Chapter10
1072 Words
Chapter 10: Broken Glass, Shattered Lines
Emerald’s knees ached from scrubbing the marble floors of the Thorne Enterprises executive wing. She kept her head down, shoulders low, trying not to draw attention to herself. This morning, Roman hadn’t spoken a word to her—not even a glare. But she could feel something brewing.
He knew.
She didn’t know how, but he knew she had found the letter. The one from his father. The one she hadn’t dared tell anyone about—not even her sister. She had tucked it beneath the lining of her suitcase, yet somehow, she could feel Roman’s eyes piercing straight through the fabric.
The air felt heavier today. And the walls? They had ears.
Emerald moved quietly through the hallway until she reached the staff corridor. That’s when she heard it—
A loud voice. Aggressive. Followed by a small, panicked one.
“I said clean it again! Are you deaf or just stupid?”
She froze.
That voice—sharp and sneering—belonged to one of the junior executives. The other voice was muffled, broken, trying to form words.
“I’m sorry… I’ll do it again.”
Then came the sound of something hard hitting the floor—a mop bucket, maybe. And the mocking laughter that followed.
Emerald stepped forward, heart pounding. She turned the corner and her breath left her all at once.
It was her father.
Charles Davis was standing there in worn-out gray coveralls, holding a mop like it was the only thing left tethering him to this earth. Two young employees towered over him, one pointing a finger in his face, the other laughing like they were watching a comedy.
Emerald’s scream cut through the corridor.
“Stop it!”
Everyone turned.
She stormed toward them, eyes blazing. “Get away from him!”
The executives backed off, confused and stunned.
Charles looked like he wanted to disappear. “Emerald… no. Don’t—don’t make a scene.”
“A scene? Dad, what are you doing here?”
His eyes filled with shame, darting between her and the others. “It’s just work. That’s all.”
She turned sharply, scanning the halls.
“Where is he?!”
By the time she reached Roman’s office, the anger inside her was white-hot. The receptionist barely had time to stop her.
She barged in.
Roman stood behind his desk, unfazed, a glass of water in his hand. He looked up slowly, like he had been expecting her.
“What the hell is my father doing here?” she demanded.
He didn’t answer.
“I asked you a question, Roman!”
He set the glass down. “Lower your voice.”
“I won’t. You said the deal was between me and you. I took this job to keep him out of your grip. So why is he here, cleaning toilets and being mocked like he’s worthless?!”
Roman walked around the desk, slow and deliberate. “You’re getting too comfortable. I thought it was time to remind you who you’re dealing with.”
Her hands shook. “You’re a monster.”
“No,” he said calmly, “I’m a man who kept his word." I didn’t lay a hand on your family. But maybe I should have clarified—being safe doesn’t mean being spared.”
Tears burned at her eyes. “He’s an old man. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Roman’s eyes darkened. “If you behave well, maybe I’ll tell your father to go home. Maybe.”
Her heart pounded.
“But if you don’t...” He stepped closer. "I’ll find new ways to make you regret breathing. Who knows who I’ll visit next? Your sweet sister? Or maybe your sick mother... if she’s still breathing."
The world stopped.
Something inside Emerald snapped.
Her hand moved before her mind did.
SLAP.
The sound echoed through the office like a gunshot.
Roman’s head turned with the force of it. He stood frozen, jaw clenched, cheeks flaming red.
Neither of them spoke.
Then he slowly turned back to face her. His voice dropped to a whisper—soft, dangerous.
“You’ll regret that.”
“I already regret everything,” she spat. “Starting with trusting you.”
He stepped even closer, so close she could feel the heat radiating off his body. “You think you’ve seen cruelty? You’ve barely scratched the surface.”
Emerald didn’t flinch. “Then show me. Because whatever game you’re playing, I’m done being the pawn.”
Roman stared at her for a long moment. His lips curled into a cruel smirk.
“Good,” he whispered. “Because pawns die first.”
Emerald’s stomach turned.
And yet, as she turned and stormed out of his office, she didn’t cry.
She didn’t even tremble.
She was done being broken.
And Roman Thorne had no idea the storm he had just unleashed.
---
Down the hallway, Charles Davis stood silently by the janitor's closet. He had witnessed most of it—the slap, the fire in his daughter’s eyes.
He had never seen her like that before.
Strong. Furious. Brave.
The man who once swore he would protect his children now watches his daughter do what he hadn’t been able to—stand up to power.
But even he knew, as he turned and quietly picked up his mop, that the war had only just begun.
---
Back in his office, Roman didn’t move for a long while.
He stood where she had left him, cheek still stinging, glass still untouched.
He should have felt rage. Dominance. Triumph.
Instead, all he felt was heat under his skin.
And something else he didn’t want to name.
Because when Emerald’s eyes blazed, it wasn’t just anger he saw.
It was something like pain. Like betrayal. Like… heartbreak.
He poured himself another drink.
This time, his hands weren’t steady.
---
Somewhere deep in the building, Emerald opened her locker and shoved her uniform inside.
She stared at herself in the mirror, eyes red, lips tight.
The letter was still tucked in her suitcase at home.
Maybe it was time she did something with it.
Expose the truth.
Or use it as a weapon.
Either way, she was done playing.
By his rules.
Let Roman Thorne prepare for war.
Because this time, the girl he crushed under his heel was coming back with fire.
And the game was about to change.
- Writer
