3. His Eyes Found Me

“Emma, are you sure you’re okay?”

Emma flinched when the voice addressed her. She turned quickly, making sure no one else was around.

“Why?” she asked, trying to sound normal.

“You’ve looked restless since noon,” Jenny said. “Like you’re being chased by a ghost.”

Emma gave a thin smile. “I’m just short on sleep.”

“Short on sleep, or… is there something you’re hiding from me?” Jenny narrowed her eyes. As her best friend, Jenny was sure Emma was hiding something.

Emma grabbed her bag. “It’s nothing, Jen. I’m heading home early, okay?”

“Why the rush to go home?”

“I’m not feeling well,” Emma replied quickly.

Jenny was about to say something else, but Emma was already standing. She didn’t want to linger at the office.

“Don’t forget,” Jenny called out softly, “our new boss is still in the office.”

The words made Emma’s steps pause for a moment.

“Yeah, I know,” she answered shortly.

She walked quickly down the hallway, head lowered, avoiding anyone’s gaze. Every sound of footsteps made her heart leap. Emma was genuinely afraid she might suddenly run into Alex at the company.

Don’t let me meet him.

Please don’t, God.

The elevator doors opened. Emma stepped inside and let out a long breath as the doors closed.

“Calm down,” she whispered. “You’re safe.”

But that sense of safety vanished the moment she stepped out of the building.

A black car stopped in front of her.

“Emma.”

She turned. Jonathan stepped out of the driver’s seat, a faint smile on his face.

“Since when do you pick me up?” Emma said sarcastically.

Jonathan nodded. “You didn’t answer my calls. You didn’t reply to my messages.”

Emma got into the car without much to say.

“Not working overtime today?” Jonathan asked as he drove off.

“Today… I’m free. No overtime,” Emma replied. “So I can go home early.”

“That’s rare.”

Emma turned her face toward the window. “I’m tired.”

Jonathan glanced at her briefly. “Are you still angry?”

“What do you think?” Emma replied flatly.

Jonathan sighed. “Emma, I already told you—”

“You’ve told me many times,” Emma cut in. “And you keep doing it anyway.”

Silence followed.

“I’m sorry,” Jonathan said as he reached for Emma’s hand, which she immediately pulled away from. “I promise I’ll change.”

“You always say that.”

Jonathan tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I’m not serious about her. I just need—”

“Then what about me?” Emma’s voice weakened. “Are you just playing with me too?”

Jonathan’s jaw hardened. “I just need an outlet…” he said quietly.

“An outlet? Just because I refuse to sleep with you?” Emma scoffed, staring at him.

“I’m a normal man, Emma. I need that,” Jonathan answered honestly.

Emma fell silent. Was it her fault for guarding her chastity for their wedding night?

“Forget it,” Emma cut in, remembering what she had done with Alex the night before.

“As usual, I’ll pretend I’m fine every time you betray me.”

“I promise I won’t do it again,” Jonathan replied.

“Honestly, I could leave at any time,” Emma continued softly. “But I stay.”

Jonathan turned to her. “Because of Grandpa?”

Emma gave a small nod.

“The doctor said his condition is already stable,” Jonathan said quickly. “You don’t have to—”

“I do,” Emma cut in. “You know how badly Grandpa wants us to get married soon.”

Jonathan let out a long breath. He was tired of their relationship, always full of misunderstandings. He wanted to cancel their arranged marriage, but it was too risky. And… for the sake of the inheritance.

Emma smiled bitterly. “We both need this. I need to repay a debt, and you need the inheritance.”

The car stopped at a large intersection. The seconds of the red light felt painfully long in the silence.

On the other side of the road, a black sedan also stopped. Inside it, Alex glanced to the side—then his eyes caught the figure of the woman who had been disturbing his thoughts since morning.

“Her,” he murmured.

The man in the driver’s seat turned. “Who do you mean, sir?”

“That woman,” Alex replied softly.

The assistant frowned. “The woman with Mr. Jonathan?”

“Jonathan?” Alex repeated, puzzled. His gaze followed Emma’s car as it drove away.

“They look close,” Alex said, curious.

Edward, his assistant, smiled faintly. “That’s Miss Emma, Mr. Jonathan’s fiancée.”

Alex froze for a moment. Then he leaned back. Memories of the previous night slipped back in—fragments of Emma’s face, her voice, the way she had called his name.

“It’s understandable if you don’t know her,” Edward muttered. “Did you meet her at the office earlier?” he asked curiously, noticing the change in Alex’s expression.

“Miss Emma works at Altex, your family’s company.”

Alex turned quickly. He couldn’t believe God would bring him together with Emma this soon—the woman who had managed to stir his heart from their very first meeting.

Sensing that Alex wanted more information about her, Edward continued, “Miss Emma works in the general secretarial department.”

Alex stared at Edward intently. It seemed impossible that Jonathan had never touched Emma. Last night had been Emma’s first experience—and he was the one who had received that honor.

“How has their relationship been?”

“Not good. Mr. Jonathan is a serial cheater,” Edward explained, sharing everything he knew about Jonathan.

“Do you know Miss Emma?” Edward asked, growing more curious.

“Of course not.”