Chapter 5 – Cracks in the ice

It had been two weeks since Emma had really seen Liam. 

Yes… the morning after she'd gone to his office, the maid had handed her a small card with Liam’s phone number on it – and she hadn’t called. Over these past two weeks, he’d been distant. Not that they were ever close to begin with. He was out before she woke up, and when he came back, he’d lock himself in his room. Emma had gone upstairs once; his was the only room up there. 

The maid had left, and she was alone in the house… with nothing to do. Emma hadn’t heard from her parents since that last phone call, and she wouldn’t reach out to them ever again. Mostly, she's just worried about Sophia – she desperately needed to find a way to get a hold of her sister. 

Emma searched her wardrobe for something to wear… and picked one of the skirts she’d bought at the boutique two weeks ago. Then she chose an oversized sweater and a pair of boots. She got dressed and asked to be taken to Celestia. It was one of Sophia's favorite spots – she had the best chance of finding her sister there. They served fine dining and incredible desserts, and since Sophia was used to getting what she wanted, she even had a VIP membership there. 

When she got there, she was handed a menu.

“What can I get you, ma’am?” asked the waitress. 

“Just a mocktail, please… thank you,” Emma said. The waitress nodded and went to place her order. Emma glanced around – no sign of Sophia yet. maybe if she stayed a little longer, her sister would turn up. It was still only early afternoon. 

About five minutes later, the waitress returned with her drink. Emma hadn’t even noticed the time passing; she’d been watching the door ever since she walked in. 

Emma sipped her drink, keeping her eyes on the door – her sister should walk in any minute… then her phone buzzed with a notification. When she checked, it was already 6pm. She hadn’t realised she’d stayed that long. 

“This wasn’t supposed to happen…” 

That was Sophia– but her voice sounded so strained, so different from usual. The restaurant door swung open, and Sophia walked in with their father’s assistant; They seemed to be arguing. Why is Sophia with Ethan?

“It’s not my fault. The money’s gone missing, so they have to investigate,” Ethan said as he sat down in one of the chairs. Sophia simply ordered her usual and waved the waitress away. 

Emma couldn’t hear what she was saying clearly – her table was all the way at the far end of the restaurant. Just as she was about to lean in and move a little closer, her phone rang loudly, startling her. She glanced down. it was Liam. Of course he’d call now. really? 

“Hey…” Emma said softly.

 “Where are you?” Liam sounded angry.

 “Why do you care? I’ll be home soon,” Emma shot back. 

“Come home now. Don’t make me come and get you.” 

“Don’t push me around. I said I’ll be home soon. Bye.” Emma hung up. 

“Emma?” Sophia called out from her table. “Oh my gosh, Emma, what are you doing here? I thought your husband would  have locked you away or something,” Sophia said, walking over. Meanwhile, Ethan seemed to be trying to hide his face.

 “He’s not a monster — why would he do that?”

 “I don’t know… maybe you are, sometimes,” Sophia said. Typical. Always sharp. Always unkind. 

“I’ve been trying to reach you. And what are you doing with Dad’s assistant?” Emma asked.

 “Oh, um… well… Dad’s planning a party, so he put us in charge it.” 

“I see.” Emma felt a pang — she hadn’t even heard about any party. “But Dad hasn’t mentioned a thing to me.” 

“Maybe he just doesn’t want you there,” Sophia said, sounding almost amused at the idea. 

Emma heard a familiar voice at the counter and looked up — straight into Liam eyes. What is he doing here? He’d already spotted her and walked over, not even glancing at Sophia. 

“Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” 

Why is reacting like this? The last time someone spoke to me this way… it was Mom. She’d needed me to fix things for Sophia — some trouble with a girl at school, and I’d had to step in, like always, the big sister. 

“I told you I’d be home soon,” Emma said. “So I’m leaving now… Sophia, will you please call me back?” 

She didn’t answer. She just turned and walked out with Ethan.

 “How did you find me?” Emma asked Liam.  “Why are you even here?” 

 “That doesn’t matter. come home. it’s late.” 

“Why do you care? We’re practically strangers who share a house. I’ll find my own way home. just leave me alone.”

