Second bonus chapter :)
An involuntary moan escaped Emmeline's lips the second they united with Zavian's in a passionate kiss. It was low, but surely everyone heard the telltale sound, perhaps dismissing it as just a normal sniffle not worth complaining about.Zavian caught her lower lip between his and sucked it once with a sigh of exertion, quickly returning to capture her upper lip as if he wanted to sip her mouth mouthful by delicious mouthful before deepening the kiss further.Emmeline was confused about where to put her hands, needing to grab onto something. In the end, she folded her arms around his shoulders and tilted her head, her lips moving in harmony with his.Zavian was the one in control. Under the water, his hands openly danced up and down her waist while his hot breath scorched her flesh.A stillness had fallen over the place, broken only by the sounds of their muffled groaning.Zavian’s hands crept down to grip her ass cheeks firmly… without a care for the onlookers, giving them a squeeze th
Minnie quickly tried to defuse the tension. "Yuna could have volunteered to kiss you instead of her husband, Emmeline. You don't have to feel guilty, and she doesn't have to be angry. Heck, if I were her, I'd definitely kiss you over my husband!"Taehyung hissed furiously at his wife's remark. "Are you a lesbian or something?"Minnie blinked at him innocently. "No, I'm just Thai."He tightened his arm around her shoulders possessively, pulling her into his chest. "As if I'd ever let you kissing another woman."A smile crept across Emmeline's lips at their cute couple's quarrel.Yuna quickly caught her attention again with a dismissive wave. "I'm not angry with anyone. I may be a career-obsessed woman, but I can certainly distinguish between mere fun and something truly serious."When the heated atmosphere had calmed down a bit, Emmeline finally rose from her lover's lap.Zavian's hands slowly trailed down her waist, reluctant to let go until the distance between their bodies widened."
Minnie tenderly cupped handfuls of water, using it to caress her husband's reddened shoulders. "I think I've had enough of this game for now. My poor husband, the apple of my eye, is going to catch his death from my overzealousness."Richard grabbed Emmeline's arm forcefully, pulling her up to stand with him. "No need to linger if they're all leaving. We won’t take too long getting changed."Minnie grunted a vague response before they departed.Emmeline and Richard parted ways in front of the changing rooms, leaving her to awkwardly shuffle inside and find Yuna already seated, clad only in her underwear.Everyone had emerged from the hot spring area except Minnie, who stayed behind to tend to her husband.Emeline approached the spot where she'd left her bag. “Minnie will be a few minutes behind,” she spoke awkwardly."Taehyung needs some time to recover after that ridiculous challenge he foolishly agreed to." Yuna answered calmly, putting on her pants.Emmeline swallowed nervously when
The restaurant was situated in a different wing of the resort, so they didn't need transportation to get there.They sat around a window table and dined quietly for a while until Minnie brightly recounted one of her memories."We spent New Year's Eve last year at my family's resort in Thailand. When we went to the restaurant for dinner, this charming young man kept staring over at our table. My husband thought I was the one he had his eye on, so he went over to warn the guy off."Taehyung gave Minnie's chair a firm kick, the sound of his foot connecting cutting her off abruptly. "Enough of that story, Minnie!"Minnie looked over at her husband before bursting into laughter. "But he ended up flirting with Taehyung instead and asked for his number!"Everyone else at the table joined in the laughter, except for Taehyung whose ears burned red with embarrassment and Zavian who remained calm."He told Tae he was too beautiful to be wasting his time dating women and should seriously consider
Emmeline jutted out her lower lip in a pout. "I'm not really one for surprises. My mind will drive itself crazy guessing until I'm too worked up to even enjoy it anymore."She furrowed her brows and folded her arms across her chest. "The word 'surprise' gets me so keyed up that I end up losing my enthusiasm entirely."Zavian sighed heavily, removing his hand from her neck. "Women!"Before she could retort, the watch on his wrist caught her eye and she eagerly grabbed his hand. "Isn't this the watch I gave you for Christmas?"Zavian glanced down at it absentmindedly. "I haven't lost another one since you gave me this. If I get bored of seeing it on my wrist every day, you can give me a new one for Valentine's Day."He looked back at her face and was startled to see tears welling up in her eyes. He cupped her cheek and ran his hand over its smooth flesh. "Emmeline? Are you about to cry, love?"Emmeline tilted her head back, rapidly blinking away the moisture. "You're the reason I want to
"I thought the surprise was over?" Came Emmeline’s curious voice.Zavian settled in front of the window with her coming to stand at his side.The sky outside was dark and clouded, but not for long because fireworks began lighting it up in brilliant bursts of color the next second."Fireworks!" Emmeline said in disbelief, turning to Zavian. "I thought I'd missed the show when I went to meet you in the hallway!"Zavian looked at her teary eyes with mixed emotions. "There's always something special waiting for you with me."A smile curved Emmeline’s lips. She turned back to the window, watching as the Fireworks continued to explode across the sky with their vibrant hues shattering the darkness. "It's breathtaking," she breathed.The crackling booms of the fireworks outside were deafening, the vibrant bursts of color painting the night sky in an array of breathtaking hues.Zavian's arm draped possessively around Emmeline's shoulders, tucking her snugly against his side as they watched the
