Emma's POV The hours that followed blurred togetherâRyan by my side, holding my hand, whispering words of encouragement. He whispered words of encouragement, his gaze full of love and strength, his fingers tracing soft circles over my skin, soothing me. His strength became my strength, his voice a lifeline. Every time I looked into his eyes, I felt anchored, loved, and understood in a way that words could never express.At last, the moment came. I heard the first wail, and as they placed her in my arms, I felt the first weight of her in my arms and a rush of love so deep, it was overwhelming, and my heart expanded in ways I hadnât thought possible. Ryan was beside me, his eyes fixed on her with a look of absolute awe. He kissed my forehead, his voice thick with emotion. âSheâs beautiful,â he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. His hand cradled her tiny head, and he looked at me, eyes filled with gratitude. âThank you, Emma,â he whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss to m
Emma's POV One month had passed since our island escape, and coming back to the life weâd built here felt different nowâlighter somehow as if love had settled into every corner of our home. Ryan had slipped into our family life effortlessly, filling each day with small acts of tenderness that wove us closer together. For the first time in so long, I felt whole.But nothing could have prepared me for the morning. I realized my life was about to change once again.The signs were subtle at firstâjust an unusual fatigue, a lingering wave of dizziness now and then. I brushed it off as the after-effects of our busy schedules. But soon the signs became clearer, and I found myself looking down at a positive pregnancy test, a swirl of emotions overwhelming me. I sat there, staring at it, joy and disbelief intermingling. I was going to have another baby.Ryan came home later that evening, his face lighting up as he saw me. He wrapped me in his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. âHey,
Emma's POV We headed back to our suite, but Ryan had one last surprise waiting for me. When we entered the room, the lights were dimmed, and the air was filled with the scent of jasmine and vanilla.A path of rose petals led to the bathroom, where a luxurious bubble bath had been drawn, candles flickering around the edges of the tub.âRyanâŠâ I gasped, turning to him with wide eyes. âDid youâ?âHe grinned, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my cheek. âI figured after a day like today, you deserved a little pampering.âMy heart swelled with love for this man, who knew exactly how to make every moment special. He led me to the tub, helping me slip into the warm, fragrant water before joining me. The bubbles rose around us, and I leaned back against his chest, closing my eyes as his hands massaged my shoulders.We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound of the gentle lapping of the water and the soft flicker of the candles. It was peaceful, intimate, and everyth
Emma's POV After several hours in the sky, we began our descent, and I noticed a glimmer of turquoise below, almost like a hidden jewel nestled in a sea of endless blue. As we got closer, I could make out an island ringed with pristine beaches, the sunlight casting golden highlights across the sand. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the sceneâthe untouched beauty of white sand, palm trees swaying gently, the promise of secluded beaches.âThis isâŠall yours?â I asked, a sense of disbelief coloring my words. It felt almost unreal.Ryan laughed softly, wrapping an arm around me. âNot just mine. Ours. Consider this our private retreat.The thought of itâan entire island, untouched and serene, where we could simply be togetherâsent a thrill through me. Once we landed, a small team greeted us, but they quickly disappeared after helping us settle in. It was just the two of us, alone in paradise.Ryan wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close against him. I leaned into his c
Emma's POV Once we were certain that Daniel and Evan were safely behind bars, I felt like I could finally exhale. It was surreal to think that the shadows of their crimesâmurder, kidnapping, so many lives shatteredâwere now confined, unable to reach us. The damage, though, still lingered, especially in Evaâs life.Danielâs conviction allowed her to obtain a swift divorce and full custody of their son, Danny. But while she had her freedom, she deserved a chance at happiness too.Eva had been through unimaginable hardship, and now, with a young son, Danny, to care for, her life was far from settled. Thankfully, the charges against Daniel made it relatively easy for her to get a divorce and secure sole custody of Danny. Still, she was young and had lost much; it wasnât right for her to face the future on her own.Ryan, in his characteristic way of looking after people, was the first to offer support. It was Ryan who first suggested a way to help her move forward. He introduced her to on
Ryan's POV As the officers secured him in handcuffs and began reading him his rights, I turned to Emma. She was still trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as though trying to shield herself from the horrors sheâd just endured. Her eyes, red and puffy from tears, met mine, and I saw a mix of relief and determination there.âRyan,â she whispered, her voice barely audible. âThereâs something you need to know.âI stepped closer, my hand brushing against hers in a gesture of comfort. âWhat is it?âShe hesitated, glancing at James, who clung to my side, his small fingers gripping my shirt. I knelt, cupping his face gently.âItâs okay, buddy,â I murmured. âEverythingâs going to be fine now.âI turned to one of the officers. âCan someone take my son outside? He doesnât need to hear this.âAn officer nodded, extending his hand toward James. âHey, champ, why donât you come with me? Weâve got some juice and snacks in the car.âJames looked at me, uncertainty flickering in his wide
Ryan's POV With a swift kick, the door slammed open, the sound reverberating like a gunshot through the room. Evan spun around, startled but not surprised. He stood over Emma and James, both bound to chairs. My heart clenched as I took in their facesâpale but alive, their eyes widening in shock and relief at the sight of us.âEmma,â I murmured, my voice low but filled with urgency. âItâs alright. Iâm here.âRelief seemed to flood through her, and she nearly collapsed in the chair as if she had been holding her breath, the tension finally breaking. But there was no time to rest. Evan was already recovering, his face twisted with rage.âYou,â he spat, his voice dripping with hatred. âAlways ruining everything.ââThis ends now, Evan,â I said, âYouâve done enough.âEvan laughed, âOh, you think youâre the hero now? After everything you took from me?âMy jaw tightened, and my fists clenched at my sides. âI didnât take anything from you, Evan. You did this to yourself.âEvanâs face twisted
Ryan's POV Just ahead, I saw tire marks in the mud, leading away from the area. I crouched down, examining them, my mind racing. I followed the impressions of the tires in the mud and was shocked by what I saw ahead.I saw a car, just like mine, with the same number.What the hell?He used this to make them think it was me, not him, so theyâd believe him.I saw a candy wrapper lying thereâa Swiss chocolate candy Iâd bought for my son. I picked it up, frustration coursing through me, a flood of helplessness rising with it. I was used to solving problems with precision, but here, every step felt like I was grasping at shadows. Emma and James were out there somewhereâalone, scared, with that monster.Gritting my teeth, I swore Iâd kill that man. For the first time in years, I felt powerless, as if everything I valued was slipping through my fingers.Finally, the team managed to pinpoint Emmaâs phoneâs last ping just outside an abandoned cottageâthe perfect hiding place. A surge of deter
Ryan's POV Then, the final revelation, the one that sent a chill through my veins. âEvan doesnât just want to ruin you, Ryan,â Daniel said, his eyes glinting with perverse satisfaction. âHe wants to be you. Heâs been planning this for months. Changing his look, studying youâdown to your bloody mannerisms. Heâs got a way out, a clean record. No one would question it if he walked right back into your life, because no one would know.âThe room fell silent, his words hanging in the air, heavier than anything Iâd imagined. Evan planned to kill us, to eliminate every trace of my existence, and then live as meâheâd done everything necessary to erase his old life and assume mine, seamlessly.The realization gripped me like a vice. Emma and James were in the hands of a man who was not only ruthless but methodical, who wouldnât hesitate to kill them just to ensure his twisted plan played out perfectly. I could feel the rage, the cold, calculated fury that settled deep in my bones, overriding t