Chapter 4

EMMA

FEW WEEKS LATER 

I was in the kitchen cooking when I heard a knock on the door,I walked towards the door and opened it only to see Lisa.

“Don’t ask me, I resigned” I said, knowing she would ask me why I didn’t get ready for work.

Lisa froze, surprise etched across her face . “You can’t be serious, Emma. You resigned?”

“I already sent the email because I couldn’t face him.” I sank onto the couch, arms crossed.

Lisa groaned. “Why would you do that? This job was paying you well! You need the money!”

I exhaled. “I slept with my boss, Lisa. Do you know how humiliating it is to show up at work, knowing people might talk? Knowing he probably thinks I’m just some desperate woman who slept her way up?”

Lisa rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. If anything, Kian doesn’t look like a man who regrets that night. He’s literally trying to find you.”

I was about to speak when I heard Lisa’s phone vibrate, Lisa glanced at the screen, she hesitated for a while because it was an unknown number but the number kept calling.

“Pick up” I said.

Lisa bit her lip,Then, with a dramatic sigh, she swiped to answer and put the call on speaker.

“This is Kian Wilson. Am I speaking to Emma?”

Lisa cleared her throat. “No, this is her friend.”

There was a brief pause, then his voice came back, smooth and firm. “Where is she?”

“She’s not home,” Lisa replied, giving me a look.

Another pause. Then, calmly, “Send me her address.”

Lisa opened her mouth to decline, but Kian cut in, his tone sharper. “I’ll give you a million dollars if you do.”

Lisa’s eyes widened. “A million?”

I shot up from my seat, shaking my head furiously. “Lisa, don’t you dare—”

Lisa hesitated, gripping the phone like it was burning her hand. “Um—”

“Lisa,” I snapped.

She looked torn. “Emma, that’s a lot of money.”

“No.” My voice was firm. “Tell him no.”

Lisa let out a nervous breath. “Sorry, Mr. Wilson. Can’t help you.”

There was silence on the other end. Then, in a low, unreadable tone, Kian said, “Fine.”

The call disconnected.

Lisa flopped onto the bed, groaning. “I could be rich right now.”

“Forget it” I said.

“You’re insane if you don’t take that money.” Lisa shot back at me.

“I said no,dont” I said my voice barely above a whisper.

Lisa’s voice was a sharp whisper, her eyes wide as she clutched her phone. “One million dollars, Emma. Do you know what that kind of money could do for us? Do you know how much rent that money could pay? Our lives are going to change for the better with that money”

I crossed my arms, unmoved. “I’m not for sale.”

“No one is selling you, just your address,” Lisa said.

“I don’t want to get involved with him anymore” I said my voice laced with frustration.

Lisa groaned, pacing the tiny living room. “He’s clearly desperate. What if he just wants to apologize? Maybe he feels guilty.”

“Or maybe he wants to control me,” I shot back. “That’s what people like him do. They throw money around and expect the world to bend.”

Lisa huffed. “Well, if you don’t want it, at least let me take it. I could use a vacation.”

I threw a pillow at her. “Lisa.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “But what’s your plan? You quit your job, you refuse to talk to Kian, and now you’re magically employed again?” She waved at my phone. “Who even sent you that job offer? The one you were checking while I was on call with Kian.”

I frowned, staring at the message again. The sender was anonymous, but they knew my name, my situation, and the payment had already been deposited into my account.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Lisa narrowed her eyes. “And you’re just… going?”

I hesitated. It did sound suspicious, but right now, I needed the money. I needed a fresh start.

“I’ll check it out,” I said. “If it’s shady, I’ll leave.”

Lisa didn’t look convinced. “At least let me go with you.”

I smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

She groaned. “I swear, you have the worst luck with men and jobs.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

—

The next morning, I stepped out of the cab, staring up at the sleek glass building towering above me.

The address led me to one of the most prestigious office complexes in the city, it didn’t look like a scam.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.

A receptionist greeted me with a polished smile. “Miss Anderson?”

I nodded.

“Right this way.”

I followed her through the pristine hallways, my heels clicking against the marble floors. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power.

We stopped in front of a massive office.

“The boss is expecting you,” the receptionist said before stepping aside.

