Chapter Eight

Chapter 8

Emily was immobile.

She looked at the image of her parents, still alive, standing close to Victor Knight on Damian's phone. Three days before their death.

She could no longer compose herself.

She said inaudibly, "That can't be real."

Damian didn't say anything.

She held her cell phone. "I want to look at it again."

He gave it to them.

She cross checked the image. Her Dad's face was clear and sharp. It was just a normal picture which had no sigh of what was going to befall them.

Emily's hands were now shaking.

Where did you get this?

"I'm not sure."

"Who gave it to you?"

"It was from an anonymous number."

She gave Damian a look. "Can this picture be doctored?"

"It is likely."

A ray of hope.

"But I don't think so," he continued. She was interrupted by the crackling sound of the microphone before she could speak.

"Our esteemed guests, do not be afraid."

The chairman took the stage. "Tonight's event's formal portion is now over. We kindly request that everyone leave the ballroom in a composed and orderly manner.

It only required that.

Pushing toward the doors were reporters. Investors murmured as they gathered in groups. It was evident that everybody was afraid.

Emily returned the phone to Damian's grasp.

"I have to leave."

He gave a nod. "Yes."

Ryan moved to the front.

"Emily."

She came to a halt.

He appeared exhausted.

"Can we have a conversation?"

"No."

"Please."

"You have three years to be honest with me."

Ryan tensed up. "I had no idea how."

"You were skilled at lying."

Emily looked away.

Ryan took hold of her arm.

Damian made a quick move. "Release her."

Ryan leave her alone.

The two men made eye contact.

Ryan then turned to face Emily. "You should exercise caution, but I have no idea what my mother is planning."

"Why?"

With a low voice, Ryan looked around. "Because you're being observed."

"We are aware."

Ryan looked back at him. "You think you know everything."

After that, he left.

Emily saw him disappear into the throng.

She questioned, "What did he mean?"

Damian remained silent.

"I had a question for you."

I'm not sure.

She looked at his face. "You're telling lies."

His gaze locked with hers. "I'm attempting to avoid making things worse."

She laughed bitterly. "It's impossible for my life to get much worse."

Damian's face softened. "Avoid saying that."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't realize how bad things can get."

She felt uneasy because of the weight in his voice.

Sophia's name flashed on her phone before she could reply.

Emily replied. "Hello?"

"Where are you, Emily?"

"The gala."

"I am aware. It is widely reported in the media.

Emily closed her eyes. It was, of course.

Sophia continued. "Your divorce is being made public. There is pressure on Ryan's business. You must leave now. Can you come and see me at my office first thing tomorrow morning?

Emily gave a nod. "I can."

"And Emily?"

"Yes?"

"Don't ever append your signature on anything that Ryan gives you."

"What is the reason, if I may ask?"

"I will explain it in detail to you when I see you tomorrow."

The call ended.

Emily gave Damian a look. "Did you just get off the phone with your attorney?"

"No. Mine is much more annoying.

Emily nearly grinned in spite of everything.

Damian saw. "That's preferable."

"What is preferable?"

"The way you look. Nearly a grin.

It was reduced. "Do not."

"Don't what?"

"Don't act as though you comprehend me."

Damian's expression became motionless. "You do not realize how much I know."

She turned her head away.

She didn't want to think about how he had touched her, kissed her, or gazed at her that evening. Or the odd, enduring tug in her chest that she had been putting off for days.

"I'm heading out," she declared.

"Allow me drive you home."

"I don't have a home."

Damian insisted. "I'll take you somewhere safe after that."

"I am capable of managing myself."

"Emily."

"A tracker was placed in your purse by someone."

She was still.

Damian went on. "Someone with access to my building gave you pictures of yourself. Someone broke into my penthouse tonight.

Emily took a swallow. "You're correct."

He extended his hand. "Accompany me."

She didn't hesitate this time.

She accepted it.

They made their way to the door.

Ryan was watching behind them.

