Mag-log inThey stayed like that for a long moment, both breathing hard, hearts pounding against each other, bodies cooling.Finally, Daniel rolled to the side, pulled Emma with him so she was tucked against his chest. His hand traced lazy patterns on her back, over the curve of her hip."Best wedding gift ever," he murmured into her hair.Emma smiled against his skin. "Actually, that wasn't the real gift."Daniel pulled back to look at her. "What?""The lingerie. That was just… well foreplay if you like." Emma felt her heart start to pound again, but for a different reason now. "The real gift is—I need to tell you something."Daniel's expression shifted, concern flickering across his face. "Em—""I'm pregnant."Silence.Daniel stared at her, like he hadn't quite heard right. "You're—what?""Pregnant." Emma's hand went to her stomach, still flat but not for much longer. "Eight weeks. I was going to tell you straight away, but I knew that you really wanted a family, and I wanted to give you the b
The hotel suite was beautiful.Emma barely noticed.She'd been aware of leaving the reception after changing into her going-away dress, of the car ride here, of Daniel carrying her over the threshold like some kind of romance novel hero.Because all she could think about was the secret she was about to share.Daniel set her down gently in the middle of the suite, his hands lingering on her waist. "You okay? You've been quiet since we left.""Just taking it all in," Emma said. Which wasn't a lie. "Today was perfect.""It was." Daniel's hands moved up her back, found the zipper of her dress. "But now we get to the best part."Emma felt her breath catch as he slowly lowered the zipper, his fingers trailing along her spine. The dress loosened, started to slip off her shoulders."Wait," Emma said, stepping back. "I—I have something for you. A wedding gift."Daniel's eyebrows rose. "You already gave me a gift. The watch, remember?" She had given him a watch. But the baby was her real surpri
The reception was in full swing.The backyard had been transformed again. The ceremony chairs replaced with round tables draped in white linen, centerpieces of white roses and candles, those string lights now glowing overhead as the sun started to set. A dance floor had been set up near the house, music playing, people already dancing.Emma sat at the head table, Daniel's hand warm in hers, watching their friends and family celebrate. She took a sip from her champagne flute. Sparkling water. She'd told Daniel she wanted to keep a clear head tonight, wanted to remember every moment. He'd kissed her temple and said he understood.But as Emma looked around the reception, she started noticing things.Prue was drinking water like her, of course. Emma could see her at the table with Nate, laughing at something he'd said. And Honey, sitting beside Grayson, her glass also suspiciously clear. Not champagne or wine.Emma's eyes narrowed before moving to Lauren. She was sitting with Wyatt, and—y
The ceremony was being held in the garden. Her parents had transformed the backyard into something out of a fairy tale. White chairs arranged in neat rows, an arch covered in white roses and greenery at the front, string lights strung overhead even though it was still daylight. They'd be beautiful once the sun set and the reception started.Everyone they loved was there. Family and friends, all dressed up, all smiling.Emma stood at the top of the back steps with her father, looking down at the aisle she was about to walk.Luke was quiet beside her, one hand covering hers where it rested on his arm."You okay, Dad?" Emma asked softly."I should be asking you that. But you always thought of everyone else before yourself. The biggest heart." Luke's voice was rough. "My little girl's getting married.""Would you stop calling me little? You make me sound like a teenager… just." Emma teased."You'll always be little to me." Luke looked at her. "Emma, I want you to know…I'm proud of you. Of
The morning came in like a lamb… mild and gentle.That's what Emma's mother had said that morning, standing in the kitchen of the Taylor family home, looking out at the unseasonably warm day. No rain in sight. Just clear blue skies and the first hints of spring in the air. She did have a cape just in case.But so far, today was perfect wedding weather.Emma stood in front of the full-length mirror in her childhood bedroom, staring at herself in her wedding dress. White lace and silk, fitted bodice, flowing skirt. It was simple but undeniably elegant. It was everything she'd wanted.Her hand drifted to her stomach, which was still flat. No one could tell yet.She was eight weeks along. She had found out two weeks ago when her period hadn't shown up and the exhaustion she'd been attributing to wedding planning wouldn't go away. Five positive pregnancy tests later, and Emma had a secret she was terrified and thrilled about in equal measure.She hadn't told Daniel yet. Hadn't told anyone.
Daniel blinked slowly, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.White ceiling. Fluorescent lights. The smell of antiseptic and something medicinal. Hospital. He was in a hospital.Everything felt fuzzy, disconnected. His body was heavy and unresponsive. There was a dull ache in his back, spreading through his chest. Fuck, it hurt when he tried to move, making him lie still until he could gather himself.Why was he in a hospital?Then he saw her.Emma. Sitting beside his bed, holding his hand, eyes red and wet with tears. She looked exhausted. Beautiful, but exhausted."Em," he tried to say, but his voice came out wrong. His throat was raw, like he'd swallowed sandpaper."Hey." Emma's smile was trembling, relief and fear mixing together. "Welcome back."Back from where? Daniel tried to remember. Then a memory surfaced… the cafe. They'd been at a cafe. Talking. He was giving her an update and trying to mend fences, but she hadn't been so sure. When they'd left, walking outside. And—
The taxi driver, a weathered man with kind eyes, spoke broken English but understood her gestures well enough when she pointed to the address she'd written on a scrap of paper. The community kitchen sat tucked between a medical clinic and a small church, its corrugated metal roof gleaming under the
At 9:47 AM, a sleek black town car pulled up to the curb. The back door opened, and Morgan stepped out, immaculately dressed in a cream-colored suit, oversized sunglasses hiding half her face despite the overcast day."Right on schedule," Nate murmured.Grayson watched as Morgan said something to t
The lines on Grayson's forehead deepened as he stared at the message from Morgan. "She could be lying about that too. Saying she'll be there, then not showing up."Honey studied his troubled expression, chewing her bottom lip thoughtfully. "You don't trust anything about her, do you?""Not anymore.
Honey glanced at Grayson before answering. "It started as a way to make my own path without trading on my father's name. My father also wanted me to have around-the-clock protection. Then it became... a habit, I guess. A comfortable separation between my personal and professional lives.""Plus, her