 Emma could have sworn she saw his jaw tighten. And before she knew it — she was over his shoulder. 

Emma pounded on his back, shouting, “Putme down!”

 Liam ignored her completely. He set her down in the back seat, then got in behind to the wheel and started driving.

 “I have a driver!”

 “He can find his own way home,” he said coldly. 

Emma sat in total silence all the way back to the house. 

When they arrived at the house, Liam opened the car door for her. She stepped out and walked straight inside. Just inside, she saw the maid and a broad, muscular man in a black suit standing near the sofa. Liam spoke from right behind her.

“Miss Claire will work here full-time, and Richard will be your bodyguard. He’ll accompany you everywhere,” He firmly. 

“Everywhere? Even to the bathroom?” Emma crossed her arms and said dryly, her voice thick with sarcasm. 

“You won’t be home alone anymore now that Claire’s here.” 

“What about Charles?” Emma asked — but Liam simply ignored her and motioned for the two people in the living room to leave.

 “ And from now on, whenever you leave the house, text me your location first.”

 “Why would I? You’re not my father,” Emma shot back. 

“You're under my roof — you're my responsibility,” Liam said.

 “I didn’t ask for this, did I? I just wanted my own life… but no. I always have to be the responsible big sister,” Emma said, her voice trembling, close to tears. Liam just stood there, watching her. “Look, I didn’t want any of this either.” 

“You’ve been avoiding me ever since I came to your office, and suddenly you care about my safety? What a wonderful husband you are,” Emma said with a sharp scoff. 

Liam sighed, looking like he had nothing left to say.

 “I was trying to reach my sister — that’s why I stayed out late,” Emma said.

 “Well, next time you need to see family, just let me know,” Liam replied, as if he hadn’t really heard her at all.

“I hate you.”

 “Welcome to the club,” he said.

“Liam, why are you so cold? Yes, this marriage was forced on both of us, but can’t we at least try to be civil?” 

Liam stepped closer. For a heartbeat, Emma’s breath caught. He looked deep into her eyes, and for one wild moment she thought he was going to kiss her — but he simply turned and walked away, heading upstairs. Only once he was gone did Emma realise she’d been holding her breath. 

It was 7:00 AM the next morning. Work didn’t start until 9:00. Liam was fast asleep when he heard a faint cry of distress downstairs — it sounded like the maid. He jolted awake, threw on his robe, and raced down the stairs. 

When he got there, he saw Claire kneeling over Emma, who was lying on the floor. 

“What happened? Why is she on the floor?” Liam demanded. 

“Sir, she was having breakfast… she was eating very quickly, and she choked on some potatoes. Now she can’t breathe,” Claire said, her voice trembling with panic.

 “Get the car ready right now — we’re taking her to the hospital!” Liam shouted. Claire was visibly terrified.

 “Sir… is she… is she gone?” she stammered, tears streaming down her face.

 “GO!” Liam roared. 

10 MINUTES LATER

Claire paced anxiously back and forth, while Liam sat in the hospital hallway, still in his pyjamas and robe. It had already been fifteen minutes since the doctors had taken Emma in to examine her. 

Liam saw the doctor coming out and immediately stood up. 

 “Doctor, is she alright?” Liam asked.

 “Yes, Mr. Smith… It's nothing serious. The choking incident triggered her asthma. I’ll prescribe an inhaler for you to collect from the pharmacy,” The doctor explained. 

“Asthma? Why am I only hearing about this now?” Liam asked, genuinely surprised. In all the time they’d been living together, he’d never seen her have an attack — why now? 

“It appears to be congenital, and according to her records, she doesn’t suffer from attacks very often,” the doctor confirmed. 

With that, the doctor walked away. Liam stood there, wondering why he hadn’t been told something so important. He peered through the doorway into the room and saw Emma sitting up in bed, while a nurse was removing the IV drip. 

Claire looked visibly relieved that Emma was okay — she was smiling warmly.

She looks so beautiful when she smiles, Liam found himself thinking. But then the worry came rushing back. Why wasn’t I told about her asthma?  What if I’d been at work when it happened? What if… I’d lost her? 

Liam felt a surge of anger. He was going to stop at her parents' company today — he needed answers.