Emmeline returned to the gathering, her composure carefully maintained after stashing the roses beneath her bed, hiding the secret that no one could suspect and fixing her makeup.Everyone accepted her excuse of feeling unwell without question, blissfully unaware of the forbidden tension crackling just beneath the surface.She sank into the chair across from Yuna and Minnie, who were deep in conversation.The night wore on, the three of them downing martinis as if the alcohol could wash away their troubles.Yuna, clearly more affected by the drinks than anyone else, sighed heavily and let her head fall back against the chair. "It's been so long since I let myself get drunk like this," she muttered in a voice thick with the weight of unspoken emotions.Emmeline glanced at her briefly but remained silent, her gaze flickering instead toward Zavian across the room. He was leaning against the bar, exuding the dark, magnetic energy that always seemed to draw her in.She ignored Yuna's rambli
Zavian studied her as his hand slowly trailed lower, finally coming to rest possessively on her backside. "I know jealousy is a rebellious feeling no lover can restrain or tame. It’s what tames us as it pleases. But I need you to trust me."He bent down to her level and squeezed her ass firmly as their bodies collided, the hard ridge of his erection prodding into her stomach. "Why do you doubt me?"Emmeline grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, pinning him with an accusatory glare. "Tell me why you're hard when you haven't even touched me yet? Does her proximity really excite you that much, Mr. Blackthorn?"Zavian nuzzled the tip of his nose against hers, a sly smile curving his lips. "Have you forgotten the naughty game you were playing with me in the tavern just a little while ago?" He trailed burning kisses along her skin.His hot breath on her skin left Emmeline dizzy and unable to think straight."You saw me staring at you the whole time. Out of all the women in the entire universe, you'
The folder trembled in Emmeline’s unsteady hands. "You want me to meet Richard and threaten to expose him?" Her voice quivered. "On my own?"Zavian’s fingers pressed into her shoulders. "My knowledge of your ex-husband tells me he won't stand against this card we're about to play. He'll give up the lawsuit without hesitation, despite his lawyer's advice to the contrary."Emmeline shook her head, fear evident in every movement. "I can't sit before him alone and blackmail him with a secret he's kept from everyone. He won't take this lying down." Panic crept into her voice, making it shake. "He'll kill me."Zavian bent closer until his warm breath caressed her face. "You have me, little girl. He wouldn't dare hurt you knowing that." His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. "We have to exploit his weakness to our advantage."Emmeline searched for moisture in her bone-dry throat. "Do you think we can't win against him in court without forcing him to concede?""Of course we can defeat Richard
Emmeline rolled her eyes and dropped her hands from his face. "You don't need to remind me every time as if I'm always trying to seduce you. I understand my virginity is necessary to win the court case, and after my meeting with Yuna today, I couldn't possibly do anything to ruin myself."Zavian’s hand settled on her head and ruffled her hair with patronizing affection. "Good girl.""Don't treat me like I'm a little girl," Emmeline protested, knitting her brows together in frustration.The age gap between them had always been a sensitive topic, one that Yuna never failed to bring up during their confrontations.Zavian's warmth disappeared as he stepped away, moving toward the yacht's door with grace.His expensive shoes clicked against the deck. "You are my little girl.” He smirked. "Let's go for a ride. The scenery might lift your mood."Emmeline’s earlier irritation melted away, replaced by genuine excitement. The prospect of spending time with him on the water always had this effec
Emmeline drew in a sharp, shuddering breath."Neither Yuna nor anyone else can destroy me!" The words erupted from Zavian's throat, each syllable carved with steel-edged conviction. His jaw clenched and his muscles there ticked with barely anger. "If you believe her words, then you don't know me at all, little one."Warmth bloomed across Emmeline's tear-stained cheeks.Zavian palms cupped her face. His thumbs traced gentle paths across her skin, catching the tears that continued to fall despite his tender ministrations. The contrast between his fierce words and gentle touch made her heart flutter."She targets you because you're the easiest mark in her eyes," his eyes darkened with protective fury. "I won't let her harm you. Do you understand what I'm saying, Emmeline?"Their gazes locked, and Emmeline felt herself drowning in the depths of his eyes. Even through the tempest of her emotions, she found an anchor in his unwavering stare.The intensity radiating from him was quintessenti
