Emma POV Emma stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the city lights, though her mind was far from the serene view outside. Her heart—steady, controlled—felt the weight of the storm Ethan had ignited the moment he stepped back into her life.Behind her, Ethan leaned casually against the doorframe, his eyes locked on her like a predator watching its prey. His voice broke the silence, low and deliberate. “You’ve been avoiding me.”Emma turned, her face calm but her eyes sharp. “And yet, here you are. As relentless as ever.”He smirked, stepping into the room with the calculated ease of a man who never heard the word no. “You make it sound like persistence is a flaw.”“It is when the person you’re chasing doesn’t want to be found.” Emma folded her arms, her voice steady despite the churn of emotions within her. “What do you want, Ethan?”Ethan’s smirk faded, replaced by a seriousness that made her stomach tighten. “I want the truth. About what happened between you and Damian.”Emma blin
Cassie’s POVMy hand hovering just above the doorknob. Something was off, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Emma had always been the strong one between us, but lately, her strength seemed more like a mask. And Ethan? He was the kind of man who could turn a quiet day into chaos with nothing but his presence. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the faint smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen. “Emma?” I called, setting my bag down by the couch. No answer. I walked through the house, my nerves twisting. Emma wasn’t the type to just disappear without saying something, especially not with all the tension that had been hanging in the air lately. When I reached the living room, my stomach tightened. Her phone was on the table, next to a half-empty cup of tea. The tea was cold. Whatever had pulled her away, it hadn’t been planned. I grabbed her phone, scrolling through the recent calls. The last name that appeared made my skin crawl—Damian. A chill ran down m
Cassie POVThe cold air wrapped around me like a warning as I stepped out of the event. The city buzzed with life, but my thoughts were tangled in the web of secrets that Ethan and Damian had spun around Emma. She was walking briskly ahead, her movements sharp and filled with purpose.“Emma, wait!” I called, quickening my pace to catch up with her.She didn’t stop, didn’t even turn. “Don’t, Cassie. I don’t need another person trying to protect me.”“Is that what you think I’m doing?” I asked, my voice calm as I finally caught up to her. “I’m trying to understand what’s going on. You’re my best friend, Emma. I’m not just going to stand by while you get caught in the crossfire.”Emma stopped, her shoulders stiff as she turned to face me. Her eyes were red, not from tears but from frustration. “I don’t even know what I’m caught in, Cassie. And no one is telling me the truth.”I placed a hand on her arm, trying to steady her. “Then let’s find out together. Whatever Damian and Ethan are hi
Emma’s POVThe card sat on the table in front of me, its weight far heavier than its thin paper. Damian’s message was clear: if I wanted answers, I had to meet him on his terms. But what if I didn’t like what I found out?Cassie paced the room, her frustration spilling into every sharp step. “This is a trap, Emma. You know that, right?”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I don’t have a choice. Damian’s the only one willing to give me answers, even if they come with a price.”“You don’t trust him,” Cassie said firmly. “And you shouldn’t. Damian doesn’t just give information. He uses it to manipulate people.”I looked at her, my resolve hardening. “I need to know the truth. About Ethan, about why Damian’s so obsessed with me. I can’t keep living in the dark.”Cassie stopped pacing, her expression softening. “Then I’m coming with you.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I need to do this alone.”“You can’t trust him, Emma,” she argued. “What if he tries to hurt you?”“I’ll be careful,” I promis
Nathan’s POVI stepped into the black SUV waiting near the alley. Elena was already inside, her fingers flying across her tablet as she pieced together the fragmented files we had taken from Damian’s hidden room.“We don’t have time for this,” I muttered, slamming the door shut. “Damian’s not going to sit back and let us walk away with all that evidence.”Elena glanced up at me, her brow furrowed in concentration. “This isn’t just evidence, Nathan. This is his entire operation. Blackmail material, financial records, deals with his so-called allies. It’s enough to bury him.”I clenched my jaw, my mind already calculating our next move. “And it’s enough to put Emma in even more danger. We need to move fast.”Ethan climbed into the SUV moments later, followed by Emma, who looked pale but determined. She was quiet, her gaze fixed on her hands.“Drive,” Ethan said sharply.The driver didn’t need to be told twice. The car lurched forward, the city’s dim lights flashing past the windows.“Da
Emma's POVEvery passing moment felt like another thread of control unraveling from the web Ethan had spun around me. His cryptic warnings about Damian, the vague promises of truth, and the weight of his secrets—everything felt like a cage I didn’t know how to escape.I sat by the window in the guest room, staring at the garden below. The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed almost mocking in their brightness. This estate was a beautiful prison, and Ethan was the warden who refused to release me.The soft knock at the door startled me. I turned to see Cassie peeking her head in, her expression a mix of worry and determination.“Are you okay?” she asked, stepping inside without waiting for an answer.“I don’t know,” I admitted, hugging my knees to my chest.Cassie closed the door behind her and crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. “This isn’t like you, Emma. You’ve always been strong, even when things fell apart. But now… you look like you’re drowning.”I sighed, resting m