I stepped into the office, and the first thing I noticed was a beautiful woman sitting behind the desk.

“Hey, Emma,” she said smoothly.

I gave a polite smile and bowed slightly.

“Nice to meet you ma” I said my voice barely above a whisper.

She waved a hand. “No formalities, please. I’m Margaret.”

I nodded.

“You will work for me now, as my personal assistant,” she continued, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated. “How did you even get in touch with me?”

Margaret smiled. “Forget about that. The real thing is—you now have a job, isn’t that what matters? And have you gotten your pay?” She asked 

She wasn’t wrong.

I nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

“Good, you look beautiful I must say” she said.

I smiled. “Thank you ma’am, you look good too.”

She smiled. “Now,your first task is to get me some flowers. What’s the best flower to propose to a lady? Uhm—I need it very urgent”

I thought for a second. “Roses are classic, but peonies and tulips are also—”

“Roses. Get those,” Margaret cut in. “And a necklace. Something elegant, not too flashy. My son wants to propose to his fiancée, and since he’s completely clueless, I’m handling it.”

I nodded again.

Margaret gestured toward the door. “A car will take you. Be quick.”

I turned and left.

I sat in the back of the luxury car, the bouquet of red roses beside me, the velvet box in my lap. The necklace I’d chosen was simple, elegant—something I would’ve picked for myself.

My phone rang.

I glanced at the screen. Unknown number.

Frowning, I answered. “Hello?”

“Miss Anderson?”

The voice was familiar.

“This is Dr. Patel’s office. We received your test results.”

My stomach clenched. “And?”

There was a pause. Then—

“You’re pregnant.”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white.

Pregnant.

I barely heard the rest of what the doctor was saying before he ended the call. My mind spiraled.

This couldn’t be happening.

The car pulled to a stop.

I was at Margaret’s mansion.

Perfect timing.

The house was massive—gated entrance, endless driveway, fountains that probably cost more than my entire life savings.

I stepped inside, holding the flowers and gift bag with stiff fingers.

The grand living room was buzzing with staff, but Margaret sat calmly in an armchair, sipping tea like a queen on her throne.

Across from her, a man and a woman sat with their backs to me.

Margaret looked up. “Ah, here she is.”

I walked forward, forcing my face into a neutral expression.

Margaret gestured toward the man in the chair. “Give him the flowers and ring, he has to propose to her right in front of me.”

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, holding out the flowers and the gift bag.

The man turned.

I froze.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Kian.

Sitting there, staring at me. The man I slept with. The man I just found out I was pregnant for.

Margaret smiled, completely oblivious. “Emma, meet my son, Kian.”

Silence.

The world blurred at the edges as I locked eyes with Kian. My pulse thundered. His expression was unreadable—dark eyes scanning my face.

Margaret sighed dramatically. “Well? Give him the flowers, dear.”

I swallowed hard and stepped forward, my hands stiff as I handed the bouquet and the gift bag to Kian.

Our fingers brushed.

I yanked mine back like I’d been burned.

Margaret chuckled. “No need to be shy, dear. Kian, go on. Propose.”

My breath caught.

Margaret leaned forward expectantly. “Go on, son. We don’t have all day.”

Kian’s fingers curled around the ring box, but he didn’t open it. He didn’t even look at the woman beside him. His eyes were still on me.

I took a shaky step back. “I—I should go.”

Margaret waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense. Stay and watch. You helped pick the ring, didn’t you?”

I nodded stiffly, my stomach twisting.

Kian suddenly stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

Margaret’s smile faltered. “Kian?”

But he wasn’t looking at her.

His eyes were on me.

“How did you get here?” Kian asked me.

“I hired her,” Margaret said.

“You did this on purpose,” Kian snarled at her.

Margaret smirked,“She needs to know her place.”

Kian’s jaw clenched so tightly I thought he might snap. His hands curled into fists at his sides, his entire body vibrating with barely contained rage.

“She needs to know her place?” he repeated, his voice dangerously low.

Margaret lifted her chin, unfazed. “Yes, Kian. She’s a nobody. She was your employee—nothing more. But she clearly doesn’t understand boundaries, so I decided to remind her.”

Kian scoffed.

“Don’t keep your mother waiting, do it now” Margaret said.