LOGINIva sits with me a little longer and tries to cheer me up. “If digging through those old records doesn’t turn up anything, I’ll hire a private investigator to help find your biological father.”“No,” I snap, shaking my head. “I don’t want to bother you with all my problems. And besides, that kind of thing costs a lot of money. I can’t let you do that.”Iva smiles softly. “I know. But I'm willing to help.I sit there for a while, staring at my hands, thinking. Then I look up at her. “Why are you helping me so much? You barely even know me. I mean… why do you care this much?”She smiles again, but this time there’s something sad in her eyes. “You remind me so much of my younger sister. It’s funny, she had the same name as you. Emma.”I feel a small smile tug at my lips. My heart feels a bit warmer. “I’d like to meet her one day. She sounds nice if she’s anything like you.”Suddenly Iva looks away. Her face changes completely. The smile fades and she looks really sad.“Oh no! Did I say s
EmmaHe reaches for my hand again. I pull it back before I can even think about it. That actually hurts, like a pain deep inside my chest that will not go away. Every part of me wants to fall into him to disappear where it feels safe and warm.I cannot do that anymore. Not after everything that has happened."So that is it then?" he says, his voice rough with disappointment at first then it quickly changes to something angrier. "You are seriously not going to change your mind?"I cannot even look at him. If I make eye contact with him for one second I will completely lose it. So I stare at things instead. His laptop, the edge of the desk, the floor. Anything but his face."Do not make this harder," I say. My voice is tiny and weak, barely loud enough for him to hear.He steps closer, his voice dropping lower. "Then let us fight for this Emma. Come on. You are really going to throw it all? All those nights, every promise, every time I held you and swore I would never let anything hurt
EmmaThe day drags on, and I do my best to focus on the work in front of me, pushing everything else out of my mind. The sound of typing and the soft murmur of office noise all serve as a distraction. I need to stay busy, need to bury myself in something just to keep from succumbing to the mess inside my head.I’ve just finished replying to a string of emails when the click of heels echoes through the office. The sound grows louder, and before I can fully register what’s happening, my mother is walking towards my desk. I freeze, my heart thudding loudly in my chest.Then she walks past my desk without so much as a glance and heads straight to Iva’s desk. I watch, still sitting frozen in my chair, as my mother drops her laptop in front of Iva with a sharp, irritated movement. My heart sinks as I see the tension on Iva’s face.“What is this nonsense?” my mother snaps, her voice icy. “You were supposed to get the details of every lead you found. Where are they?”Iva looks up from her
The moonlight slips through the thin curtains. I toss and turn, restless, the silk sheets tangling around my legs like a trap, refusing to offer me even the smallest comfort. It’s as if the more I try to find a place of peace, the further it slips away from me.Every time I close my eyes, I see the confrontation with my mother. Her words echo in my head, slicing through the quiet of my thoughts.Disowned. The word hangs in the air like a curse, a final severing of the bond I had foolishly hoped still existed between us. I had always known it, deep down, even when I was her daughter only in name. Her rejection isn’t the worst part, though. It’s the realization that she never meant well for me.I roll onto my left side, the cool sheets sliding beneath me as I try to steady my breathing. But no matter how hard I try, the image of Knox fills my mind, and a fresh wave of pain grips my chest. He was the only one who ever really saw me for who I am. The only person who offered me somethin
KnoxI watch the sweat bead up on his forehead, his hands twitching nervously. The recording of his voice still lingers in the air. He knows what’s coming. His face, once full of pride and ambition, is now pale and lined with fear. His eyes are wide with guilt, and I can almost taste the desperation in his voice when he speaks."Knox, please," Mr. Carter pleads, his voice breaking as he looks at me, his fear palpable. "I’ll do anything. Please, don’t let that recording get out. It’ll ruin me. Everything I’ve worked for... it’ll all be over."A chuckle slips from my lips, but it’s dry, lacking any warmth. I lean back in my chair, watching him squirm. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Carter? Anything?”His eyes widen even further, and he nods quickly, desperation filling his words. “Anything. Just name it. Please.”I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I reach into my briefcase, the click of the metal locks echoing through the room like a gunshot. I pull out a thick stack of legal document
KnoxI step out of the car into the cool night air, the darkness wrapping around me.The chaos of the day still clings to me, but it’s the urgency of what’s to come that truly grips me. I’ve spent the whole day turning over every detail, trying to plan the best way to tackle the looming danger Gina, my soon-to-be ex-wife, has brought into my life. Everything I’ve worked for is at risk, and I have to face it now. There’s no more running from it.I walk down the quiet street, my steps steady but heavy with determination. The mansion ahead looms large, its lights glowing across the perfectly trimmed lawn. As I get closer, my mind sharpens, and the anger simmering beneath the surface intensifies. I’ve been here before, this house, these walls, but tonight, it feels different.Reaching the front door, I lift my hand and knock. The sound breaks the silence. The door opens almost immediately, and Mrs. Carter greets me with a warm smile, her expression friendly and inviting."Hello, Mrs. C
KnoxThe cup of coffee remains untouched on the table. I was so busy that I did not even spare it a glance.That evening, I get my things ready. It's been a hectic day at work.Attending meetings to keep up with the new trends and trying to get the best campaign for our products.I remember Gina gl
Knox As I step out from the bathroom, my phone begin to buzz. With steady steps, I walk to the bed and grab my phone.An unknown number.A tight frown crosses my face and I drop the phone on the bed. I take off a towel hanging around my neck and begin to dry my wet hair dripping with water.The c
EmmaStanding in his office, his cold gaze makes a shiver run down my spin. My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth, making it hard to utter a word in defense.“Now you're not talking?” he asks in a rough tone. “It seems you don't understand why you're here. You think you can just waltz in when
KnoxMonday morning. The elevator doors chimes open, and I stormed out, my jaw clenches. Fury already pulsing through my veins.At the lobby, the moment some of my employees sights my presence, a hush silence fell over them.I walk in slowly, in measured steps, with a tight scowl on my face.Each o







