It was around six in the evening when Emma came home. Kate was on a call, looking a little anxious while Ivy sat alone in the corner staring at her mother quietly waiting for her attention. Though Emma was tired, seeing the little girl unattended, she accompanied Ivy. Her presence brought a much-needed splash of cheer. A minute later Kate hung up the call and, for a few seconds, looked at Emma thoughtfully, perceiving her behavior and the sadness in her eyes. Despite her warm smile and soft laughter, something seemed off about her. Her young spirit felt sad and forlorn. It was as if she was going through a lot. The younger one exuded depressed vibes. She remained silent for most of the time, seeking solace in solitude. While most girls of her age like to dress up, put on makeup, shop for the latest trends and attend parties, Kate hadn't seen Emma doing any of these things. Amanda's words suddenly made more sense and Kate felt a deep sorrow in her heart, realizing what Emma was e

After an hour or more of driving on the winding roads, Kevin finally spotted a small house tucked away in the secluded wilderness. With ease, he steered his car onto the rustling leaf-strewn path and eventually stopped in front of an intricately designed gate that separated the quaint mansion from the surrounding woods. The uncertainty for what was to come rose inside Emma as she watched him step out of the car. Her heart pounded with anxiety at the thought of being so far away from the safety of the city and completely alone with him. She had an idea of what he would do to her, but given his raging anger, Emma feared that he might not only force himself upon her but bring physical and emotional harm as well. Though he had never hurt her physically before, yet she couldn't help but worry that this time things could be much worse. She had never seen him this angry. Taking a deep, desperate breath, Emma mustered all her courage and stepped out of the car ready to take whatever he w

Emma's gaze drifted to the clock as it ticked past midnight. The sound of breaking things that had been echoing through the room previously had stopped now. Perhaps his anger had been spent or maybe there was nothing left to break. With a renewed sense of hope, she gave the door a gentle knock in hopes that he would take her back now. But still, there was no response.Worried and unsure of what to do next, Emma stood in front of the huge glass window which offered a stunning view of the ocean. What a gorgeous place it was! To one side of the tiny mansion was a deep, lush forest, and to the other side a picturesque beach. She couldn't believe such beauty existed in this world—the house was a perfect escape from the worries of life. Emma slowly walked forward, captivated by the majestic beauty of the rolling waves crashing against the shore, their sound reverberating in the air. It was calming. She removed her heels and indulged in the sensation of the sand crunching wonderfully b

The white curtains fluttered gracefully with the breeze, letting in the dazzling sunshine which danced off the blue-green water of the ocean, creating sparkles on the beige walls of the room. It was truly a sight to behold.Kevin stood by the window, his gaze transfixed on the glittering ocean, its azure waves rolling towards the shore and falling back into the sea with a soft hiss while he engaged in a serious business call. "So, what's the schedule?" he inquired, letting the soothing sound of the waves take over him."Her aunt?" His thick eyebrows shot up above his gray eyes as he showed a little annoyance before continuing. “Alright, I'll look into it. No matter the cost, I want that estate," the man continued, his voice unwavering and authoritative. "Get the jet ready. We're leaving for Paris in a couple of hours. Have all the paperwork done by the time I get there," With a decisive nod, he hung up the phone and allowed his gaze to linger on the girl, who still lay peacefully bene

The sun shone fiercely on the extravagantly luxurious golf course. Its grounds were flawlessly trimmed, the grass a deep emerald green, and towering oaks and maples lined the course, offering sporadic bursts of shade. Kevin stepped out onto the course with an air of confidence, while Emma stayed off to the side, arms folded and eyes narrowed as she studied his every move. He was wearing a sleek black polo shirt that clung to his muscled torso, and gray pants that fit his strong thighs perfectly. He looked stunning with his clubs in hand and gaze focused, determined, and intense as he took his stance. Soon enough his hands flew gracefully coaxing the ball up into the air and watching with satisfaction as it soared off in a perfect arc to land on the fairway. Emma blinked in bewilderment, stunned by his perfect shots, and quietly admired his skills.He was good at everything. Every damn thing. Be it reading people accurately, speaking fluent French, charming women effortlessly with