Chapter 50
Emma sat in the back of the town car as it navigated the busy streets of Manhattan, her gaze fixed on the skyline. The city moved around her in its usual chaotic rhythm, but inside, she was calm, her resolve unshakable.
She had spent the past few days preparing for this meeting, outlining every condition, every boundary she needed to set if she were to return to Barrett Industries. This wasn’t just about the company or the rumors; it was about reclaiming her identity, her voice, and her future.
When the car pulled up to the Barrett Industries building, Emma exhaled slowly, her fingers briefly brushing against the small swell of her belly.
This is for them, she reminded herself.
For me.
For us.
She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the pavement as she walked toward the towering glass doors.
Alex was waiting for her in his office, standing near the expansive windows that overlooked the city. The morning light streamed in behind him, casting his silhouette in sharp relief. He turned when the door opened, his expression unreadable but his posture tense.
“Emma,” he said, his voice careful but warm.
“Alex,” she replied, her tone steady.
He gestured toward the seating area, where two leather chairs faced a low glass coffee table. “Shall we sit?”
Emma nodded, crossing the room with measured steps. She placed her bag on the floor and sat, her back straight and her gaze unwavering. Alex followed suit, sitting opposite her, his hands resting on his knees.
The tension in the room was palpable as Emma stood across from Alex, her posture straight, her expression carefully neutral. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words, memories, and emotions neither was ready to acknowledge outright. For a long moment, neither spoke, their gazes locked as if daring the other to break the silence.
Finally, Emma’s voice cut through the stillness, firm and steady. “I’m here to discuss terms,” she said. “And I need to know that you’re prepared to respect them.”
Alex nodded immediately, his gaze unwavering. “Of course. Whatever you need.”
Emma arched an eyebrow, skepticism flashing across her face. “It’s not that simple, Alex. This isn’t just about the company—it’s about me. My reputation, my independence, my ability to move forward without being tied to you or anyone else.”
“I understand,” Alex said, his tone laced with sincerity. He took a step closer, his movements deliberate but non-threatening. “And I’m not here to control you, Emma. I want to support you. Whatever it takes to help you succeed, I’ll do it.”
Emma leaned forward slightly, her arms crossed in front of her, her eyes narrowing. “Then let’s be clear. First, I want full control over my role. No interference, no micromanaging. If I come back, I’m not just a figurehead—I’m making decisions, and I expect them to be respected.”
“Done,” Alex replied without hesitation, his voice firm.
Emma studied him, as if searching for cracks in his resolve. “Second,” she continued, her tone sharper now, “I don’t want this to be seen as a reconciliation between us. Professionally, we can collaborate, but personally… That’s off the table. I need boundaries, Alex. Clear ones.”
Alex’s jaw tightened slightly, his expression hardening for just a moment before he gave a small nod. “Understood. I’ll keep it professional.”
“Good,” Emma said, her tone softening just a fraction. “Third, I want transparency. No secrets, no hidden agendas. If there’s something I need to know—whether it’s about the company or the media—I expect to be informed immediately.”
Alex leaned back slightly, his hands resting on the edge of his desk. His expression was resolute, his tone unwavering. “Agreed. You’ll be kept in the loop on everything.”
Emma held his gaze, her eyes searching his for any flicker of insincerity. But Alex didn’t waver, his sincerity evident in the way he stood, open and unguarded.
“Alright,” she said finally, her voice quieter but still firm. “Then we have a deal.”
Relief flashed in Alex’s eyes, though he quickly masked it with a composed expression. “Thank you, Emma. You have no idea how much this means—to me, to the company. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Emma stood, her movements deliberate, her gaze still fixed on Alex. “I hope not. Because if you go back on any of these terms, Alex, I’m gone. And I won’t look back.”
Alex stood as well, his expression somber but determined. “You have my word, Emma. I won’t let you down.”
She nodded, reaching for her bag. “I’ll have my team review the paperwork and finalize the arrangements. Until then, I’ll focus on preparing for the transition.”
As Emma turned to leave, the tension in the room shifted, the weight of their conversation replaced by an undercurrent of something unspoken. Just as her hand reached the door handle, Alex’s voice broke the silence, softer this time.
“Emma.”
She paused, her back to him, her fingers lingering on the cool metal. Slowly, she turned to face him.
“For what it’s worth…” Alex hesitated, his voice catching for a moment before he continued, his tone filled with emotion. “I’m proud of you. For everything you’ve done, everything you’ve fought for. You’re… stronger than anyone I’ve ever known.”
Emma’s breath hitched slightly, the unexpected words piercing through her carefully constructed armor. For a fleeting moment, her composure faltered, her eyes betraying a flicker of vulnerability. But she quickly straightened, her expression hardening once more.
“Thank you, Alex,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with something softer. “But I don’t need your approval. I need your respect.”
“You already have it,” Alex said quietly, his gaze unwavering. “You always had.”
Emma’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she gave a small nod before turning back to the door.
As Emma reached for the door handle, Alex’s voice stopped her. It was softer than before, almost tentative.
“Emma… wait.”
She paused but didn’t turn around immediately, her hand still resting on the handle. “What is it, Alex?”
He hesitated, running a hand through his hair, his composed facade cracking just slightly. “How… How is the pregnancy goinng? Are you doing okay? Is the baby healthy?”
Emma turned slowly, her expression unreadable as she faced him. His gray eyes were filled with genuine concern, and for a brief moment, the tension between them softened.
“I’m fine,” she said cautiously. “The baby’s fine, too.”
Alex exhaled deeply, a flicker of relief crossing his face before it was replaced by regret. He stepped closer, his voice low and earnest.
“I need to be part of this, Emma. I should have been there from the start—to support you, to share this with you. I know I haven’t been close enough when you needed me, but… please. Let me make it right. Let me be there for you and the baby.”
Emma’s eyes searched his face, trying to gauge his sincerity. The vulnerability she saw there was unexpected, and it took her a moment to find her voice.
For a long moment, she said nothing, her expression wavering between skepticism and something softer. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady but laced with emotion.
“There’s something you should know,” she said. “It’s not just one baby, Alex. They’re twins.”
Alex’s eyes widened, the weight of her words hitting him like a tidal wave. “Twins,” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
Emma nodded, her arms crossing in front of her as if to shield herself from the storm of emotions swirling between them. “Yes. Twins.”
Without another word, she walked out, her heels clicking against the polished floor, each step echoing in the silence of the room.
