Chapter 45
Emily’s POV
Nina and I strolled through the furniture store, my mind heavy with fear and worry. We were picking out new pieces for my new house, but the task felt more overwhelming than it should have.
Every few steps, my thoughts drifted back to the fire and the fact that someone had tried to kill me again. This was the fourth time. The weight. of it settled in my chest, cold and unrelenting. What if the killer succeeded next time? What if I wouldn’t be around to see Zane grow up?
I reached out to touch the edge of a sleek wooden coffee table, but my fingers trembled. Nina, sensing my unease, placed a comforting hand on my arm. “Emily,” she said softly, “you can’t let this fear control you. I know it’s terrifying, but you’re stronger than this.”
I managed a weak smile, appreciating her words, but the knot of fear inside me was hard to unravel. “I don’t know, Nina,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if next time, they succeed? What if I never see Zane again?”
Nina sighed, her eyes filled with concern. “I can’t imagine how scared you. must feel, but we’ll figure this out. You’ve already escaped death four times. You’re tough, Emily. And Zane needs you to be.”
I nodded, but the gnawing anxiety refused to leave. I looked around the
Chapter 45
store, trying to distract myself by examining the furniture, but nothing really caught my eye. My mind kept going back to Zane, to the danger that loomed over us.
“Come on,” Nina said, giving my arm a gentle tug. “Let’s take a break. There’s a dessert shop around the corner. We’ll grab something sweet and forget about all this for a little while.”
Grateful for the suggestion, I followed her out of the store and into the bright afternoon sunlight. The dessert shop was cozy, with pastel–colored walls and the sweet scent of sugar and chocolate filling the air. We ordered ice cream, and for a brief moment, the heaviness in my chest. eased as the cool sweetness melted on my tongue.
“So,” Nina said with a mischievous smile, breaking the silence. “How’s Frank in the bedroom?”
I nearly choked on my ice cream, caught off guard by her boldness. “Nina!” I laughed, but I couldn’t help the blush that crept up my cheeks. “You can’t just ask that.”
“Of course I can,” she teased, grinning. “It’s what friends do. So spill. Is he any good?”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. “He’s… amazing,” I admitted, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ve never felt this way before with anyone. He makes me feel… wanted, in ways I didn’t even know I needed.”
Nina leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “That’s what I’
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m talking about! Good for you, Emily. You deserve that.”
Before I could reply, she smirked and added, “And now that we’re sharing, let me tell you about Tyler and me-
I quickly cut her off, laughing and shaking my head. “Nope! No way. I do not need to hear about my brother in that context, thank you very much!”
Nina burst into laughter, and for the first time that day, I felt genuinely lighthearted. The fear and anxiety that had been weighing me down seemed to lift, if only for a little while. We finished our ice cream, and after saying our goodbyes, I headed to the parking lot, feeling better than I had in days.
But that peace didn’t last long.
As I made my way to my car, I spotted Tyler and Lily standing by a black SUV. My heart sank. The last thing I needed was to deal with Lily’s drama. I tried to walk past them, hoping to avoid a confrontation, but Lily caught sight of me and immediately stepped in my path.
“You should be happy,” Lily said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Keith and I broke up. Isn’t that what you wanted all along?”
I stared at her, surprised but not entirely sure what to say. Her breakup with Keith had nothing to do with me. I crossed my arms, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t see how that’s my problem, Lily. Take care of your own issues.”
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I glanced at Tyler, silently pleading for him to rein his sister in, but he just stood there, watching the exchange unfold. “Tyler, why don’t you take care of your sister?” I said, my patience thinning.
He raised an eyebrow, his voice cool. “You’re my little sister too, Emily. You know that.”
I shook my head. “I’m not the same as her,” I said, my gaze hardening as I turned to walk away.
But before I could take another step, Lily blocked my path again. “Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily,” she hissed. “You think you’ve won because Keith dumped me? You think Zane’s safe? Think again. I’ll make that bastard pay. He’s one of the reasons we broke up.”
Something inside me snapped. Without thinking, I grabbed Lily and shoved her against the side of the truck, pressing the cold barrel of a gun I kept for self–defense to her temple. The look of shock on her face was almost satisfying.
“Say one more word about my son, and I swear I’ll end you right here,” I growled, my voice low and deadly.
Tyler stepped forward, his eyes wide with panic. “Emily, let her go. Please. Don’t do this.”
Lily’s eyes were filled with fear, her tough exterior crumbling in the face of my threat. I leaned in closer, my voice a dangerous whisper. “If you ever come near Zane, or threaten him again, I will not hesitate to kill you.
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Chapter 45
Do you understand me?”
Lily nodded, her bravado shattered. I released her, stepping back as she gasped for air. Tyler rushed to her side, his face pale as he looked between us.
I turned to leave, but before I did, I glanced over my shoulder at Lily. “What happened to you?” I asked, my voice soft but filled with disappointment. “You’re not the woman Keith used to love. You’ve become someone I barely recognize. Was he really worth all of this?”
Lily didn’t respond, too shaken to speak. I walked away, my heart. pounding in my chest, knowing that this wouldn’t be the last time we’d face off. But for now, I had sent my message loud and clear. No one would ever come between me and my son. Not again.
