The Choice
The atmosphere in Alex’s penthouse was tense, the air thick with unspoken words as Emma unpacked the few belongings she’d brought with her. After her discharge from the hospital, Alex had been insistent that she stay with him until she fully recovered, arguing that his place was safer and closer to the doctors in case of any complications with her pregnancy. She’d resisted initially, but he’d worn her down, his concern palpable and unyielding.
“This isn’t up for discussion,” Alex said, his voice brooking no argument as he supervised the movers bringing Emma’s belongings into his penthouse. “The doctors said you need constant monitoring, and my home has better security.”
Emma watched from the plush sofa where Alex had insisted she rest, feeling simultaneously touched and trapped by his protectiveness. Since her release from the hospital three days ago, he’d transformed into an oddly endearing combination of fierce guardian and anxious father-to-be.
She looked around the guest room he’d prepared for her, noticing the fresh flowers by the bedside table and the carefully placed essentials he’d stocked in the bathroom. The gestures were thoughtful, personal, and strangely intimate, creating an undercurrent of tension that she wasn’t sure how to navigate.
As she finished arranging her things, a knock sounded on her door. She turned to see Alex standing in the doorway, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Settling in alright?” he asked, his tone casual, though his eyes held a hint of something deeper.
Emma nodded, forcing herself to match his casual tone. “Yes, thank you. It’s… more than I expected.”
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him, his gaze intense as he watched her. “I just want you to feel comfortable here, Emma. I know… things have been difficult.”
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their shared history pressing down on them. She could feel the warmth of his presence, the way his gaze lingered on her, and despite herself, she felt her heart racing.
“Thank you, Alex,” she said finally, her voice barely a whisper.
He nodded, his expression softening as he took a step closer. “Emma, I know I haven’t been the husband you deserved. But I want to protect you and our child. Whatever that takes, I’m willing to do it.”
The sincerity in his voice left her momentarily speechless, and she looked away, afraid he might see the vulnerability in her eyes. She’d spent so long building up her defenses, and now, with him standing so close, she could feel those walls beginning to crumble.
The next day, Emma returned to work against Alex’s wishes, determined to reclaim some sense of normalcy. She had just settled into her office when Marcus appeared, his expression serious.
“Emma, I’ve found something,” he said, glancing around to ensure no one was within earshot before stepping inside and closing the door. “It’s about Victoria. You were right about her pregnancy — it’s fake.”
Emma’s eyes widened, her heart pounding. “Are you sure?”
He nodded, pulling out a file from his briefcase and handing it to her. “I have medical records and testimonies from doctors who’ve known her. This isn’t the first time she’s used a fabricated pregnancy to manipulate someone. She’s done it before, with other men, other families.”
Emma felt a surge of both relief and anger. Victoria’s lies were unraveling, but the damage she’d already done would take time to repair. “Marc, thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. “I can’t believe she almost got away with it again.”
“We can’t let her,” he replied firmly. “Alex deserves to know the truth, and the company needs to see her for who she really is.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a soft knock on the door, and they turned to see Diane Barrett standing in the doorway, her gaze fixed on Emma. There was an intensity in Diane’s eyes that made Emma’s stomach churn with anticipation.
“May I have a word with you, Emma?” she asked, tone deceptively calm.
Jack gave Emma a supportive nod before slipping out, leaving her alone with Diane. As soon as he was gone, Diane closed the door and turned to face Emma, her expression hardening.
“I wanted to apologize, Emma,” she began, her voice colder than her words suggested. “I was wrong to underestimate you. It’s clear that you’ve been a stabilizing force in Alex’s life, something that… certain other people never were.”
Emma blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. “Thank you, Mrs. Barrett.”
Diane’s eyes narrowed. “That said, Victoria’s been showing a side of herself that I hadn’t seen in years. I didn’t realize how deep her manipulations went, nor how much of a threat she could be to our family.”
Emma felt a rush of vindication but kept her expression neutral. “Victoria has… her own motives.”
“Indeed,” Diane said, her voice laced with disdain. “If you’re willing, I’d like your help in exposing her for what she is. The Barretts don’t actually tolerate dishonesty and it’s time the board knows the truth.”
The opportunity to expose Victoria came faster than Emma had anticipated. That afternoon, in a board meeting packed with executives and family members, Victoria strode in confidently, unaware that her schemes were beginning to unravel. Diane took her place at the head of the table, casting a long, deliberate look at Victoria before addressing the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Diane began, her voice calm but sharp. “We have an issue that must be addressed — a deception that has gone on too long.”
Victoria’s face paled as Diane’s words registered, but she quickly masked her fear with a confident smile. “Diane, what are you talking about?”
Diane’s gaze sharpened. “I’m talking about lies, Victoria. Lies that have endangered this company and this family. You’ve claimed to be carrying Alex’s child, but the medical records we’ve uncovered suggest otherwise.”
A collective gasp swept through the room as Diane held up the file, opening it to reveal the proof of Victoria’s deception. Emma felt a surge of satisfaction as she watched the color drain from Victoria’s face, her façade slipping under the weight of the evidence.
“That’s… that’s private!” Victoria protested, her voice trembling. “You have no right — ”
“I have every right,” Diane cut her off, her tone icy. “You’ve manipulated and lied your way into this company, but we won’t let you destroy it from within.”
The board members exchanged murmurs, their expressions shifting from shock to disgust as Diane laid out the extent of Victoria’s lies. Emma could see the disbelief and anger in their faces, their trust in Victoria shattered.
Finally, Alex spoke, his voice laced with a quiet fury. “Victoria,” he said, his gaze hard, “I trusted you once, but I was blind to what you really are. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Victoria’s mask finally cracked, her calm slipping into rage. She turned on Emma, her voice venomous. “You think you’ve won, Emma? This company, this family — it was never yours and it never will be. You’re nothing but an outsider, a replacement.”
Emma met her gaze, her voice steady. “That may be, but at least I’m honest about who I am. Unlike you.”
Victoria sneered, her expression twisted with hatred. She turned back to Alex, desperation shining in her eyes. “Alex, please. You need me. Think of the merger, the company’s future. Without me, you’ll lose everything.”
Alex’s expression softened, but there was no doubt in his eyes as he looked at Emma, then back at Victoria.
But Victoria wasn’t finished. She straightened, her voice cold and cutting. “Choose, Alex,” she demanded, her tone steel. “It’s either your company’s future with me or your pregnant wife. You can’t have both.”
