Emma's POV
It'd been two weeks since I'd gotten back home and recovered, but I was reliving a nightmare. I kept envisioning Sharon and Mrs. Hollen inside the room with me whenever I tried to sleep. Their images were plastered in my head and their words still replayed.
The swamp was another nightmare, too. How close I came to my death and the struggle and pain I endured trying to get out of it.
Now, I was no longer pregnant with Ethan's baby, and that just did a number on me. I was traumatized, and had been since the doctors told me the news when I awoke. My body had rejected the baby due to stress and the banging my body had taken at the hands of Mrs. Hollen and Sharon in the house, and in the van on my way to the swamp. They removed the fetus from inside me immediately so it wouldn't caused an infection.
I couldn't wrapped my mind around the fact that the baby wasn't inside me anymore, and I had to get through it by myself. Ethan coul
Emma's POVYou've got to be kidding me. This can't be happening. Is he cheating on me? When did this start? I asked myself as I looked at the panties disgracefully.I tapped my left foot impatiently as I waited for him to come out the shower. My arms were folded on my chest and there wasn't anymore niceness left in me."What's this?" I asked him as he came out of the shower wrapped in his towel with another one drying his hair.He gazed down to the floor where the underwear lay. "We're not having sex, Emma, so pick up your underwear," he said and moved over to his closet.My blood came to a boil and I threw a pillow after him. It bounced off of the back of his head and fell onto the floor, but a pillow couldn't inflict the pain I wanted to do to him."These aren't mine asshole! Who are you sleeping with?""That's not your business. Besides, I'm not in a mood for this, so don't push me." He put on boxer shorts and a vest.&nb
Ethan's POVI had a shitty day at the office. My company was always in the New York City big business race. Nonetheless, I always managed to stay ahead and on top of the game. I was that damn good. But for a business like mine to flourish and live on from generation to generation, I would have to expand internationally and gain other shareholders and partners. And I was informed that the deal we were hoping to land for months, which would help us to gain more shareholders globally, had been revoked. I could only get it on one condition, and that was if I had a child or was on the verge of becoming a father.I was a silver-spoon kid with a lot handed to me, but in business my grandmother assisted a lot to help me build my own empire, especially financially, and she always was great with advice. I looked up to her more than anyone else. She had given me a trust—several, in fact— but the last one, the one I needed to grow my business, came with a catch. I had to
Emma's POVI instructed the cab driver to drop me off at an apartment complex in the city. I still didn't know my way around New York and had to be wandering around like a mad woman, especially now that I was alone and now venerable to the open world. I couldn't hire security or buy camera systems like Ethan. But I was grateful he had placed ten thousand dollars in my personal savings account the day after my birthday; although I had told him not to and that I wasn't after his money, he insisted. Now, it came in handy along with the other monies I'd saved from being his maid.I arrived at a neat hotel building, about five miles away from the mansion. It was private and there were security guards on the compound."Hello, my name is Emma. I would like to rent an apartment. Are there any rooms available?" I asked a elder woman in the main office.She gazed up from her computer. "Hello, dear. Yes, we have rooms available. I'll need a proof of ID
Ethan's POVShe was gone. She just up and left. It's funny how relationships change overnight. One minute you're happy the next you're left all alone with sorrow in your soul.It was Saturday morning. I wasn't going into the office today because I'd promised my Nana I would spend the day with her at the golf course. I hadn't seen her since the birthday party and I was looking forward to some of her wisdom.After showering and getting dressed in denim jeans and a plain white T-shirt with white sneakers, I took my black SUV from the mansion's garage. It wasn't one of my favorite cars but it was a comfortable ride for my Nana and it was spacious enough for the golf clubs, picnic basket and cooler for drinks.It was sunny and bright as I drove down the street and took the first intersection to her mansion. It was much smaller than mine but it was suitable for her; she lived alone; my grandfather passed away three years ago. Her mansion had its s
Emma's POVI partied until midnight at Roger's. My body ached from the heat of dancing but I had never felt so carefree and wild before. I danced like there was no tomorrow and I drank like a professional. I guess I wanted to wash away the stress and pain Ethan had put me through. I wanted do something to get my mind off of him and forget about him.Although my head was pounding and my body was aching, I had to get on my feet and go find a job, so that was exactly what I did. I took a shower and washed my hair then changed into something decent, and had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fresh orange juice. I headed to where businesses were in abundance, keeping tabs of all the corners, streets and road signs so I wouldn't get lost. I had good recollection.I walked into a boutique after I saw "Help Wanted" on a flyer in its windows. It was more of a clothing store with affordable items for purchase but it was wonderfully kept and it had a welcoming feel
Ethan's POVHearing Emma's voice sent chills all over me again. She brought out the heat in me. I was missing having her near me— her beautiful bright brown eyes, soft hair, silky brown skin, full lips and soft calming voice, but with an edge to slice you in half whenever she got angry. My Emma."Hannah, I don't like this coffee. Remake this. I want it to be perfect this time," I said for the fifth time.I was in my home office, typing out the contents and organizing for my company's Autumn Gala in two weeks. It would be extraordinary; it always was. I hosted the event each year before winter to raise money for homeless shelters and children with cancer at the local hospitals and cancer treatment centers in America. The company raised millions each year."But, Mr. Hollen, I've made the coffee over five times already, and it's still not to your liking?""Hannah, if I don't like the taste of it, I won't drink it. I want a drinkable cup of coff
Emma's POV"Hello, dear. My grandson told me you'll be taking over," Roger's grandmother said once I opened the door. She strolled into my room and sat on the sofa."Um, yeah. I'll be starting on Monday. I hope that's alright with you," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. She had caught me off guard."Alright, dear. I'm happy. I can finally get some rest around here."I yawned and she looked at me."Oh, you're sleepy. I'll get out of your hair," she said then got on her feet."Mrs.—""Stones.""Mrs. Stones, I don't mean to come off rude or disrespectful, but I was just about to go lie down when you came over.""That's alright, dear. I'll see you around anyway. Have a good nap."I headed for the bedroom and fell into a nice, comfortable sleep.I woke up to a literal pounding on the door. I would be furious at whoever the hell it was; I didn't care if it was a police officer. T
Emma's POVIt had been two weeks and I hadn't heard from Ethan. He didn't called or text me or even bother to show up at my apartment. I couldn't help but wonder if I had pushed him away completely without knowing. I knew what I said to him was hurtful, but I did apologize in the end and I tell him how I really felt. Of course, I didn't want to lose him so soon, but something was telling me to stay away from him a while longer.I had agreed to Roger's asking me to attend an evening event with him. He had been asking for a week so I finally gave in and told him that I would accompany him as a friend. I elaborated on the term "friend". I knew he was attracted to me, but I wasn't about to complicate my life with two gorgeous men.Working as the receptionist at the complex was going well, so far. Roger had coached me on everything I was to know and I'd caught on pretty easily. I was a fast learner; that was one thing I admired about myself.I stepped out of