerve ending.I
Ethan's POV The ceremony went off without any major hitches, although there were a few dramatic moments that kept things interesting.Tonight was different, however. As I watched Ava and Liam together, I was surprised to find that the familiar pangs of sadness and disappointment were noticeably absent.I felt a deep sense of gratitude that the bitter emotions I had long harbored had finally begun to dissipate.Emily and I headed to the nightclub for a meeting with Don Sacrum, a prominent investor. Unconventional as it may seem, Don consistently preferred conducting business in such settings. His reputation preceded him, and I made it a point to be available at his beck and call, regardless of the hour.As the son of a renowned billionaire, Don Sacrum had inherited a vast fortune following his father's passing a few months prior.I glanced over at Emily, noticing a look of discomfort on her face. Seeking to alleviate her unease, I gently took her small hand in mine, offering a reassur
Emily's POV Ava's smile was a thin, cruel line. "Don't play dumb," she sneered. "I know all about the way Ethan looks at you now. The way he hangs on your every word."Ava's words hung in the air, her implication clear. I felt a surge of indignation, but I kept my tone level. "I don't know what you're insinuating, Ava," I said, "but I assure you, nothing is going on between Ethan and me."Ava's smile was a cold, calculated thing. "Even if there is something between you and Ethan," she said, her voice dripping with malice, "I promise you, it's coming to an end soon."Ava's gaze flicked to my ears, her eyes narrowing as she gestured to the earrings. "Those belong to me," she stated, her tone cold and possessive.I turned to Ava, my gaze locking onto hers. "What belongs to you?" I asked, my voice even and measured."Those earrings," she replied, her voice firm, her eyes never leaving mine."I think you must be mistaken," I said, my tone polite but firm. "Those earrings couldn't possibly