5

Emma woke up alone.

For a moment, she didn't know where she was. The room was unfamiliar, the sheets were soft and expensive, and the faint light filtering through the curtains was nothing like the harsh morning sun of her apartment.

Then she remembered.

Michael. The cheating. The motorcycle bar. Ethan. The most incredible night of her life.

She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest, and looked around. There was a note on the nightstand, written on expensive stationary.

Had to handle something at work. Stay as long as you want. I'll be back tonight.

- E

Emma smiled, hugging the note to her chest.

For the first time in years, she felt... free. Light. Like the weight of her marriage had been lifted from her shoulders.

She got up, wrapping a sheet around herself, and wandered over to the window. The view was incredible—the city sprawling out below her, glittering in the morning light.

She was starting over.

It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Her phone—which Ethan must have retrieved from somewhere—was on the dresser. Emma picked it up and saw she had fifteen missed calls.

All from Michael.

And one from her mother.

Emma's heart raced as she listened to the voicemail.

"Emma, it's your mother. I have something important to tell you. Call me back as soon as you can. Please, sweetheart. It's urgent."

Something cold slithered down Emma's spine. Her mother never called. Not unless something was very, very wrong.

She dialed back immediately.

"Emma!" her mother's voice crackled through the phone. "Thank god. I've been trying to reach you all night."

"What's wrong, Mom? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Better than fine, actually." There was a pause, then a breathless laugh. "I'm married."

Emma blinked. "What?"

"I got married, Emma. Last night. It was a small ceremony—just a few close friends. I've found someone who makes me happy. Someone I've loved for a very long time."

"Wait," Emma said, her mind reeling. "You got married. To who? And why didn't you tell me?"

"It was sudden," her mother admitted. "And I wanted to make sure it was the right decision before I said anything. But he's wonderful, Emma. He's my first love. We reconnected a few months ago, and... well, everything just fell into place."

Emma struggled to process this. "So you're married. To a man you've been dating for... months?"

"I know it sounds crazy," her mother said. "But I've never been more sure of anything. And I want you to meet him. I want you to come live with us."

"Live with you?"

"Just until you get on your feet. I know things have been hard with Michael—don't try to deny it, I'm your mother, I know when you're unhappy—and I want to take care of you for a change."

Emma thought about her empty apartment. The life she'd just left. The possibility of a fresh start.

"Okay," she said slowly. "Okay, Mom. I'll come."

Her mother squealed with joy. "Wonderful! I'll send a car for you. You can stay as long as you need, sweetheart. We have more than enough room."

"Where do you live?"

"Carter Estate," her mother said. "It's a big house outside the city. Beautiful property. You're going to love it."

The name rang a bell, but Emma couldn't place it. She was too exhausted to think clearly.

"I'll see you soon," she said. "I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Emma. Everything is going to be okay."

The Carter Estate was massive.

Emma stared up at the mansion, her jaw dropping. It was a sprawling estate with manicured lawns, a stone fountain, and more windows than she could count.

"This is where you live now?" she asked her mother, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Isn't it beautiful?" her mother gushed. "Damian bought it ten years ago. He's been waiting for the right woman to share it with."

"Damian?"

"Your new stepfather. Oh, Emma, you're going to love him. He's so kind and generous and—"

"Mom." Emma grabbed her mother's arm. "You married a man named Damian Carter? The CEO of Carter Industries?"

"Yes." Her mother's eyes sparkled. "He's the one. My first love. We were young and foolish once, but now..."

Emma felt something cold settle in her stomach. Carter. Ethan Carter.

There was no way. It couldn't be the same person.

"Come inside," her mother said, pulling her toward the front door. "Everyone's dying to meet you."

The inside of the mansion was even more impressive than the outside. Marble floors, vaulted ceilings, a chandelier that probably cost more than Emma's yearly salary.

"Olivia, you're back!" A tall, distinguished man with salt-and-pepper hair strode across the foyer, pulling Emma's mother into a warm embrace. "And this must be your beautiful daughter."

"Emma, this is Damian," her mother said, beaming.

Damian turned to Emma, his eyes appraising. "I've heard so much about you. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you," Emma managed. "It's... it's beautiful here."

"We hope you'll be comfortable. We have plenty of room, and you're welcome to stay as long as you need." He glanced around. "Speaking of which, the boys should be here for dinner tonight. You'll get to meet everyone properly."

"Boys?" Emma echoed.

"Ethan and Adrian," Damian said. "And Luca, if he decides to show up."

Ethan.

The world tilted on its axis.

"Your sons?" Emma forced out.

"Step-sons, technically," Damian said. "But I love them as if they were my own. Ethan's the eldest—a bit serious, but a good man. Adrian is the charmer. And Luca... well, Luca marches to his own beat."

Emma's head was spinning. Ethan Carter. The man she'd spent the night with was her stepbrother.

"Oh god," she breathed.

"Are you okay?" her mother asked, concerned. "You look pale."

"I just..." Emma swallowed hard. "I think I need to lie down."

"Of course." Her mother took her arm. "I'll show you to your room. You rest, and I'll have someone bring you something to eat."

But Emma wasn't listening.

All she could think about was Ethan. His hands on her body. His mouth on her skin. The way he'd made her feel beautiful and desired.

And now she was going to have to face him across the dinner table.