The Truth’s Aftermath
The morning sun filtered through Emma’s bedroom curtains, casting soft shadows across her bedrest sanctuary. A week had passed since the hospital, and while her body had recovered from the immediate shock, her mind still swirled with unanswered questions and unspoken words.
A knock at her door startled her from her thoughts. To her surprise, Alex stood there, holding a paper bag from her favorite breakfast place and wearing an expression she couldn’t quite read.
“The doctor said you need proper nutrition,” he said awkwardly, placing the bag on her bedside table. Steam wafted from the coffee cup – decaf, she noted, touched that he’d remembered. “And I… I wanted to check on you.”
The silence between them felt heavy with everything they weren’t saying. Alex moved around her room with unfamiliar hesitation, so different from his usual confident stride. He’d been doing this all week – appearing at odd hours with food, necessities, or just to hover uncertainty in her space.
Emma’s phone buzzed for the third time that morning. Victoria’s name flashed on the screen, another “concerned” message checking on her “dear friend’s” wellbeing. Each message was perfectly crafted to seem caring while subtly reminding Emma of Victoria’s place in Alex’s life.
“She’s been calling the office too,” Alex said, noticing Emma’s expression. “She’s… concerned about the company’s image.”
“Is that what we’re calling it now?” Emma’s voice was tired. Before Alex could respond, her phone buzzed again – this time with a message from her assistant about suspicious access to her private files.
He lingered near the edge of the bed, his expression uncertain, as though he were about to say something and then thought better of it. The room filled with the soft sound of her sipping her tea, a stark contrast to the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, his tone hesitant. “I… I didn’t know you were going through this alone,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on the floor. “If I had known, things might have been… different.”
Emma looked down at her tea, her fingers tracing the edge of the cup as she tried to gather her thoughts. “Would it, though?” she asked softly, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. “I didn’t exactly see you eager to understand what I was going through, Alex. Not with… everything else going on.”
A flicker of something — regret, perhaps — passed across his face. “I realize that now,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I can’t change the past. I can only try to… be here, if you’ll let me.”
Before she could respond, the shrill ring of his phone cut through the air, breaking the moment between them. Alex hesitated, glancing down at the screen, and Emma caught a glimpse of the name on the caller ID: Victoria.
He gave her a quick, apologetic nod before stepping out into the hallway to take the call. She could hear his muffled voice as he spoke, his tone low and cautious. Emma’s grip tightened on her cup, a knot forming in her stomach. Even here, in the privacy of her own home, Victoria’s presence loomed, casting a shadow over everything.
The next morning, Emma returned to work, though every step through the hallways of Barrett Industries felt heavy. She could feel the eyes on her, a mixture of curiosity and judgment as whispers followed her down the corridor. She knew Victoria was behind the sudden shift in atmosphere, using her influence to orchestrate a quiet campaign against her. Every glance, every whispered comment seemed strategically placed to wear her down.
Emma reached her office and settled into her chair, opening the laptop to begin her work. But as she reviewed her files, a sinking feeling washed over her. Documents she’d carefully organized were missing, altered without her permission and some confidential reports had been accessed without her authorization.
Her gaze sharpened as she scanned the logs, realizing someone had been tampering with her work. Her stomach twisted in anger and frustration. She knew exactly who would go to such lengths to undermine her.
As if on cue, Marcus appeared in her doorway, his expression dark with concern. “Emma, can I come in?”
She nodded, relieved to see him. He closed the door behind him, a quiet anger simmering beneath his usual calm demeanor.
“I don’t know what Victoria’s playing at, but it’s pretty obvious she’s trying to make your life hell,” he said, his voice low. “I noticed some of the IT logs. Someone’s been accessing your files remotely, and I’d bet my last dollar that Victoria’s pulling the strings.”
Emma sighed, rubbing her temples. “I suspected as much. She’s not subtle. But if I confront her without proof, she’ll just deny it and make me look paranoid.”
Marcus crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing in thought. “I can help. I’ll start digging through security logs and see what I can find. If she’s messing with your work, we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
She offered him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Marc. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Hey, I’ve always got you, Em,” he said with a warm smile. “And I won’t let anyone mess with you. Not even her.”
The afternoon brought unwelcome visitor. Diane Barrett swept into Emma’s home office, perfectly coiffed and radiating disapproval. Alex’s mother had always been a force to be reckoned with, but today she came with a specific purpose.
“My dear,” Diane began, settling herself elegantly in a chair, “I think it’s time we discussed arrangements for the future.” She opened her designer handbag, withdrawing an envelope. “The Barrett family has always been generous in such situations.”
Emma stared at the envelope, understanding dawning. “Are you trying to buy me off, Diane?”
“I’m trying to be practical,” Diane corrected smoothly. “Victoria has raised some… concerning points about the nature of your marriage to Alexander. A quiet separation with appropriate compensation would be best for everyone.”
“Everyone meaning Victoria?” Emma’s voice was steel. “Did she help you calculate the appropriate price for your grandchild’s mother?”
Diane’s perfectly composed expression flickered. “You’re upset, dear. Understandable in your condition. But consider carefully before you reject a generous offer.”
“Get out.” Emma’s voice was quiet but firm. “And you can tell Victoria that I’m not for sale.”
“Think of it as compensation for the inconvenience,” Diane replied smoothly, her tone devoid of emotion. “It’s a generous offer, Emma. One that would allow you to avoid the… unpleasantness that might arise from staying.”
Emma clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in being bought off, Mrs. Barrett. This baby isn’t a ‘transition’ or a minor inconvenience — it’s my child. And no amount of money will make me walk away from that.”
Diane’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation breaking through her calm exterior. “Very well,” she said coolly, rising from her seat. “But remember, you chose this path. Don’t expect sympathy if things become… difficult.”
As she walked out, Emma took a steadying breath, her heart pounding. The Barrett family seemed determined to push her out, but she wouldn’t be intimidated. Not by Diane, and certainly not by Victoria.
Later that day, Alex called her into his office, the unsigned divorce papers still sitting between them like a physical manifestation of their impasse. The confrontation they’d been avoiding all week could no longer be postponed.
“Your mother tried to buy me off today,” Emma said conversationally, watching Alex’s reaction. “Victoria’s idea, I assume?”
Alex’s hands clenched on his desk. “I didn’t know.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know, Alex.” Emma leaned forward. “Or maybe you just don’t want to know.”
“Emma —”
“No,” she cut him off. “For once, you’re going to listen. You want me to sign these papers? Fine. But first, look me in the eye and tell me you feel nothing for me. Tell me Shanghai meant nothing. Tell me this past year has just been business for you.”
