Chapter 38
Emma sat curled up on the plush leather sofa, a blanket draped over her legs. Her champagne glass rested untouched on the coffee table, the bubbles long since fizzled. Across the room, Thomas stood near the window, his hands in his pockets, staring out into the shimmering expanse of lights.
The evening had been victorious—on paper. They had confronted Luka and Elliana, secured their exit, and ensured that the Diaz family’s stranglehold on Barrett Industries was broken. And yet, a heaviness lingered, a shadow cast by Luka’s parting words and the gnawing uncertainty of what lay ahead.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Emma asked softly, breaking the silence.
Thomas turned, his features illuminated by the faint light. He offered her a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just thinking about everything we’ve been through. It’s hard to believe it’s over—or at least this part of it.”
Emma nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands. “It doesn’t feel like a victory yet. Maybe because it’s hard to trust that someone like Luka will just… disappear.”
Thomas crossed the room and sat down in the armchair opposite her. “That’s understandable. Men like Luka don’t give up easily. But you’ve done everything you can to protect yourself and the twins. That counts for something.”
Emma glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You always know what to say to make me feel better. Have you considered adding ‘therapist’ to your resume?”
Thomas’s chuckle was soft, low, and warm, a soothing balm against the storm of emotions Emma carried.
“I’ll stick to what I’m good at, thanks,” he said with a playful tilt of his head. His tone softened as he continued, his gaze steady on her. “But if it means anything… you’ve been stronger than most people could ever hope to be. It’s inspiring, Emma.”
Her cheeks flushed, warmth creeping up her neck at the sincerity in his words. She ducked her head slightly, unable to meet his gaze for a moment.
“I don’t know about that,” she said quietly. “Most days, I feel like I’m barely holding it together.”
“That’s the thing,” Thomas replied, leaning in just enough for his presence to feel closer. “You don’t have to feel strong to be strong. Look at what you’ve been handling—your reputation, the twins, standing up to Luka… and everything with Alex. And yet, here you are.”
At the mention of Alex, Emma’s faint smile faltered, her eyes dropping to the blanket in her lap. Her fingers fidgeted with its edge, a telltale sign of the conflict warring inside her.
Thomas’s own smile faded as he watched her carefully.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice gentle. “I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”
“It’s not your fault,” Emma murmured, shaking her head. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the raw honesty in it was impossible to miss. “It’s just… complicated. I don’t know what to think about Alex anymore. Part of me still loves him—how could I not? But another part of me…”
She hesitated, her words caught in her throat.
“Another part of you is hurt,” Thomas finished softly, his voice steady but laced with empathy.
Emma looked up then, her gaze meeting his. His eyes were kind but searching, and in their depths, she found something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in weeks: understanding.
“Yeah,” she admitted, her voice breaking slightly. “Hurt. And confused. And maybe… maybe even ready to move on.”
Thomas didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he let her words settle between them, the weight of her confession filling the room. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a murmur.
“When you’re ready, Emma—when you know what you want—I’ll be here.”
The unspoken words lingered between them, charged with a quiet intensity. For the first time in what felt like forever, Emma allowed herself to imagine what it might feel like to choose something new. To choose someone who saw her, supported her, and stood by her without question.
The room fell into a profound stillness, the weight of unspoken emotions thick in the air. Thomas shifted slightly in his seat, his normally confident demeanor tinged with hesitation. His hands were clasped tightly, his knuckles pale as though bracing himself for what he was about to say.
“Emma,” he began, his voice careful, deliberate. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you. I’ve been waiting for the right time, but… maybe there isn’t a ‘right’ time for something like this.”
Emma tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly, her curiosity piqued by the sudden seriousness in his tone. “What is it?”
He exhaled slowly, the breath carrying with it a tension that filled the room. For a moment, his eyes locked on hers, and Emma saw something there she hadn’t noticed before—a depth of vulnerability that contrasted sharply with the steadfast, composed man she had come to rely on.
“Over these past few weeks,” he said, his voice low and steady, “I’ve gotten to know you in ways I never expected. Watching you fight for your family, your future, and for yourself… It’s been nothing short of extraordinary. And through all of that, I’ve realized something—something I can’t ignore anymore.”
Emma’s heart began to pound, a flutter of anticipation mingling with confusion. “What are you saying?”
Thomas leaned forward slightly, his gaze earnest and unwavering.
“I care about you, Emma. More than I probably should. More than I ever meant to. Much more.”
Her breath caught, the room suddenly feeling smaller. She opened her mouth to respond, but Thomas gently raised a hand, stopping her.
“Let me finish,” he said softly, his tone tender but insistent. “I’m not telling you this to make things harder for you or to ask for anything in return. I just needed you to know. Because no matter what happens—whether you’re ready or not, whether you feel the same or not—I want to be here for you. For as long as you’ll let me.”
The sincerity in his words struck a chord deep within her. Emma stared at him, her mind a whirlwind of emotions she couldn’t quite name. She hadn’t seen this coming—not from Thomas, who had always seemed so composed, so focused on her protection, her safety.
“Thomas,” she said finally, her voice trembling, “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he replied quickly, his words gentle but certain. “This isn’t about expecting something from you. I just needed to be honest. You’ve been through so much, and I know this might not be what you want to hear right now. But I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.”
Emma lowered her gaze to her hands, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. She thought of everything Thomas had done for her—his unwavering support, his kindness, his quiet strength. He had been her anchor through the chaos, the one constant she could depend on when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
And yet, her heart was still tangled in the complicated web of her feelings for Alex.
“I care about you too,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve been there for me in ways I can’t even put into words.”
Thomas’s expression softened, though he didn’t interrupt.
“But,” Emma continued, her gaze lifting to meet his, “I’m still trying to figure out where my heart is. Everything with Alex… it’s not resolved. And until it is, I don’t think it’s fair to you—or to me—to start something new.”
Thomas nodded slowly, his eyes full of understanding.
“I get it,” he said. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right choice. You need to do what’s best for you and the twins.”
Emma smiled faintly, the weight in her chest easing.
“Thank you, Thomas. For everything. For being honest, and for… being you.”
He chuckled softly, the tension between them dissipating. “Well, I’m not going anywhere, if that helps.”
The two sat in companionable silence for a while, the city lights twinkling like stars beyond the window. Emma felt a strange sense of peace settling over her—a feeling she hadn’t experienced in what felt like forever.
For the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, things could get better.
“Thomas,” she said quietly, breaking the silence.
“Yeah?”
“I don’t know what the future holds,” she admitted. “But I know I’m lucky to have you in my corner.”
His smile was warm, his gaze steady. “And I’m lucky to have you in mine.”
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