Margaret called out for Ryan.

He responded. "What?"

She spoke in a cold tone. "Did she see the picture?"

Ryan looked over at Emily. "Yes." "And Damian?"

"He also witnessed it."

Then: "This is becoming risky."

"What should I do for you?"

"Keep Emily away from Damian."

Ryan stopped for a second. "Why?"

"You don't have to know."

"Mom—"

The  phone call came to an end.

Ryan gazed at the phone.

Next, at the doors.

Emily had gone.

It dawned on him for the first time that he might have already lost control.

Emily's face was struck by the nite air outside.

She took a deep breath.

Behind them, the ballroom's din subsided.

Damian's black vehicle was parked at the curb.

The passenger door was opened by him.

Emily paused. "Where are we heading?"

"My location."

She looked at him with rage. "No." I will not go to that place. I am not even thinking about it. “You were” I wasn't.

"You're not good at lying."

She rolled her eyes.

The tension between them subsided for a brief moment.

Damian's phone rang after that.

As he responded, his face darkened.

"Yes?"

A pause.

"Are you certain?"

One more pause.

"Avoid touching anything."

He ended the call.

Emily observed him. "What took place?"

"There was something left behind by the man who broke into my penthouse."

"What did the person leave behind?"

"An photograph."

"An additional one?"

Damian gave a nod. "Of you."

Emily felt her stomach tighten.

"What kind?"

"The morning after we met, you were heading out of the hotel."

Emily gasped for air.

"How did they obtain that?"

"I'm not sure."

Slide into the driver's seat, Damian.

Emily trailed behind.

The vehicle withdrew.

For a few minutes, neither said anything.

Emily's phone buzzed after that.

She cast a downward glance.

The number is unknown.

Just one message.

Her fingers went cold.

You ought to have paid attention to Ryan.

There was another message.

You will be destroyed by the truth about your parents.

Emily's breath caught.

Damian took a quick look. "What is it?"

She turned the screen slowly in his direction.

He perused the messages.

His jaw clenched.

Then there was another.

Not a text.

Just a picture.

Emily cracked it open.

Her heart ceased to beat.

Her parents were outside the headquarters of Carter Holdings, a structure she instantly recognized.

She was not scared of that.

A third figure was standing behind them.

A man, his face partially hidden.

Emily took a close look.

She lost her breath.

"Damian..."

"What?"

She gestured. "That individual."

Damian took a look.

His face became icy.

He was familiar with him.

Emily gazed. "Who is he?"

Damian remained silent.

"Damian?"

He tightened his hold on the steering wheel.

"That is my father," he muttered.

Emily gazed at him. "But your dad passed away long ago."

"I am aware."

The vehicle abruptly slowed.

Damian looked in the rearview mirror.

They had been pursued by a black SUV.

It was getting closer to them.

Emily's heart began to race.

"Damian..."

"I see it."

The SUV picked up speed.

Damian accelerated.

The vehicle accelerated.

Emily reached for the door.

"Who are they?"

"I'm not sure."

The SUV continued to pursue them.

Then it beeped its headlights twice.

The phone rang for Damian.

Without looking, he responded.

"Damian, you ought to have left the woman alone," said a warped voice.

Damian's expression hardened. "Who is this?"

A quiet chuckle.

"You're not the only one who can destroy a family," comes next.

The call came to an end.

Damian gave Emily a look. Then at the SUV that was following them.

His gaze abruptly fell to her abdomen.

"Emily."

"What?"

"What time is your monthly cycle?"

She was still. "What?"

"What time is your menstrual period?"

Emily's was now in total shock.

She it was supposed to be a secret. Not Ryan. Not Sophia. Not even herself, not aloud.

Her hand strayed to her stomach.

"I..."

From behind, the SUV crashed into them.

Emily let out a cry.

Damian struggled with the steering wheel.

The vehicle abruptly veered off the road.

Damian calling Emily's name was the final sound she heard before everything went dark.