LOGINEMILY “Mommy! Guess what happened today!” I smiled before I could stop myself. “What happened, sweetheart?” “Grandma took me to the park, and this girl pushed me.” My smile vanished. “She pushed you? Are you okay?” “Mhmm.” I heard a tiny sniffle. “I fell on my knees, but grandma took me to the clinic.” Relief loosened the knot in my chest. “Did the doctor take good care of you?” “Yep! And I got a Barbie plaster.” Her excitement returned in an instant. “It’s pink! Wait, look!” A brief silence followed. “Oh…” she murmured. “You can’t see.” I laughed softly. “No, baby. It’s not a video call, so I can’t.” “It’s really pretty, though. Grandma said I was so brave, and then she bought me chocolate ice cream because I cried.” “You cried?” “Just a little,” she said quickly. “Only because it really, really hurt.” I listened as she told me about her day— the new friends she’d made at school and at the park, the toys grandma had bought for her— and I co
COLE “Welcome back to New York, sir,” my driver said as Emily and I stepped off the plane. “Jack,” I said as I handed him my carry-on. “You came early.” He threw his head back in a laugh. “I did actually. I came yesterday to pick you up, but I was told your flight had been moved to this morning, so I booked a room nearby for the night.” “I see,” I said as I stepped onto the tarmac. “Good morning, ma’am,” he greeted Emily before taking her bag. We walked over to the black Range Rover parked by the curb, and once we were all settled in, Jack asked, “Are you going home or to the office, sir?” “I have a lot to catch up on, at the office. But you’ll be taking Ms. Carter to her place.” I caught the sharp snap of Emily’s head from my paripheral vision. “I have work too.” “No you don’t,” I shot back despite wanting to watch her complain through thousands of emails and paperwork, I knew she needed a familiar space to rest. “But—” “No buts, Ms. Cart
EMILY While on my way back to the hotel, my stomach growled, making me realize I hadn’t eaten throughout the day. So, as soon as I got into my hotel room, I ordered a burger and fries with extra ketchup. After everything that had crashed into me like a tidal wave, all I wanted to do was eat and sleep. But first, a steamy hot shower. I stepped out of the shower and stood in front of the mirror, letting my eyes trail down my naked body. They first landed on my right arm, which was beginning to turn a shade of purple from where Richard had grabbed me. I mentally noted to put some ointment on it before my gaze continued lower and settled on the scar below my belly. The scar was faint, but I knew exactly when it began and ended from memory. It wasn’t just a c-section scar. It was a mark that carried so much history—a reminder of why I had to become strong so I could finally spread my wings and fly free from the shadows of my past. “My sweet Aria,” I whispered with
EMILY Luckily for me, everyone began moving to their seats when someone with a microphone walked onto the stage, and I found that to be the perfect opportunity to squeeze into the crowd and get away from Mr. Richard. My relief didn’t last long because he found me and began advancing towards where I was seated. With shaky hands, I picked up my clutch from the table and placed it on the empty seat reserved for Cole. “Ms. Carter.” “Mr. Richard.” “You don’t want me sitting next to you?” I flashed him a tight smile. “I would have let you, sir, but the name card indicates that the seat is reserved for Mr. Calloway.” “Hmm…” he narrowed his eyes. “You seem to be running away from me, Ms. Carter, and I must say I am displeased about that.” Thank goodness you finally noticed, you perve, I thought, looking him up and down. As if he could hear my thoughts, he asked, “You’ve got something on your mind you’d love to voice out?” “No Mr. Richa…” I began, but my
EMILY The city looked different at night. From the floor-to-ceiling window, thousands of lights glittered across Palm Springs like stars scattered across the earth. Cars crawled through the streets below, their headlights weaving endless ribbons of white and red while the distant hum of music drifted up from somewhere outside. I tucked one leg beneath me and rested my forehead against the cool glass. Ten hours. That was how long I’d been waiting for someone from the front desk to knock on my door and tell me they’d found another room for Cole. They never did. I’d showered hours ago. My curls had long since dried, and my makeup was done. The dress I’d spent twenty minutes steaming hung neatly beside the wardrobe, waiting for the gala while my heels sat beneath it. Everything was ready. Everything except my mind. Maybe no one had checked out. Maybe they’d decided it would be easier if we shared. I wasn’t sure which possibility unsettled me more.
EMILY A faint knock filtered through my sleep, causing me to shift as I buried my face deeper into the warmth and familiar scent surrounding me. Knock. My eyes snapped open, and I jerked so abruptly that a firm arm circled tighter around my waist, stopping me before I could sit up. A gasp caught in my throat. For one disoriented second, I stared at the fogged-up windshield, my pulse thudding in my ears before last night came crashing back. The storm. The SUV. Cole. My panic attacks and the way he helped me through them. Slowly, I lowered my gaze. His forearm was draped possessively across my middle, his hand resting just above my hip while my back was pressed flush against his chest. His steady breaths fanned the nape of my neck, warm enough to send a shiver down my spine. I swallowed. Carefully, I slipped my fingers beneath his wrist and lifted. Nothing. His arm barely moved. I tugged a little harder, twisting my shoulders in an attempt to slide fre
EMILY “Have a seat,” he said as he clicked the door shut. The sound echoed through the office, making me flinch. I was still standing there when he moved past me like a lion in its territory. His perfectly tailored suit stretched across his broad frame as he settled into his chair. “I
EMILY ~Flashback to Six Years Ago~ “Hey, four eyes!” Troy, Cole’s best friend, called from behind, and laughter erupted from their group. Even Cole was laughing. “Please, Troy.” I said quietly, keeping my eyes down as I walked faster. “I’ve told you to stop calling me that.” But
EMILY ~NEW YORK~ ~One month later~ ~Monday~ I looked at myself for what felt like the millionth time in the mirror after ten different hairstyles and seven outfit changes. Finally, I was satisfied. My hair pulled into a tight bun, and my white long-sleeved blouse looked modest enoug
EMILY Four of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen sat confidently, their presence exuding money and power. Each of them was draped in expensive Armani and Prada suits, broad shoulders filling the seats like they owned the place. Is this heaven? I thought. If it is, someone please pinch m







