LOGINKnoxThe soft sound of keys tapping against my laptop fills the space with control. It should help me focus but it does not. The numbers on the screen blur together, and the words I type make no sense even to me.I stop, my fingers hover over the keyboard before I slowly pull my hands back. I lean into my chair and let out a long breath, rubbing my temple.Emma, her name whispers in my ears. The memory comes back so clearly, it feels like it just happened minutes ago. The way she stood in front of my desk, denying it with slightly trembling hands. The way she tried to keep her voice steady as she spoke.Then her resignation came yesterday following my directive for her to resig..I swallow hard. I did that to her, I sent her away.The cold way I spoke to her, the distance I forced between us. The look in her eyes when she realized I was no longer willing to listen.Guilt settles deep in my chest.I glance at my laptop again but I cannot bring myself to continue working. I close it half
EmmaEverything smells like antiseptic, it's the first thing that hits me before I even open my eyes. That clean scent that fills the hospital and makes me more tired.My head feels heavy, my body feels like it does not belong to me. There is a dull ache behind my eyes and my limbs are weak, like I have not used them in days.I slowly open my eyes, the light above me is too bright. I blink several times, trying to adjust. The ceiling comes into focus first, white and unfamiliar.My heart starts to beat faster. Where am I?I turn my head slightly, and that is when I see her.“Emma!”Iva’s voice is filled with relief as she rushes to my side. Her face looks tired but her eyes soften the moment she sees me awake.“You’re awake. Oh my God, you scared me.”I frown, my voice coming out weak and dry. “Iva… what… what am I doing here?”My throat burns as I speak, even forming words feels like work.She quickly reaches for a glass of water and helps me sit up a little. “Slowly,” she says gently
Emma’s POV“Are you sure about what you’re saying?” Iva asks, her voice thick with shock.I sit motionless on the couch, exactly how I collapsed when I got home. My hands are cold, my chest tight, like something heavy is pressing down on me. I went to HR expecting something minor, just a bit of background information, nothing serious. But what she told me, it destroyed everything I thought I knew.“Yes,” I whisper, my voice barely steady as tears slide down my face. “She said my father has been in prison for over twenty years for fraud. Twenty years, Iva… and my mother never told me.”“Oh my God,” Iva breathes, her hand flying to her mouth. “Wait, he’s been in prison this whole time? Emma…” She shakes her head slowly, disbelief written all over her face. “I have to say this, your mother is horrible for hiding something like that from you.”Her words strike something deep inside me, something raw and burning.My fingers curl tightly into fists in my lap. My whole body starts to tremble
Emma The cursor points on the screen, my fingers linger above the keyboard for a moment longer than they need to. This is it, every file, every leftover detail from my old role, every document Knox asked for, it’s all attached. I press send with one final tap, watching as the progress bar flickers briefly before disappearing.A long, shaky breath escapes me, as if it’s carrying months of tension out with it. My lungs finally feel like they can fully expand again. Without thinking, I snap the laptop shut. There’s nothing left for me here. I lean back, staring blankly at the wall. Next month, everything changes. I’ve already made up my mind, I’ll start applying for jobs but not around here. I’m looking farther away, in cities where I'll have nothing to do with Knox or my mother.I need distance, somewhere I won’t accidentally spot Knox’s car or dread hearing my mother’s voice on the phone or seeing her shadow at my door. I want a fresh start, a life where no one knows me.I exhale
EmmaI step aside quickly, making sure not to bump into her. I’d been moving so fast, so caught up in my own thoughts, that I hadn’t even noticed HR standing right there by the door until it was almost too late.The photos are clenched tightly in my hand, the edges pressing into my palm as she smiles at me. But I don’t trust it, not even a little. She must have heard something. Maybe not everything… but enough.“Oh, Miss Emma, I’m so sorry for being in your way.”I force myself to calm my breathing, to smooth out the tension in my face. I give a small shake of my head and return her smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “It’s nothing. I’m just glad I didn’t knock you over. That would’ve been worse.”For a moment, we just stand there, looking at each other in a silence that stretches a little too long. Then she suddenly gasps, as if remembering something important.“I should head inside to speak with your mother. That’s actually what I was about to do before we almost ran into
Emma I sit at my desk, staring at the picture of my father, the one I found on Iva’s laptop.My fingers hover over the edge of the desk, unmoving. My eyes stay fixed on the image like if I look away, it might disappear and take the truth with it. The man in the picture looks normal, kind, even. Not like the chaos my life has become.Across the room, Iva is busy typing away, the steady clatter of her keyboard filling the silence. She looks calm, focused, like everything in her world still makes sense.Unlike mine.I’m just sitting here, frozen, doing nothing while my thoughts spiral out of control.Knox already made it clear, I’m no longer his executive assistant. Just like that, I’m out. My resignation letter sits on my laptop, typed, formatted, and ready. All that’s left is to hand it over when he gets back from his board meeting.I push my chair back slowly and stand, my legs almost hesitating, like they’re unsure where to take me. Still, I force myself toward the printer.My fin
EmmaThank the heavens I had cleared up the mess in the living room after I left Knox's room.Every thing was going smoothly, well, I'm pretending it is. Until I heard his voice. The man I just had explosive sex with, Knox.I was so embarrassed, no, tgsts not the word to use. I was drenched in sham
KnoxAs soon as they all disperse, I make a beeline for Emma, she appears to be too comfortable with him.The moment she see me, Emma beam a smile. “Rick, meet my dad.” She moves close to me and I hook my arm around hers.Clenching my jaw so hard, I fix him a hard stare, nodding. Rick keeps smiling
KnoxMy breath catches in my throat. Her question renders me speechless. For a second, I freeze.“Daddy?”I clear my throat, her eyes on me. Its not too late, I can end this now before it blows out of proportion.“Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?”“What happens if I get pregnant?
Emma I watch her squirm beneath the intense heat of my stare. I tuck my hands into my pocket.A chuckle rolls out of my lips. “How does it feel to be outplayed in your own game?” I tilt my head at the side, analyzing every step she makes.Panic flashes in her eyes and she swallows hard, her throat