Emma’s POVThe cold air of the night bit at my skin as I stood near the edge of the estate, staring into the dark woods. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it a strange feeling of unease. I had been feeling it all day—the weight of everything that had happened, the lies, the secrets, the constant feeling of being trapped in a world that didn’t seem like my own anymore.I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to block out the thoughts that kept spinning in my mind. There was so much I didn’t know. Ethan had told me about Damian, about the past they shared, but it wasn’t enough. Damian was after something, and I was at the center of it all. And I needed to understand why."Emma," I heard Ethan’s voice call out from behind me. I turned to see him standing in the doorway of the house, his figure barely visible in the dim light. "What are you doing out here?"I sighed, feeling the weight of everything pressing on me. "I needed some air," I said, my voice quiet, almost defe
Emma's POVEthan We’d crossed a line tonight, and I wasn’t sure if it was too late to turn back. Damian had finally shown his hand, and now it was clear: this wasn’t just about power or control. This was personal."Ethan, I don’t think we have much time," I said, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. "Damian’s not just playing games anymore. He’s making his move."Ethan turned to face me, his eyes burning with a mix of fury and resolve. "I know. And we’re going to stop him."I felt my heart beat faster, not in fear, but in determination. For too long, I had been pushed around, controlled by forces I didn’t understand. But no more. I was done being a pawn in someone else’s game. Tonight, I was going to take back control.Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the building. We all turned at the same time, the noise coming from the hallway. I knew instantly that this wasn’t a coincidence. Damian had set something in motion."Stay close," Ethan whispered, his voice calm but
Emma’s POVThe next morning, I awoke to the smell of coffee drifting through the cabin. It was a small comfort after the emotional weight of Ethan’s confession the night before. My thoughts swirled as I dressed, each one more troubling than the last. The man I had come to depend on, despite our differences, had killed someone. And now, because of that act, Damian had marked me as a target in his vendetta against Ethan. When I entered the kitchen, Ethan was already seated at the table, his laptop open and a mug of coffee in his hand. He looked up as I walked in, his eyes betraying a wariness that mirrored my own. “Good morning,” he said, his tone cautious. I nodded, pouring myself a cup of coffee before sitting across from him. “What’s the plan?” Ethan closed his laptop, leaning back in his chair. “The plan is to keep you safe.” I frowned. “That’s not a plan. That’s a vague promise.” He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Emma, I know you’re frustrated—” “Frustrated
Emma’s POVThe man’s calm demeanor unsettled me more than his words. His warning echoed in my mind: *“Ethan isn’t who you think he is.”* “What are you talking about?” I demanded, keeping the flashlight pointed at him. The faint beam flickered across his face, highlighting sharp features and calculating eyes. He didn’t flinch. “You think Ethan is your protector, but he’s only protecting his own interests.” I tightened my grip on the flashlight, my unease growing. “Who sent you?” “Does it matter?” he countered, his tone even. “I’m here because you need to know the truth.” “And what truth is that?” I pressed. The man hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if to ensure we were alone. Then he turned back to me, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Ethan has been lying to you about Damian. This isn’t just about business or revenge. There’s something else at play—something much darker.” Before I could respond, the crunch of snow behind me made me spin around. Ethan stood th
Emma’s POVThe snow outside the cabin had thickened overnight, turning the world into a white abyss. I sat by the window, staring out at the blanket of frost that stretched for miles. My thoughts swirled, an endless loop of questions and doubts. Damian’s threat hung over us like a storm cloud, and the tension between Ethan and me seemed ready to snap at any moment. I needed clarity, but with Ethan’s constant secrecy and Serene’s cryptic warnings, it felt like I was trapped in a puzzle with no solution. The sound of a car engine broke through the silence. I turned to see headlights cutting through the falling snow, approaching the cabin. My stomach churned. “Ethan!” I called, my voice sharp. He emerged from the study, his expression immediately alert. “What is it?” “There’s someone here,” I said, pointing to the window. Ethan moved to my side, his eyes narrowing as the car came to a stop. “Stay here,” he said firmly, already heading for the door. I followed him despite hi
