Chapter Fifty Three

Even though Damian shut the penthouse door, the quietness between them seemed like another obstacle that neither of them knew how to remove.

Emily gripped her bag tightly as she remained at the door.

Damian watched her for a brief period of time.

"You came," Damian said.

Emily replied, "You asked me to come."

Damian said, "I wasn't sure you'd show up."

"I also had some reservations," Emily said.

They went into the living room.

Emily recalled the last time she had been in that place.

She had been keeping something hidden.

Damian was now aware of it.

But the secret's weight had increased in some way.

"Do you want a beverage?"Damian asked

Emily replied, "No, thank you."

"Would you like coffee?" Damian extended an offer.

Emily nearly smiled at that.

"You know lately, coffee hasn't been my friend," she said.

Damian said, "I remember."

The quiet came back.

Damian's attention briefly shifted to her before he averted his gaze. And Emily also looked at him quietly.

"You've been thinking about what I said," Damian stated.

"And so have you," Emily said.

"Actually," Damian admitted.

Have you decided? Emily asked.

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I don't believe decisions like these can be made in a single evening," Damian answered.

Emily nodded and said, "I agree."

No one dared to express their actual feelings.

“I am finding it so hard to make a decision,” Damian said as he approached the window.

"When we first met, you were still married," Damian continued.

"I know that," Emily said.

"I keep reminding myself that your marriage has already ended," Damian said.

Emily agreed that it was.

"However, according to the law, you were still married to Ryan," Damian said.

Emily's face tightened.

Emily declared, "You were aware of this when you asked me to your home."

"Yes," Damian stated.

"And you knew what I was going through," Emily continued.

Damian acknowledged, "Yes."

"So what changed? " Emily questioned.

Damian said, "You informed me that you are having my baby. That is what changed."

Emily gave him a long, hard stare.

"That made all the difference," Damian went on.

His voice was gentle.

"I'm attempting to fathom what that means," Damian stated.

Emily took a deep breath as she explained, "It means I am having a baby."

"I'm aware," Damian stated.

Emily insisted, "And I am being truthful with you."

"I understand that," Damian said.

Emily responded, "But you don't trust me."

Damian looked away.

"I believe you, but I am not convinced," Damian said.

"What is it that you're unsure about?" Emily pressed hard.

He remained still.

Emily's eyes were filled with rage as she said, "You're not convinced with the timing."

After some time, Damian nodded.

"Yes," Damian acknowledged.

That word stung deeply.

Emily took a step back.

"You could have just said that," Emily commented.

Damian admitted, "I was afraid you'd leave."

"You're the one who is putting distance between us," Emily said.

Damian admitted, "I see."

"So why? " Emily asked as he approached her.

Damian admitted, "Because I love you."

Emily stopped.

She wondered if she had heard him correctly for a second because he used such a kind voice.

Damian carried on.

"And that's why I'm afraid," Damian said.

Emily spoke more gently.

"Afraid of what?" Emily asked.

"Of believing everything is perfect when it isn't," Damian said.

She averted her sight.

"Perfection has never been a part of my life," Emily commented.

"I understand," Damian stated.

"Ryan tricked me so I decided to leave him. Then I met you. Neither of us anticipated what would come of us," Emily said.

"I understand," Damian said.

Emily admitted, "I never pictured myself having a baby this way."

"Neither do I," Damian said.

Emily stared closely at him and said, "But you still believe Ryan might be the baby's father."

Damian took a moment to think before responding.

The silence spoke volumes. It told her everything she needed to know.

Emily nodded slowly.

"I understand," Emily said.

"No, Emily," Damian said. "It's alright," Emily said.

"It's not," Damian replied.

She grabbed her bag to leave and he reached out for her hand and said, "Don't leave." He held her palm firmly and she told him to let go of her hand.

"Give me a reason to stay," Emily pleaded.

Damian loosened his grasp.

"I need time," he said in a low voice.

Emily freed her hand from his and walked out of the living room. He did not try to stop her. He let her walk out.

Ryan was still in his car which was still parked  outside.

He didn't move his gaze from the doorway.

His phone rang at that moment.

It was his lawyer and he answered right away.

Ryan said, "Please tell me you found something."

"I did," said his lawyer.

What is it? Ryan asked.

"Emily's inheritance has a link," his lawyer stated.

Ryan frowned.

"Did you find out where it really went?" asked Ryan.

His attorney replied, "Partly."

"Emily's trust was constantly transferred while Margaret was in command," his attorney said.

Ryan leaned in closer.

"Where did the money go?" Asked Ryan.

His lawyer responded, "We're currently tracking it." "However, it seems that the business that got the funds is linked to one of Victor Knight's companies."

Ryan's expression shifted.

"Give me all the information," Ryan ordered.

His lawyer promised, "I will."

Ryan hung up the phone.

He focused on Damian's penthouse once more.

His only concern was no longer Damian.

A problem related to Emily's legacy was much older.

And if Margaret's assertions were accurate, she had hidden much more than she had said.

He started the engine because he had to find out the truth.

But he had no idea that the answer would quickly put him in front of the person he had been avoiding.

Emily.