Share

Chapter 26; Just a game

Author: E.J kate
last update publish date: 2026-09-12 20:18:32
EMMA

Life had been good.

Better than good. For the first time in longer than I could remember I had woken up most mornings with something that felt like excitement instead of dread. I was in love with all of them, in different ways that somehow fit together and the words had finally stopped sticking in my throat. I had practiced them in the mirror that morning over and over again. I was going to say it tonight.

Rhys had sent a message to the group chat asking everyone to meet at the penthouse. N
E.J kate

So it was all a game. Poor Emma

| 10
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter
Comments (3)
goodnovel comment avatar
Elizabeth Adams
why do the other men have to give her up. does that mean they get Victoria too. what a bunch of pussy whipped men can't stand on their own feet.
goodnovel comment avatar
Rachel Russell
My thoughts exactly!
goodnovel comment avatar
Heather
Understand that he can’t be with her, but why can’t no one else?
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Latest chapter

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 106: Smoke and skin

    EMMAI had been awake since the noise.It started as a low rush of movement in the hallway boots, a door and voices. . I stepped out of my room in time to see Rhys and Cade heading for the elevator. Rhys’s face was set in that hard, closed way that meant something had already gone wrong. Cade glanced back once, gave me a look that said not now, and then the doors shut on both of them.I stood there in the dark hallway with my heart already climbing into my throat and no one left to ask.Worry kept me on the sofa after that. I wrapped myself in a robe, pulled my knees up, and stared at the elevator like staring would make it open faster. Every scenario my mind offered was worse than the last. Theo came down sometime near dawn. He did not ask why I was still sitting there. He just made coffee, set a mug beside me, and stayed in the chair across from me in silence. The company helped. The fear did not leave.When the elevator finally chimed again, the sound went through me like a current

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 105: First fire

    RHYS The call came at 1:17 a.m.I was in the office reviewing Voss’s requested figures when my secondary line lit up with the warehouse foreman’s number. I answered on the second ring.“Talk.”For a moment, there was only static. Then came a burst of gunfire, followed by a loud crash.“We’re under attack!” His voice was strained, almost swallowed by the noise behind him. “Multiple men. Explosives. They’re not here to steal anything, Rhys. They’re burning the place down. We have wounded men, and I need…”The line went dead.I was already on my feet.Anger hit first. Cold, immediate anger that left no room for panic. That warehouse held six months of independent product and the last clean route contracts I’d managed to secure without my father’s name.Someone had decided I wasn’t allowed to rebuild.I grabbed the gun from my desk drawer, checked the magazine, and headed for the door.I nearly collided with Cade in the hallway. One look at my face and the weapon in my hand told him enou

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 104: lost name

    RHYS The gala looked exactly as it had every other year.Crystal chandeliers, polished marble, expensive suits, and people who measured a man’s worth by the family he came from.I attended the gala every year, sometimes with my father other times without him. It was all a means to network, meet new people and pretend like we all loved each other. This year, I was here again. The only difference was that this year, I had arrived without my father’s name protecting me and I felt its effect almost immediately.The host greeted me with a smile that disappeared as soon as he turned away. Conversations quieted when I approached, and people who had once rushed to shake my hand suddenly found someone more important to speak to.I was no longer Richard’s heir.To them, that made me unworthy to be in their midst.I took a drink from a passing waiter and continued through the room, refusing to let their opinions show on my face.A woman from the logistics consortium approached me, wearing the

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 103: Being civil

    EMMA At a point during the week, I realised I was tired. Tired of avoiding Rhys, tired of pretending I didn’t worry about him or that my heart didn’t ache for him. It wasn’t forgiveness, but at least I could be civil.So, at breakfast, I sat in my usual seat.Rhys was already there. He looked up when I walked in, and for a second, I thought he was going to say something. Instead, he lowered his eyes to his plate.I poured myself some coffee and sat down.“Is that coffee still hot?” he asked after a while.I glanced at his cup. “You just poured it.”“Oh.”“Unless you’ve forgotten how coffee works.”Cade snorted into his drink.“She’s got you there,” Theo said.Rhys let out a quiet laugh, but it died almost immediately. He looked at me, as if he wasn’t sure whether I was making fun of him or offering him something. I just pretended not to notice.Conversation continued again with Cade teasing Rhys about something I wants really sure of. And for a few minutes, it almost felt normal. A

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 102: The first blow

    RHYS The conference room was on the forty-second floor of a glass tower, a place I had visited countless times over the years.I arrived five minutes early and took my usual seat, facing the door.Seven men sat around the long table. Four had worked with my family for years. Two had joined through the coastal project, and the last, Harrow, had always been cautious about doing business with anyone who lacked the backing of a powerful name.Judging by their expressions, I already knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant meeting.We were supposed to discuss project timelines and funding. Instead, Harrow opened his folder before everyone had even finished their coffee.“I’ll be direct, Rhys. Several of us are concerned about the future of this project now that your father’s support is gone.”I leaned back slightly. “The project hasn’t changed. We have the same workers, the same plans, and the same deadlines we agreed on months ago.”“But your financial backing has changed,” he replied. “

  • My stepbrother and his friends want me    Chapter 101: The morning after

    EMMA I woke up with the same words repeating in my head.Nothing changes.The truth was out now, and while I understood why Rhys had done what he did, understanding him didn’t mean I was ready to forgive him. His tears, his confession, and the things he had sacrificed couldn’t erase the months of pain he had caused me.I could understand his reasons and still be angry. I could know he had suffered too and still remember what he had put me through.So I got dressed, went downstairs, and reminded myself that nothing had changed between us.All three of them were in the kitchen when I got there. Cade stood at the stove, concentrating on breakfast. Theo sat at the island with his coffee, scrolling through his tablet, while Rhys occupied the stool at the far end, staring into his untouched cup.He didn’t look up when I walked in.“Morning,” Cade greeted me, his voice easy.“Morning.”Theo glanced up and smiled faintly before returning to his screen. I took the seat farthest from Rhys, a

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status