Все главы The unfaithful encounter : Глава 1 - Глава 10

Emma’s Point of ViewThe sound of a spoon clinking against porcelain banged loud in the dining room. My stepmother, Regina, sat across from me, her perfectly manicured nails tapping rhythmically on the table. Her sharp green eyes scanned me like a predator stalking its prey. “Tell me, Emma,” she said, her voice deceptively sweet, “what exactly do you plan to do with your life now?” I hesitated, gripping the edge of my chair. “I’m figuring things out.” She let out a soft laugh, one that sent chills down my spine. “Figuring things out? That’s not good enough. Your father didn’t work his entire life for you to become—” she paused, her lips curling into a smirk—“a burden.” I clenched my fists under the table, willing myself not to react. Regina always had a way of digging under my skin, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. “I have a plan,” I said firmly, meeting her gaze. “Oh?” she arched a perfectly shaped brow. “And does this plan involve the father o

Emma’s Point of ViewThe morning light streamed through the windows of Ethan’s estate, but the beauty of the view did little to calm my nerves. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the coffee cup in front of me, trying to focus on anything other than the storm that was brewing.Ethan had been distant for the past few days, his mood colder than usual. He was always intense, but now there was a hard edge to him that made it impossible to ignore. I had an uncomfortable feeling that things were about to get worse.“Good morning,” I said quietly when I saw him enter the kitchen, his eyes dark with something I couldn’t quite place.He didn’t respond immediately, instead grabbing a mug and pouring himself coffee. His silence made the air thick with tension, and I could feel my throat tighten.Finally, he spoke, his voice low and clipped. “You need to get dressed. We’re going out.”I didn’t have time to ask why before he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. His co

Emma’s POVThe morning sun peeked through the thin curtains, painting the walls of the bedroom in golden hues. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Sleep had evaded me last night, as it often did since Ethan became a constant storm in my life. His words, his moods, and his secrets were like weights I carried every day, and I didn’t know how much longer I could bear them. Downstairs, the dining room table was set with an elegant breakfast spread. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to eat. My appetite had vanished, replaced by the unease that now seemed to follow me everywhere. Ethan’s chair sat empty, as it often did. I pushed my plate away, frustration bubbling inside me. Cassie’s advice replayed in my mind like a broken record. *“Stand your ground, Emma. If you let him control you, you’ll lose yourself.”* The sound of steady footsteps drew my attention. Ethan entered the room, dressed sharply in his signature navy

Emma’s POVThe drive back to Roland’s apartment was silent, but the tension was loud. Roland’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. I could feel his worry, though he hadn’t said a word. “Roland,” I said softly, breaking the silence. He glanced at me briefly, his jaw clenched. “You want to tell me what happened out there?” “I... It’s complicated,” I replied, looking down at my hands. “Try me,” he said firmly, his voice calm but insistent. I sighed, the weight of the night pressing down on me. “It’s Damian. He’s trying to get to Ethan, and I got caught in the middle.” Roland’s eyes narrowed as he turned onto his street. “Damian. Ethan’s rival?” “Yes,” I said, nodding. “And you didn’t think to tell me this earlier?” he asked, his voice rising slightly. “I didn’t want to drag you into this,” I said. “I thought I could handle it.” Roland parked the car and turned to face me. “Emma, you don’t have to handle everything alone. Especially not when i

Emma POVEmma sat in the corner of the café, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the handle of her coffee cup. The soft buzz of conversations surrounded her, but her focus was elsewhere. She had told Ethan she would meet him here, but now that the moment had come, she felt unsure.The last few weeks had been chaotic. Ethan's sudden interest in her life, his pushy demeanor, and the looming knowledge of the baby had left her in constant turmoil. She had avoided his calls, ignored his texts, but Ethan wasn’t the type of man to take no for an answer.Her thoughts were interrupted when the café door swung open, and Ethan entered, his presence as commanding as ever. Dressed in a tailored suit that seemed to amplify his authority, he scanned the room until his piercing gaze locked onto her.Emma took a deep breath as Ethan approached her table."You're here," he said, pulling out a chair without waiting for her invitation."You didn’t really leave me much of a choice, did you?" Emma replied