جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 120

KnoxI sit behind my desk, chest so tight it hurts to breathe. The image won’t leave my head. Ethan’s mouth on hers, her soft laugh right after. My fingers dig into the armrests until the leather creaks.“Emma,” I say, voice low and dangerous. “You let him kiss you?”She stands in front of my desk, twisting her fingers together. For a second she looks nervous. Then her eyes lift to mine. There’s a spark of defiance there that makes my cock twitch even through the anger.“I didn’t mean to kiss him,” she said. “I was happy to see him and—”“You let him put his filthy hands on you,” I cut her off. My voice comes out rough, edged with fury.She lifts her chin. “It’s not like I owe you an explanation. I don’t complain when you have sex with my mother, do I? I can be with whoever I choose. There’s nothing you can do about it.”The words hit like a slap. I spring up from my chair so fast it rolls back and hits the wall. “Really, Emma? I see.”Rage surges through my veins, not just at her, b

KnoxI sit behind my desk in the morning, and I am looking at Mr. Carter on the opposite side of the desk from me. Light from the sun, beams through the open blinds to the tile floor. I always feel like my office is a fortress, but now it seems like I’m trapped in a cage. I lean forward on the shiny mahogany with my elbows and make an effort to keep my voice down.“Mr. Carter, just listen to me,” I say. "I can replace the twenty-five million that Monica put in. Immediately. If possible, by wire transfer today. Just go back to the board. Tell them I'll take care of it. Tell them this is still my company."He doesn’t even bat an eye. He just slowly shakes his head like he’s already made up his mind. “Knox, the decision has been made. Documents signed, and votes counted. The board wants her as a partner. There's nothing I can do.”My knuckles are white as my fingers grip the edge of the desk. “So they want her? After one damn presentation? They didn't even call me."He sighs. “We did o

KnoxThe car horn is blaring outside, it is really loud. My heart is beating fast like it is going to jump out of my chest.My wife is back, this is not good. I do not need this now.I get up from the bed quickly. I look at Emma, she is holding the sheet tightly around her body and she looks scared."You need to get out of here before my mom comes upstairs," she whispers, her voice shaking.I nod, there is no time to talk. I put on my boxers. My shirt, I do not even bother to button it. I rush to the door and I open it. Stepping out.I run into my wife, Gina, face to face.I am really scared, my stomach is turning. I need to calm down.I force a smile as I close Emma's door behind me. It makes a click."My love," I say, my voice is soft and sweet. I am surprised at how my voice sounds. "When did you get back?"Gina does not answer, she just looks at me. Her eyes are hard; as if they are searching for something.I hope she does not smell the sex on my skin. I hope she does not notice m

Emma.Two days laterI stand in the bathroom staring at my reflection. Water still drips from my wet hair onto my shoulders. The white fluffy towel clings to my body. My heart beats a little too fast even though today should feel exciting. The product launch is finally here. Everyone at the company has been buzzing about it for weeks. I should be smiling. Instead my stomach twists with nerves.It is not even about the event. Knox handles the speeches and the spotlight. I stay in the background like always, checking details, making sure nothing falls apart. That part I can handle. What messes with my head is Monica. His ex-wife. The way she looked at me the last time we crossed paths. Like she knows every secret I try to bury. Like she sees right through the careful lies Knox and I tell the world. I should have told him about that confrontation days ago. My fingers press against my temple. Stupid. Why did I push it out of my mind? I can still tell him today. It is not too late. Right

EmmaMy whole body feels shaky and restless the moment Monica throws that sneer my way and struts off. Her sharp heels echo loud against the marble floor. My palms stay damp no matter how many times I wipe them on my skirt. My right hand feels extra slippery inside Knox’s grip.He steps closer. His body heat brushes against me like a promise. Every muscle in my shoulders tightens away.“Emma," he says softly. "You really do not have to feel this nervous. Just put Monica out of your mind completely.”I swallow hard. The lump in my throat refuses to go down. I steal a look up at his face. My eyes dart around the hall that keeps filling up with people. Their voices mix into a hum of greetings and small talk. My mom is still nowhere in the crowd.The empty space where I expect her to stand makes my stomach twist tighter. I keep scanning faces. I hope she is just busy.“Look, we should never have walked in holding hands like that," I whisper. "Did you notice the way she stared at us? The a