Mag-log inEMILIAThe moment Alexander's eyes landed on me, I felt all the air sucked out of me. We both froze at the same time, and for a second I wished it was an imagination and he was not actually standing there.I stood frozen for the few seconds realization flashed across Alexander’s face, and his steps halted. I wished he would not recognize me. I wasn’t the same girl he knew who wore flashy and bold colors.But luck wasn’t on my side today because he recognized me immediately.My heart dropped because after five years, the first person I met from my old life had to be Alexander.Out of instinct, my eyes strayed behind him to search for Steven, and when I didn’t see him, I didn’t allow myself to relax. He had to be close.My instinct screamed at me to run before Steven showed up. I was not ready to face him yet.I didn’t want to face him at all.I turned immediately and walked away when I noticed he started to change his steps so he could approach me.My pulse pounded in my ears as I walk
EMILIAI almost turned back at the entrance of the conference.The glass double doors looked intimidating, and I had to remind myself a thousand times that I was here because I deserved it. It was the payoff of all my hard work and sleepless nights.“You look like you are about to be butchered the moment you step through those doors," Anna teased from beside me.I sighed. “Well, I definitely feel like that is what would happen." I spared a glance in her direction. “The people here are industry giants. We would be nobody."Anna tsked and linked her arms with mine. “How many times have I told you to stop underestimating yourself?” she scolded lightly. “You built your firm from nothing, and in less than three years, you are already making a name for yourself. That is something a lot of people don’t achieve."I looked at her. “I know but…”“No buts." She shook her head and started pulling me towards the entrance. “When have I ever been wrong? You should know better than not to listen to m
STEVEN“Mr Riorson, the annual industry conference is coming up next week,” Alexander spoke from the front seat as we rode back to my house. “It’s drawing quite a bit of attention this year because they are allowing smaller companies as well”I couldn’t bring myself to be interested so I answered flatly. “Sure. Let them know that I will be attending”He nodded, and continued to tap away on his tablet. “I have sent the details to your email. The event will happen for three days and you don’t have to attend them all. A day would suffice”The house was quiet as always when I entered.I used to pride myself in this place. It was the house I had bought with hopes of it being for my family, but it didn’t feel like a home despite me having one.Maybe it had been when I just married Bianca, but now, it was just a place where people resided under the same roof.I loosened my tie slightly as I walked in, but I stopped when I heard voices in the living room.Bianca.A frown appeared on my face a
EMILIAI stared at Tommy, unable to answer his question. His behavior was unsettling. Something about him felt off.Tommy had always been easy, warm, and safe in a way that was familiar. He never demanded anything from me. Never pushed, but today, he was different.I didn’t understand why he was pressuring me like this. I studied him for a little time before I answered.“What does this have to do with anything?” I asked.His gaze didn’t waver. “It has everything to do with it.”“I appreciate your concern, but this is none of your business." I turned to leave, but he rushed forward and grabbed my arm.“Emilia.” I ripped my hand from his hold.“What is it? Why do you keep pushing? This has nothing to do with you." My voice was hostile when it spoke, and Tommy was stunned for a bit. I had never spoken to him like this before.He sighed and stepped back. “I’m sorry. I was too harsh. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just worried. You know a lot happened before you settled here. I don’t wa
EMILIA“I find it hard to believe that you aren’t going to be working today." I lifted my head from the stove to stare at Sunny as she lounged lazily on the couch while munching chips.“Why? It’s the weekend, and weekends are for resting."She snorted. “That doesn’t apply to you," she reminded. “Ever since we came here, all you do is study and then work.”“Well…”She scoffed. “You know I’m not lying.” She sat up, her face turning solemn. “But seriously, Emi. I get you want to make sure Lily never lacks anything, but I want you to have fun as well. You are still young."“This is enough fun for me," I told her with a grin, trying to make sure my thoughts didn’t wander where they shouldn’t. “As long as Lily is happy, I am okay."For the past five years, I have rebuilt my life after leaving everything behind. I couldn’t risk letting anything take this happiness I had struggled to fight and get for myself.Sunny looked like she wanted to argue, but a knock interrupted her.Lily, who I thou
EMILIA“I don’t recall working without one," I answered. “Or as a businessman, are you saying you never stick to time and are okay if the people you work with come to the office whenever they like?”His brow ticked, and I expected a rebuttal, but he smirked. “Interesting”“No. I’m just efficient and have a lot of work to do rather than waste time waiting for someone who doesn’t care for simple decency."This wasn’t me. I didn’t understand why he was grating on my nerves.“You don’t need to be so hostile with words, Ms. Jones.” He said, taking a seat. “Let’s proceed."I knew I should have refused the consultation after that introduction. Cole was a difficult person to work with.He challenged everything and questioned every recommendation I made like it was an insult to who he was, but I didn’t get this far by letting entitled rich brats walk over me.I pushed back with everything I had. By the end of the consultation, Cole’s smug expression had been wiped and was replaced with barely
EMILIAI sat up with a loud gasp as a painful cramp twisted my abdomen. My hand pressed flat against my stomach, as panic wrapped around me.“No,” I whispered, my heart pounding as the pain faded to a dull ache.I threw the sheets back, checking for any sign that my baby was in danger, but I couldn
STEVENThe door had barely closed before Bianca started. I walked towards the glass windows with my back to her and let her complaints wash over me the way I had learned to deal with people like her.It was a skill I had spent most of my life perfecting.“I told you that I wasn’t comfortable with y
EMILIAMy alarm buzzed at five-thirty, pulling me from a dream where everything had been pleasures and rough hands – Steven’s hands – before everything shattered.I slapped the alarm clock silent – don’t say why I still use a manual clock when I have my phone – and lay in bed for a moment, holding
EMILIA“So?” Tommy asked, a brow raised.“Fine.” I finally agreed and fought back the smile trying to show as he grinned. “But I won’t stay long."He looked like he could barely contain his smile, which finally made me let go of mine. “I’ll take what I can get."Tommy took me to a small place that







