Ten months of sin

om, Carmen's spare blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The keys Carmen had pressed into

tly she closed her eye

time around, every second her gaze turned towards the clock and still their wasn't much difference. Her mind spun with questions, with fears:

e. "Please, just let something go right for once..."she whispered .as

her. The screen lit up wit

, to let him fade away like the disappointment he'd been too many times be

rm like honey. "Thank God you picked up. I am at the house, whe

I was too tired to come home, especially a home that feels more like a house ... you know what, it's lat

because of how he would react; the shock. But, the fact that

self sick. Listen to me, sweetheart-I've got this covered. All of it. You don't have to break your back working like thi

so badly to believe him, to let the warmth

aught between yearning and fear. "

know. I messed up before. I wasn't ready then. But I am now.

ility, safety, love-the things his words painted so perfectly. But reality was colder

und, but she knew they were never going to hap

wn still hours away and her loneliness pressing in, she

n it this time,

that had once swept her off her feet. "Tomorrow

ed her eyes and let herself believe,if only for

keep her feelings afloat,but with each passing day... the t

-

E NE

rdboard tray with two steaming coffees in the other. She hadn't slept-not a w

of those prison gates, of finding a tiny apartment where the two of them could finally live, laugh

rself, shifting her grip on the coffee as sh

nd falling with urgency. Carmen appeared down the hall, her hair in a messy bun, her scrubs wrinkle

a nurse now" Emily teased before handi

g called a nurse, you can say that.I've been running on fumes since the accident last night." Carmen breathe

The least I could do is help you." Emily flashed a smile at Carmen before taking a sip of her coffee.

sults for all the tests conducted yesterday are out... we should go check it o

Emily's pulse hammering in her chest. Each step close

ds clinical at first-but then the phrase

bs?...You'r

rted, her hands flew to her face, and tears blurred everything. A

a prayer of gratitude. She turned to Carmen, clasping her hand.

ave a sheepish smile. "Don't thank me, Em

ly. "I'll inform Mr. Moretti at on

ine, colliding with an odd warmth she couldn't name. Just the thought of be

little girl?" Em

e little girl's bedside. Amara

ered, her small a

ng, sunshine." She smiled, tugging a strand of h

's beautiful eyes. She admired Amara's strength; going

eserves to go through what she is go

d while trying to sit up on the bed. Emily

just came to keep you company... You called me Angel, right? So your a

poured through her chest like sunlight after a storm. For a while, they joked

s when he

xan

robably cost more than Emily had ever touched in her life. His presence

heart. But what unsettled him more was the sight of Emily

chirped, wavi

eight of his gaze settled on her. She turned slowly

mara said proudly. "Daddy, t

f she should bow, shake h

oward her. His eyes were steady, unreadable, but his

e looking into her eyes. Unapologetic

ust, and confusion all tangled together. Sweet cheeks? In front of his daughter? What

fore she shook his. "Emily," s

e women usually did when he teased. But instead, she looked... appalled. Th

he said next, his

t the name that carried weight and

. "Daddy?...you never let peopl

he didn't look away from Emily.

ing on the herm of her blouse. She wasn't sure

der continued, his voice low, silk edged with

ng his gaze. "She's... she's a wonderful

nsion. "Daddy? Did you buy my chocolates? If yo

Emily forced a smile at Amara, bu

eeks. Alexander

g near him was dangerous, and not just because of who he was. It was dan

e met Amara and made her laugh. Now, she would like nothing more than

y. "Stay a while longer. Amara s

er feet. "I shouldn't intrude,

no argument. "That counts for something. Besides, I was just here to see he

Emily. "Daddy doesn't know how to tell jokes.

er hand. Alexander caught it, his brow lifting, and for

need a teacher

xander watched silently, his ruthless mask softening as he took in the sight of his daughter so alive, so joyful. And yet,

ered when the do

ept inside, heels clicking, perfume far too heavy for a hospital. H

stif

sleeve as though she belonged there. "Why is she still h

d, clutching Emily ti

.. I am just putting someine in her place" she pressed on, pitching her voice for effec

I will always protect what's mine. Alexander. I know women like this...lonely, desperate. Stalkers." Her lips parted

ed in to

turned t

s voice. "Sophia." His tone was soft enough not to

etched into her small face. Emily's chest burned at the s

th a tenderness that startled Emily. Then, without another word,

out of sight, wondering how this sweet child

shut be

-

E HAL

e under fire. He spun Sophia to face

Sophia. And you thought it wise to put on a show like that in front of her? To hu

tightened.

a cheap distraction in front of your child? If you can't be a mother to her, at least learn to b

idence slipping for the briefest

ted. Don't make me strip you of the right to call yourself Amara's

disgust and turned away, leaving Sophia tremblin

HOSPIT

the walls of the room. Amara stared at the space her parents

ain. "They think I don't know, but I do. They don't love each other

should have to watch the cracks in her parents' lives widen. She tucked a

will never stop loving you, no matter what happens." Emily said softly, choosing her wo

wish... I wish we could be a real fa

t instead, she offered the only comfort she could. She ben

r, stronger, and one day everything w

ig eyes that seemed far too knowing for

the weight of empty promises. "Yes," she whispered. "And until then,

ped an arm around the girl, holding h

th of their embrace. His gaze lingered on Emily, and something unspok

g Amara's cheek. Then, after a beat, he looked at E

ng a small, soft smile. "The

uth slipped out. She didn't want him knowing she was the match for his daughter... she didn't p

he door, Alexander'

er last night?" His tone wasn't accusi

ds, forcing the lie to her lips. "I just wanted to

er, could almost sense the disbelief etched int

er steps forward, and walked out bef

his jaw tightening, questions stirring i

-

leaving the room quiet again save

s shoulder. His gaze lingered on the space Emily had just vacated, the soft

fe-society beauties, ambitious schemers, polished heiresses who knew exactly what to say to lure a man like h

. Emily was

painted smiles, no fluttering lashes, no coy advances. Just sincerity, raw and un

made her

eadable as his daughter leaned against him, content with his presenc

ly over her hair. "Yes," he s