Emma’s POVThe cabin was eerily silent when I woke up, the morning light filtering through the curtains. I stretched and glanced at the empty side of the bed where Ethan had slept. He had been distant and cold since the confrontation with Damian last night, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing—something bigger than both of us.I pulled on a warm sweater and padded to the kitchen. The smell of coffee hit me, but Ethan was nowhere to be found. On the counter was a note in his sharp handwriting: *“Gone to handle something. Stay in the cabin.”*I crumpled the note in my fist. Who did he think he was, giving me orders like I was some wayward child? I wasn’t a prisoner, and I certainly wasn’t going to sit around waiting for him to decide what I needed to know.I poured myself a cup of coffee, the bitter liquid doing little to ease my irritation. My thoughts spiraled back to the events of last night. Damian’s sudden appearance, Ethan’s cryptic behavior, and the growing
Emma’s POVThe suffocating silence of the penthouse pressed on me like a heavy weight. Ethan’s abrupt departure from last night’s confrontation at the dinner Party had left me in a whirlpool of confusion and anger. His words echoed in my mind: *“You don’t get to walk away from this, Emma.”*But I wasn’t the same naive girl he had manipulated months ago. The baby growing inside me served as a constant reminder of why I couldn’t allow myself to falter.Cassie’s warning replayed in my thoughts like a broken record: *“You need to decide if you’re fighting for yourself or this toxic relationship, Emma.”* It wasn’t just a question of survival anymore; it was about reclaiming my autonomy.Ethan’s footsteps announced his arrival. He entered the living room, his expression a mask of cold determination.“Pack your bags,” he said without preamble.I blinked. “Excuse me?”“We’re leaving for Aspen tonight,” he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “It’s time to get away from the chaos he
Emma's POV The top floor of the high-rise felt like an arena, and Damian stood in the center, commanding the room with his smug presence. Ethan’s jaw tightened, his every movement deliberate and calculating. Chloe and I stood a few steps behind him, while Martin flanked the group, his sharp eyes scanning for threats. “Let me guess,” Damian began, his tone mocking. “You’re here to make some grand speech about justice, truth, and taking back control.” Ethan didn’t take the bait. “You’ve had plenty of chances to back down, Damian. This is your last one.” “Back down?” Damian scoffed, gesturing dramatically to the panoramic view of the city behind him. “Why would I back down when I’m on the verge of winning? Look around, Ethan. This city, this game—it’s mine now.” “It’s over,” Ethan said firmly. “We’ve got evidence tying you to everything—the bribes, the extortion, the sabotage. Walk away now, and maybe you’ll have a sliver of dignity left.” Damian’s smirk faltered, but only for
Emma's POV Ethan slammed the door to the study, the sound reverberating through the large estate. I stood by the window, arms crossed, waiting for him to speak. His frustration was palpable, but I wasn’t about to back down. “What were you thinking, Emma?” he snapped, his voice low but intense. I turned to face him, meeting his glare with equal fire. “I was thinking that sitting around and waiting wasn’t going to solve anything. I’m tired of being a bystander in my own life.” “You put yourself in danger!” Ethan shot back, pacing the room. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened if Chloe hadn’t shown up when she did?” “I know exactly what could’ve happened,” I replied, my voice steady. “But if I hadn’t gone, we wouldn’t know half of what Damian is planning.” Ethan stopped pacing, his jaw tight as he stared at me. “You’re too reckless.” “And you’re too controlling,” I countered, taking a step toward him. “This isn’t just your fight, Ethan. It’s mine too. Whether you lik
Emma's POV Damian stood across from me, his gaze sharp and calculating, as if he could read every thought running through my mind. His men flanked him, their expressions impassive, but I could feel the weight of their presence. This wasn’t just a confrontation anymore. It was a battle—a battle for control, for power, for my future.“You’ve been quiet, Emma,” Damian said, his voice smooth, almost too calm. “What’s on your mind?”I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to let him see the unease creeping under my skin. “I’m thinking about how this ends, Damian. And it’s not going to end the way you want it to.”He chuckled, the sound echoing off the cold concrete walls. “You’ve always been a fighter. But it’s cute how you think you have any control here. I hold all the cards, Emma. And you know it.”I met his gaze without flinching. “You might have the cards, but I’m not the one playing this game anymore. Ethan is.”Damian’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, but it was enough
Emma's POV Damian watched me with the kind of twisted satisfaction that made my stomach churn. His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and his hands rested casually in his pockets as if this was all just a game to him. “You’ve got Ethan’s stubbornness,” he said, his tone amused. “But I wonder—does it run deep enough to save you?” “I don’t need saving,” I replied sharply, narrowing my eyes at him. Damian chuckled, the sound echoing in the hollow space. “Oh, Emma. You’re standing in a trap, and you don’t even know it.” “What do you want from me, Damian?” I asked, my voice as firm as I could manage. He stepped closer, the smile fading from his lips. “I told you. I want to send Ethan a message. And you’re going to deliver it for me.” “I’m not your pawn,” I snapped, my fists clenched at my sides. “Everyone is a pawn in someone else’s game,” he said simply. “The question is whether you’re smart enough to realize it.” ---Before I could respond, one of Damian’s men reached out, gri