The day after their cold argument, the silence between Emma and Alexander thickened into a wall. She hadn't seen him since the night before, and part of her was grateful for the space. The other part wasn't so sure.
She sat curled on the chaise lounge in the sitting room, flipping through a book she couldn't bring herself to focus on. Outside, the sky was gray, and the soft patter of rain echoed against the windows. The mood fit.
Then came the knock, Soft but deliberate.
Emma rose, surprised. Marissa had a specific rhythm when she knocked this wasn't her. She opened the door slowly and froze.
"Lila?" Her voice cracked with disbelief.
Her best friend stood in the doorway, soaked from the drizzle but grinning like she hadn't just been missing for days.
"Oh my God, I've missed you!" Lila exclaimed, pulling Emma into a tight hug.
Emma laughed in relief and confusion. "Where have you been? I've been calling and texting nothing!"
Lila stepped inside, brushing her wet hair back. "It's a long story. I wasn't ignoring you, I swear. Things got complicated."
Emma narrowed her eyes. "You can't drop off the face of the earth and come back acting like it's a coffee break."
Lila winced. "Okay, fair. But you have no idea how deep this thing goes, Emma. I wanted to protect you."
Emma frowned. "Protect me from what?"
Lila lowered her voice. "From them. The Blackwoods. Alexander's world it's dangerous. There are people involved who don't care who they hurt."
Emma folded her arms. I already know that. Alexander showed me his father's files. The Blackwood Foundation, the harbor incident.
Lila blinked. He told you?
Emma nodded. Eventually. Not that it changes much I'm still in the dark about half of what's going on.
Lila looked uneasy. "Emma, I came today because I'm worried. There are whispers that someone close to Alexander is trying to bring him down. Someone who knew his father."
Do you know who?
I'm still piecing it together. But I think it's someone from his past.
Emma's brows knitted together. Like who?
Lila hesitated. Does the name Celeste mean anything to you?
Before Emma could respond, the door at the end of the hall clicked open. Heavy footsteps followed, and there he was Alexander, suited in charcoal gray, his expression unreadable.
He stopped cold when he saw Lila.
Interesting, he muttered. "The ghost returns."
Lila gave a tight smile. Nice to see you too, Alexander.
He looked at Emma. "Can I speak to you? Alone."
Emma's chest tightened. "Lila just got here. Whatever you have to say"
"It's important."
Lila gave Emma's hand a squeeze. "It's fine. I'll wait here."
Emma followed him into the adjacent study. He shut the door behind them, his posture rigid.
"You let her in?" he asked.
"She's my best friend," Emma replied, irritated. "You think I'd turn her away after everything?"
"You don't know what she's involved in."
"She's trying to help," Emma snapped.
"No," he said firmly. "She's trying to dig. Lila doesn't walk into fire unless she wants something."
Emma crossed her arms. "She thinks someone from your past is working against you. Someone named Celeste."
At the mention of the name, Alexander flinched. Just slightly but enough for Emma to catch it.
There it is, she said. You know her.
He exhaled. "Celeste was someone I was involved with years ago. She was part of the Foundation's inner circle. Smart. Calculated. But my father didn't trust her. Neither did I, not fully.
Did you love her? Emma asked, quieter now.
He looked at her. I thought I did. Until she proved what she really wanted.
Emma waited, but he didn't elaborate.
So what? She's back now?
I don't know, he said. But if she is, she's not here for closure.
Emma's chest twisted. The mention of an ex she never knew existed, who might be dangerous, sent a new wave of uncertainty washing over her.
You could've told me, she said.
And you would've done what with that information?
Trusted you more, she said simply.
They stared at each other in the silence that followed.
His jaw tightened. "I'm not good at this, Emma."
This?
Being close. Letting someone in. He stepped back, his eyes dark. "You shouldn't get close to me. You've seen what I attract. This life it ruins people."
Emma walked up to him, her voice calm. Don't you get it? I'm already here. I'm already tangled in it.
He closed his eyes briefly. And I hate that.
"Why? Because you might care?"
"Because I do," he said quietly. And that makes you a target.
The honesty hit harder than anything else he could've said.
Emma swallowed the emotion rising in her throat. You keep pushing me away, but you're the one who dragged me into this marriage. Into this life. You don't get to shut down now.
I married you to protect you, he said. To shield you from what was coming.
"Then stop acting like I'm your weakness."
He looked at her with something between pain and longing. "You are. And that terrifies me."
For a second, Emma thought he might touch her pull her into his arms, apologize, say something real.
But instead, he turned.
Go be with your friend, he said, his voice distant again.
Emma didn't move. "And what about you?"
"I have things to take care of."
And just like that, he left.
Back in the sitting room, Lila watched Emma return with a tired expression.
That bad? she asked gently.
Emma nodded. He pushes me away every time I try to understand him.
Classic broken billionaire, Lila muttered. They never come with instructions.
Emma managed a laugh. Then her expression shifted. Tell me more about Celeste.
Lila leaned in. She disappeared after Alexander broke things off. No one's seen her in years. But I heard she's resurfaced recently. Quietly. Around the same time those texts started coming to you."
Emma felt a chill. You think it's her? Could be. She knows how to cover her tracks Lila said
Emma bit her lip. I need to know more.
You need to be careful, Lila said. This woman is nothing like you. She's ruthless. She knew Alexander inside and out and she used that."
Do you think he still has feelings for her?
Lila's face softened. I don't think that matters. I think he's afraid of her.
Emma nodded slowly, her mind racing.
If Celeste was back, she wasn't here by accident. And if Alexander wouldn't let her in she would have to find the truth herself.
Because whatever was coming, she had a feeling it was just getting started.