Emma Russell: The Woman Reborn

a kiss, but with my husband Cole ch

guest house. But when I arrived, Britney was already there, wearing my favorite silk

He had orchestrated the hostile takeover that destroyed my father's company, drove him to his death, a

ne I was unstable. He thought he had buried me, but my childh

later, I'

terpiece that has the tech world buzzing, and

s dead. He has no idea s

pte

innocent-faced cousin. The scent of champagne and roses still hung in the air, clashing with the bitter taste

was a fading memory of a life I thought I had, a life that was never real. My spine felt rigid, cold. Other wome

a family friend from Cole' s side. Her eyes w

alright?" she asked, h

gaze was a wall. She withdrew her hand, her smile faltering, and quickly ex

entered. My fingers, steady as a surgeon's, pic

per, yet firm. "It's Emma Russell. I need to

. Woodard? Are you certain? This is rather sudden. Is everything a

rd a stone dropping into a deep well. "There

irst thing tomorrow. Is there anything specific you'

oice devoid of emotion. "I will provide deta

. A notification. It was from Britney. My st

nt, lay against a pillow. Cole' s pillow. And around her neck, gleaming faintly, was the sapphir

tter on me, Em. And honestly? He's right. You always were too... serious

t. My head pounded, a relentless drumbeat against my temples. The room spun.

e. His name flashed on the screen, a tormenting

barely controlled fury. "You ruined the entire evening! What was with

ce level. "I suppose I wasn't feeli

s. Britney's upset. I need you to pack your things. You can stay in the guest

hed in and twisted my heart. The guest house. He was kicking me out

d, the word a fl

did you say?" Cole soun

strange, dark calm settling ov

ke a scene. I'll send someone up to help you." And then, he hung up. The l

smiling back at me. This house, this life, it all started with him. His legacy. I could f

nd into the sun-drenched conservatory, a place my father had loved. In the corner, almost hidden behind an overgrown fe

d my eyes, remembering his laugh, the way he'd explain complex algorithms to me in simple, magical terms. He trusted Co

died tonight. But something else was blooming in i

pen, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, nestled amongst faded blueprints and a worn lea

My father. And his legacy. The drive felt cool against my palm, a