Chapter 48
The mid-morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Emma’s apartment, illuminating the polished wooden floors with streaks of golden light. The hum of the city outside was muted but constant, a reminder of the world that continued to spin despite the chaos in her life. Emma stood at the kitchen counter, staring into a cup of tea she hadn’t taken a sip from, her thoughts a jumble of frustration and uncertainty.
The sudden buzz of her phone broke through her reverie. She glanced at the screen, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Alex’s name. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. Let it ring, she thought, but her resolve wavered. With a deep breath, she swiped to answer.
“Alex,” she said, her tone sharp but steady.
“Emma,” he replied, his voice calm yet strained. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
Emma’s frown deepened, suspicion creeping in. “If this is another attempt to discuss the divorce—”
“It’s not,” Alex interjected, his tone firm. “It’s about the company. Barrett Industries. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.”
Her grip on the phone tightened, and she felt the weight of his words settle on her shoulders. After a moment, she sighed. “Fine. But I’m not leaving my apartment. If you want to talk, you come here.”
“Twenty minutes,” Alex said, and the line went dead.
True to his word, Alex arrived promptly, every inch the composed CEO. His tailored suit was immaculate, his tie perfectly knotted, but Emma saw past the polished veneer. His jaw was tight, and his eyes, though steady, held a flicker of unease.
“Come in,” she said, stepping aside to let him enter.
He nodded briefly and stepped into the apartment. His gaze flicked around the room, lingering on the rearranged furniture and a new painting on the wall. “You’ve redecorated,” he remarked, his tone light but distracted.
Emma crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. “You didn’t come here to talk about my apartment. Get to the point, Alex.”
He met her gaze, his composure faltering for just a second before he nodded. “It’s the company. Things are worse than I thought. Elliana’s departure has left chaos in her wake, and now, the board is panicking. The media is tearing us apart, and…” He hesitated, his voice softening. “Your name keeps coming up.”
Emma’s brow furrowed. “My name? What are you talking about?”
“They’re using you,” Alex said, frustration creeping into his voice. “The false accusations, the rumors—they’re targeting both of us. And the board thinks the only way to salvage the situation is to bring you back.”
Her arms tightened across her chest. “And let me guess—you’ve come to me to fix it.”
Alex hesitated, then nodded. “In a way, yes. Emma, the board and I believe the best way to counter these accusations is to bring you back to Barrett Industries. Not as a defensive move, but as a statement. A show of unity, of strength.”
Her laugh was bitter. “Let me get this straight. After everything, you expect me to swoop in and save the company? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?”
He flinched, but he held her gaze. “I’m not asking you to save it for me. I’m asking you to reclaim what’s yours. You built Barrett Industries just as much as I did. You deserve to have your name cleared, and the company needs your leadership to stabilize.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Alex admitted. “And I wouldn’t blame you if you refused. But the truth is, you’ve always been an essential part of this company. Your work, your vision—it’s what helped build Barrett Industries into what it is today. And now, we need that strength more than ever.”
Emma’s arms remained crossed, her expression unreadable. “And what do you get out of this, Alex?”
His shoulders tensed, but his voice was sincere. “I get the chance to fix at least one thing I broke. To make this right, even if it’s just a start.” His jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away. “I get the chance to make things right. For you, for the company—for everything.”
She stared at him, her emotions a tangled mess of anger, confusion, and something she couldn’t quite name. Finally, she let out a long breath. “I’ll think about it. But don’t for one second think this changes anything between us.”
Alex nodded, his relief palpable. “I understand.”
As he turned to leave, Emma’s voice stopped him. “If I come back, it’s for the company—not for you.”
Alex froze for a moment before looking over his shoulder. “For the company,” he agreed softly.
The room fell silent for a long moment, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Emma felt a flicker of something—an emotion she couldn’t quite place—stirring in her chest. But she quickly pushed it aside, her suspicion still strong.
“Anyway this isn’t just about the company, is it?” she asked, her voice quieter now.
Alex’s shoulders tensed, but he didn’t deny it.
“No,” he said finally. “It’s not. I won’t lie to you, Emma—I want this to be a step toward rebuilding what we lost. But if you don’t want that, I’ll respect it. This proposal is as much about your reputation as the company’s. You deserve the chance to clear your name.”
Emma let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “You really think bringing me back to Barrett Industries is going to solve everything? That it’ll magically erase all the lies, all the pain?”
“No,” Alex said, his voice firm. “But as I said it’s a start. A way to fight back against the people who tried to tear us—and the company—apart. A way to show them that we’re stronger than their schemes.”
Emma studied him, her emotions a tangled mess. She wanted to believe he was being sincere, that this wasn’t just another attempt to manipulate her. But the scars he had left ran deep, and trust wasn’t something she could give easily anymore.
“I’ll think about it,” she said finally, her tone measured.
Relief flashed in Alex’s eyes, though he quickly masked it. “That’s all I can ask.”
“But let me make one thing clear,” Emma added, her voice sharpening. “If I agree to this, I won’t be paraded around like a pawn in your PR strategy. And I won’t let you or anyone else use this as an excuse to get personal.”
Alex nodded, his expression serious. “Understood.”
As he turned to leave, Emma called out to him. “Alex.”
He paused, glancing back at her.
“Why now?” she asked, her voice softer. “Why come to me with this now, after everything?”
Alex hesitated, his gaze searching hers.
“Because I finally realized what I should have seen all along. You’re the strongest person I know, Emma. And I need your strength now more than ever.”
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
When the door closed behind him, Emma sank onto the couch, her mind racing. She wanted to believe Alex’s sincerity, but her instincts told her to tread carefully.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Thomas. He answered on the second ring.
“Emma,” he said, his tone warm. “What’s going on?”
“Alex came to see me,” she said without preamble. “He wants me to come back to Barrett Industries.”
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