Chapter 6

When Ethan rushed into the hospital, Clara had just been wheeled out of surgery. She collapsed straight into his solid chest, bawling her eyes out like a helpless little bird that’d fallen from its nest. “Ethan, I’m sorry... our baby’s gone. The baby...” Emma stood by the door, not sure whether to walk away or stay—neither felt like a good choice. “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Ethan held Clara gently, his voice soft, but the sharp edge in his eyes when he looked at Emma could’ve cut glass. “Why were you even with her in the first place?!” “Ethan, this... this isn’t Mrs. Brooks’s fault, it’s mine. I said something stupid and upset her.” Clara said, sobbing as she fished a stack of papers from her bag. “You gave me these files this morning. I was sorting through them and saw one without your signature. It’s about... about the confidentiality agreement for Carter Group’s top-selling product.” “I didn’t want to delay production, so I came to get Mrs. Brooks’s signature, but she said she’d only sign it if you came in person. I panicked and argued with her—and then I tripped... and fell… Ethan, it’s my fault. I couldn’t protect our baby.” Her sobs grew loud and broken, like her whole world was falling apart. Eventually, a doctor came and gave her a sedative to calm her down before she finally drifted off to sleep. Emma leaned against the wall, sighing to herself. What a drama queen. *** The moment they stepped inside the house, Ethan lost it. He grabbed Emma by the waist and roughly threw her onto the bed like she’d personally destroyed his life. “Emma, I really thought you were the classy, unshakable type. Always playing the perfect lady in front of me, but I see now—you’ve got no problem making life hell for a younger woman behind my back!” Emma’s heart felt heavy with frustration. At this point, she’d already been cast as the villain. Clara had lost the baby, and Ethan’s anger was locked on her—kind of expected, really. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. I’m really sorry about the baby.” She rubbed her sore wrist and tried to sit up. “I underestimated you,” Ethan snapped. “Were you just stringing me along this whole time? Playing hard to get so I’d think you were the real deal?! I must’ve been blind to almost buy that act!” “And what about all that blood last night? Don’t tell me you hired someone to fake that too!”"You—!" Emma was too drained to argue anymore. Her fingers clutched the bedsheet tightly, and she avoided looking Ethan in the eyes. "If that's really what you think of me, then fine. But what Clara said today... that's not the full story. She came to me because—" "Not the truth? Then explain this!" Ethan snapped, tossing a crisp document at her. "Cut the crap, Emma. Just sign the damn formula authorization already!" The Carter Group had started out in fragrances. Over time, they expanded, but their signature "Dream Kiss" line had always been the crown jewel. Yesterday, in the rush, Ethan hadn't noticed a page missing from the contract. With the bilateral deal happening next month, not having this authorization could mess everything up big time. Thinking of all the ways Clara had gone out of her way to support him—and what that had cost her—only made Ethan’s disgust and resentment toward Emma grow even deeper. Emma shook her head. “Ethan, I’m not signing it.” She told him that she’d left it unsigned on purpose yesterday. “What did you just say?” The man’s jaw clenched so hard it looked like he might crack a tooth. “My mom died giving birth to me,” Emma’s voice dropped. “My dad raised me on his own. Never remarried. ‘Dream Kiss’ was launched on the first anniversary of her death. It grew into the company’s biggest brand, but through it all, it’s been this one pure thing for us.” She lowered her gaze. “You see a business move, a chance to cash in. I see a legacy I can’t let go of. So no—I can’t.” A harsh smack echoed as Ethan’s palm landed square on her cheek. Turns out, the line between cold silence and actual violence... was just a man’s last thread of self-control snapping. "Stop playing these games with me, Emma! This company isn’t yours to lecture me about!” “Ethan…” She lifted a hand to her burning cheek, tongue brushing the metallic tang from her split lip. “What happened to Clara’s baby... I’m truly sorry. We can talk about what you want me to do to make it up to her. But not this. Anything but this.” “Make it up?” Ethan let out a low, dry laugh. Then he grabbed her by the shoulders, his fingers biting into her skin. “Still think you’re daddy’s little princess, huh? Think throwing money at everything means it's all good? Fine then. You want to make it up to Clara? Give me another baby. Right now!”With a sharp ripping sound, Ethan lost all control like a wild animal, yanking Emma’s dress apart in a fit of rage.