Chapter four “I’m not a prize “

The office fell into a suffocating silence.

“We’ve been searching for you for fifteen years.”

The words echoed in Emily’s ears.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

She stared at the two men as though they had suddenly started speaking another language.

Then…

She laughed.

Not because it was funny.

Because it was absurd.

“You know…”

She rubbed her temples.

“I skipped lunch today.”

“So maybe my brain isn’t working properly.”

She looked at Adrian.

Then at Dante.

“Would one of you mind explaining why two complete strangers keep talking like they’ve lost a child?”

Neither man answered.

Instead…

They looked at each other.

The silence between them was sharper than any knife.

Adrian adjusted the cuff of his suit.

“You frightened her.”

Dante folded his arms.

“You’ve been here longer.”

“And somehow you’ve explained less.”

Emily blinked.

“…Excuse me.”

Still nothing.

They continued staring at one another as if she wasn’t even in the room.

A vein pulsed on Emily’s forehead.

She took one step forward.

“Hello?”

No response.

Another step.

She planted both hands on Mrs. Martha’s desk with a loud slap.

“I’m still here!”

The two men finally turned toward her.

“Good,” Emily muttered.

“I was beginning to think I’d become invisible.”

Mrs. Martha pressed her lips together, desperately trying not to smile.

Only Emily could interrupt two of the most powerful men in the country like an annoyed teacher breaking up a classroom fight.

Emily drew in a deep breath.

“Let’s start with something simple.”

She pointed at Adrian.

“You.”

He straightened.

“Why were you looking for me?”

Before he could answer—

Dante cut in.

“Because you belong with us.”

Emily frowned.

“Us?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened.

“I told you not to rush this.”

“And I told you she deserves the truth.”

“The truth?”

Emily echoed.

“What truth?”

Again…

Silence.

Emily let out a slow breath.

She wasn’t stupid.

She knew when people were hiding something.

And whatever it was…

It was big.

Big enough to make Mrs. Martha cry.

Big enough for a billionaire to show up at an orphanage.

Big enough for a man who looked like he owned half the underworld to bring an army of bodyguards.

She suddenly felt very tired.

“I don’t know who you people are.”

She picked up her backpack.

“And honestly…”

“I don’t care.”

She slung it over one shoulder.

“I’m going to college tomorrow.”

“I have a part-time job tonight.”

“And I have an economics exam this week.”

She looked at both men.

“My life isn’t some mystery novel.”

“So unless one of you plans to explain all of this…”

“I’m leaving.”

She turned.

One step.

Two.

Three.

“Emily.”

Adrian’s voice stopped her.

She looked over her shoulder.

His expression had changed.

The calm mask he’d worn since she entered the room was beginning to crack.

For the first time…

She saw pain.

Real pain.

Not the kind people pretended to feel.

The kind that settled deep into a person’s bones.

“I know this is difficult.”

His voice was quiet.

“But please…”

“Give us one hour.”

“One hour is all I’m asking.”

Emily studied him carefully.

There was something in his eyes.

Not pity.

Not guilt.

Hope.

As if he was terrified she’d walk away.

Her heart wavered.

Just a little.

Before she could answer—

A bodyguard rushed into the office.

“Boss!”

Everyone turned.

The man’s face had gone pale.

“We’ve got a problem.”

Dante’s expression hardened instantly.

“What happened?”

The bodyguard swallowed.

“Our convoy…”

“…is under attack.”

The room froze.

Emily blinked.

“Wait…”

She looked from the frightened bodyguard to Dante.

Then to the window.

“…People actually attack your cars?”

Dante sighed.

“Unfortunately…”

“…it happens more often than you’d think.”

Outside…

A deafening explosion shook the orphanage windows.

The children screamed.

Glass rattled violently.

Mrs. Martha gasped.

Emily’s heart leapt into her throat.

For the first time that day…

She realized these men weren’t pretending.

Whoever they were…

Danger had followed them to her doorstep.