Chapter 6 Tough Girl Turns Tomato

"All of you, stop right now!" I shouted. "If he wants to die, let him die. Respect his goddamn wishes. People who use death to threaten others deserve to die anyway."

The medical team stared at me in shock. A tall doctor with sandy hair stepped forward.

"Emma?" Neil Carter's voice was calm but firm. "We've already stabilized him. He's going to be fine."

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Maybe don't kick doors and threaten patients in the ER, huh? There are witnesses." He nodded subtly toward the nurses who were watching us with wide eyes.

I shrugged. "Dramatic entrances are my specialty."

On the bed, David was awake, his eyes finding mine. His face lit up with pathetic hope as he reached out a hand toward me.

"Emma," he croaked, "I knew you'd come. I knew you still cared."

I stared at him, feeling nothing but cold disgust. "I didn't come to check on you, David. I came to make something crystal clear." I stepped closer to his bed, making sure he could see the ice in my eyes. "I have a husband now. We're getting married. So whatever sick fantasy you have about us getting back together? Kill it."

David's face crumpled. "But Emma—"

"I'm not finished," I cut him off. "If you ever try to contact me again, your family's business won't survive another day in New York. You, Caitlin, and all your pathetic friends better cross the street if you see me coming. Because if I have to look at your face again, I'll rearrange it. Got it?"

I turned to leave, but David's desperate voice stopped me.

"Emma, please! It was all Caitlin's fault—she seduced me! I never loved her. What I feel for you is real. Just give me one more chance, baby, please."

I slowly turned back, my stomach churning with revulsion. "You know what? Hearing you talk actually makes me want to throw up. Say another word and I'll rip your fucking mouth off."

David snapped his mouth shut, finally getting the message. I walked out of the ER without looking back, aware of Alexander's presence right behind me.

In the hallway, Caitlin was pacing anxiously. She rushed over to Neil as soon as he emerged from the ER.

"Is he okay? Please tell me he's going to be alright."

Neil nodded. "He's stable now. The pills didn't do as much damage as they could have."

"Thank God," Caitlin breathed, relief washing over her face.

"If you're deaf, maybe get your ears checked," I remarked coldly. "Your boyfriend just told me you 'seduced him' and that he 'never loved you.' Or better yet, see a therapist. You'll need one to deal with your pathetic obsession with a guy who clearly doesn't want you."

Caitlin's face contorted with anger, but before she could respond, Neil stepped between us.

"Emma, a word in my office?" He glanced at Alexander. "Your friend can come too."

I followed Neil down the corridor, Alexander right beside me. Once inside his cluttered office, Neil shut the door and turned to us.

Neil looked at Alexander. "I'm Neil Carter, Emma's friend. And you are...?"

"Alexander Sterling," I answered before he could. "My boyfriend."

Neil's eyebrows shot up. "Well, well. You've actually upgraded your taste in men. Congratulations."

I raised my hand threateningly. "I will punch you, doctor or not."

Neil laughed and reached behind his desk, pulling out a small leather bag. "Here's what you asked for. Sorry I haven't had time to drop it off."

"Too busy falling in love to maintain friendships, huh?" I teased, taking the bag.

"We all struggle to balance relationships, work, and friends. And you know how crazy the ER gets."

Before I could respond, Neil's pager went off. He checked it and grimaced. "Duty calls. Car accident victims coming in." He headed for the door, then paused to look at Alexander. "She's a handful, but worth it. Good luck."

With that, he was gone, leaving us alone in his office.

"Let's get out of here," I said, tucking the bag into my purse.

Outside the hospital, Alexander finally asked the question I'd been expecting.

"So, who exactly is David?"

I sighed, leaning against the side of his car. "My classmate. We dated for a year." I kicked at a pebble on the ground. "Neil warned me not to get involved with him. Said David was only after the North family money and status."

"Neil seems like a good friend," Alexander observed.

"He is. But David was so attentive and sweet at first. I didn't listen." I looked up at Alexander. "Two months ago, I caught him fucking Caitlin in a bar bathroom. I beat the shit out of him and walked away."

Alexander's expression remained neutral, but his eyes hardened slightly.

"Look," I continued, "I brought you here today because I wanted you to know about this upfront. I hate having to explain my past later."

Alexander's lips curved into a small smile as he reached out and gently ruffled my hair. "Understood."

The unexpected tenderness of his gesture caught me off guard. My heart did a weird little flip. Being treated so gently by a ridiculously handsome man was... disorienting. I tried to step forward but misjudged the distance and walked straight into his chest.

"Based on that reaction," Alexander murmured, amusement in his voice, "I'm inclined to believe you really did only hold hands with that guy."

My face heated up, and I could feel my ears turning red. "Shut up," I muttered.

Embarrassed and annoyed, I punched his chest—hard—before walking to the car and getting in. Alexander rubbed the spot, his smile never fading as he joined me and started the engine.

Twenty minutes later, we were standing in front of City Hall. I froze at the entrance, suddenly overwhelmed by what we were about to do.

"Getting cold feet?" Alexander asked quietly.

I straightened my spine. "I've never been afraid of anything in my life."

"Then let's go in."

I didn't move. "Why do you want to marry me, Mr. Sterling? Really."

He considered me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Let's be honest—we can't claim this is about love." He leaned against the stone railing. "I like your character and temperament. I need someone like you by my side."

His directness was oddly refreshing. "And what do I get out of this arrangement?"

"A husband who treats you well, who has the means and ability to protect you, and who won't sleep around." He shrugged. "Is that not enough?"

I studied his face, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, I nodded decisively and walked toward the entrance.

Alexander held out his hand. "Once we go through those doors, you might want to stop calling me 'Mr. Sterling.'"

I laughed and swatted his hand away, walking ahead of him into the building.

Thirty minutes later, we emerged with marriage certificates in hand. I kept flipping through the pages, still somewhat in disbelief. I had actually gotten married. To a man I'd met only twice. A man whose personality, likes, dislikes, and values were completely unknown to me.

Alexander watched me with amused eyes. "Mrs. Sterling, shall we get in the car?"

The new title sent a strange shiver down my spine. "Where are we going?"

"Home," he said simply.