Chapter Fifty Four

Ryan had been avoiding Emily for weeks, but now that he understood he needed to see her, every route appeared to bring him back to her.

Emily expected another update regarding the divorce when she arrived at Sophia's office the next afternoon.

Upon spotting Ryan at Sophia's desk, she stopped.

Her heart felt like it was tightening.

"What are you doing here?" Emily asked.

Ryan stood on his feet and said, "I asked Sophia for a meeting."

Emily said, "You should have checked with me first."

"I suspected you would say no," Ryan replied.

"So at last, you know me well enough to say that," she said.

For a moment, he looked at her.

"I heard you still want to go ahead with the divorce," he said.

"Yes, I will,” she replied.

"Are you happy?" He asked.

Emily nearly laughed.

"Is that what you came here to ask?" She said 

"No,” he replied.

"Then ask what brought you here," she said.

Ryan turned his gaze to Sophia.

"I've found out something regarding your inheritance."

Emily's expression shifted.

"What?" She asked.

"Certain funds were transferred while my mother was managing your trust," Ryan said.

"I already know about that," she replied.

"Not all of it."

Sophia folded her arms.

"What exactly did you find?" Sophia asked.

Ryan used the desk to keep a folder.

"Some of the money went through companies connected to Victor Knight," he said.

Emily fixed her gaze on him.

"Why are you telling me this?" She asked.

"Because you have a right to know," he responded.

"You've said that before."

"I know," he said.

"And every time, you want something from me."

Ryan's face grew tense.

"Not this time," Ryan said.

Emily watched him closely.

"So, what is it you want?"

Ryan hesitated.

"I want you."

The room went silent.

Emily looked away.

"That can't happen anymore," Emily said.

"I understand," he replied.

"Do you really?" She asked.

Ryan replied, "Yes."

His voice was lower.

"I know what I did to you."

Emily swallowed and said, "So don't make this harder."

"I don't intend to," he replied.

"But you keep turning up in my life," she said.

"I never stopped loving you,” Ryan replied.

He met Emily's gaze.

"It's not enough," she said.

Ryan looked down at the folder.

"But there are still certain matters about our marriage that you don't know about."

Emily went still.

"What sort of things?"

Ryan shook his head.

"We shouldn't talk about it here," he said.

"Then why bring it up?" Emily asked.

"Because I need you to be careful," he replied.

"Careful with Margaret?" She asked.

"With everybody," he replied.

He was the target of Emily's investigation.

"You're still hiding something."

Ryan smiled faintly, a tired smile and said,

"So are you."

Her heart beat faster.

For one terrifying moment, Emily wondered whether he knew.

Yet Ryan merely looked at her.

"What are you trying to say?" Emily asked.

"You've changed," Ryan said.

"Having your heart broken does that to a person," she said.

"I am aware," Ryan said.

Both of them kept their true opinions to themselves.

Ryan wanted to ask whether there was someone else.

Emily wanted to ask if he had found out about her pregnancy.

But none of them asked.

Sophia said, "Leave any proof here if you have any." "We will take another look at it."

Ryan nodded.

He handed Emily a folder and said, "I don't expect your forgiveness."

"I don't forgive you," Emily replied.

He looked toward her and said, "I know.”

Ryan turned toward the door and then stopped and said, "One more thing."

Emily watched him.

"My mother didn't move that money on her own."

Sophia's brow furrowed.

"Who helped her?" Sophia asked.

Ryan was looking straight at Emily.

"A person from Carter Holdings."

"Who?" Emily asked.

Suddenly, Ryan's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

The look on his face shifted.

"Is something the matter?" Emily asked.

Ryan picked up the call.

"Hello?"

He listened.

Then his face turned white.

"Are you sure?" Ryan asked.

Another pause.

"I'll be there immediately. Don't touch a thing,” he continued and he cut the line.

Emily moved closer.

"What happened?" Emily asked.

Her eyes were locked on Ryan.

For the very first time, his eyes showed genuine terror.

"They found the missing documents."

"Where?" Sophia asked.

Ryan gagged.

"In my old office."

Emily's heart began to race.

"Which documents?" Emily asked.

Ryan glanced at her.

"The ones that prove who took your money."

"And Emily," he said gently, "my mother had a reason for wanting them hidden so badly."

Ryan's phone rang again before Emily could respond.

A picture appeared on the screen.

Ryan stared at it.

Emily got the phone in a gradual turn.

Her blood turned cold.

It was a picture of her parents.

Emily had never laid eyes on the man standing beside them.