The journey to the port stretched endlessly, yet Emmeline barely registered the passing scenery. Thoughts of Zavian consumed her. He was the only one who could steady her, the only one who could make her feel safe.The soft hum of the yacht’s engine greeted her when Emmeline arrived.She stepped aboard without hesitation, moving with urgency, as if time itself threatened to slip away from her grasp.Zavian’s tall and commanding figure was standing with his back to the door when Emmeline reached the deck.His hands were tucked into the pockets of his slacks and his posture deceptively relaxed. However, Emmeline knew him well enough to see the tension in his shoulders that betrayed his thoughts.“Mr. Blackthorn.” Her voice cracked with emotions.Zavian turned sharply at the sound. His striking features tightened with concern once he saw the state she was in."Little—" His words died in his throat as Emmeline launched herself at him. The impact nearly threw him off balance.Her arms wrap
Emmeline's gaze drifted away from Yuna to a random corner of the coffee shop, where a young couple sat sharing a dessert. Their happiness contrasted with the scene unfolding at her table."I pitied you at first because no one deserves betrayal," she confessed softly, watching the condensation trail down the window. "But my desires were stronger. I used to curse myself after every sin... until I committed one far worse."A sigh escaped Emmeline's lips as she returned her gaze to Yuna's eyes."I’m not a thief," Emmeline’s self-confidence grew stronger with each word. "I did not steal your husband from you because his heart no longer belongs to you. I didn't snatch him from your bosom - he deserted it long ago. I merely crept into the fractures that you created." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but they carried the weight of truth she could no longer deny.Yuna’s grip tightened around her coffee cup. “Even if you rehearsed your stories together, they wouldn’t match this perfectly.
Emmeline’s thoughts drifted to Zavian, who had left with Yuna earlier. The image of them walking away together haunted her mind. Her fingers moved across the screen almost unconsciously."Where are you now?"The minutes ticked by without response, each passing moment heightening her anxiety. The silence felt deafening in her room as she watched the unchanging screen. Her desperation seeped through after what felt like an eternity."It's been half an hour since we parted, is it possible that you two are still together?" Emmeline sent another message.Her forehead creased as she stared at the unchanging screen. A bitter realization struck her, prompting another message:"What are you two talking about?"The absurdity of her own actions hit her suddenly. She tossed the phone aside and rolled on her back with fresh tears spilling down her temples."Of course, they're talking about her finding out about us. What else could it be?" Her voice was a fragile whisper, barely breaking the silenc
Emmeline caught a glimpse of Richard’s face through the tinted glass of his BMW as he also peeled away from the courthouse. His smug and self-satisfied smile made her stomach turn."Despicable!" she cursed under her breath. The word seemed inadequate to describe the magnitude of her contempt, but it was all she could manage without breaking down completely.Silence descended on the remaining trio, heavy and oppressive."Are you going to tell me why Mrs. Blackthorn seems to hate you so much?" Emile's question broke the quiet. "Why would she defend Richard after everything she knows about him?" His eyes darted between Emmeline and Brody, searching for answers in their expressions.Emmeline drew a shaky breath. "There's no enmity between us," she murmured. "At least, not that I know of."A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Maybe she's hated me all along, and I've been too blind to see it."Brody's gaze bore into her, sharp and calculating. "I think there's more to this than you're letting
"Yuna is indeed Richard's lawyer!" Emmeline’s voice cracked, denial weighing down every syllable.She tightened her grip on the strap of her bag so tightly her trembling fingers dug into the leather. It was the only thing keeping her grounded in this moment that felt more like a nightmare than reality.Zavian’s head snapped toward her in disbelief. "What the fuck?" The curse came low and rough, like a growl from deep in his chest.His jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his neck stood out.Brody tilted his head slightly as his sharp gaze flicked between them. "Didn’t she tell you she’s defending Richard?" His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it.Zavian let out a bitter laugh—one short and humorless. "Looks like I’m the last one to know." He spoke in a chilly tone.His hands curled into fists at his sides, the veins in his forearms standing out as he fought to keep his anger in check.Emmeline opened her mouth to respond, but Zavian’s attention suddenly shifted.His enti
Yuna’s face darkened and her teeth ground audibly.“Let’s move on to the best part of the recording.” Brody tapped the screen once more before she could protest."The pain I've put you through is nothing compared to the consequences you'll face once I'm free from this place," Richard's voice slithered through the room, venomous and chilling.All eyes turned to Richard, whose face had gone pale. His lips parted, but no words came out.Brody’s expression was sharp with mockery. “Care to explain to us exactly what kind of torment you put her through?”Richard’s hands trembled. “I meant… well, actually…” His words stumbled over each other, collapsing into an awkward silence.Richard looked at Yuna in desperation when his tongue failed him, silently begging for assistance. Despite the damning evidence Brody had just presented, Yuna’s expression remained composed and as solid as stone.“Torture,” Yuna began smoothly, “can mean many things. My client’s words in the recording are vague at bes