The Real Game Begins
1404 Words
And yet, she felt more in control than she ever had before.
Later that evening, Emma walked downstairs, following the faint sound of conversation.
She found Aiden in the dining room, sitting at the head of a long table, a glass of wine in front of him.
He glanced up as she entered. “You settled in?”
Emma took a seat across from him. “I suppose.”
Aiden set his glass down. “Good. Let’s discuss the rules.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Rules?”
“This marriage is a contract,” Aiden said. “I want to make sure we understand each other.”
Emma leaned back. “Go on.”
“First,” Aiden said, “our relationship remains private for now. No public announcements unless necessary.”
Emma nodded. “That is fine.”
“Second,” Aiden continued, “I expect discretion. No scandals. No unnecessary attention.”
Emma smirked. “You do know who you married, right?”
Aiden met her gaze. “Yes. That is why I am making it clear.”
Emma tilted her head. “Anything else?”
Aiden paused, then said, “We live under the same roof, but our personal lives remain separate.”
Emma studied him for a moment. “No problem.”
Aiden picked up his wine glass again. “Then we have an agreement.”
Emma took a sip of water, watching him carefully.
There was something about him. Something unreadable.
She had agreed to this marriage thinking it would be a simple arrangement.
But something told her that life with Aiden Brooks was going to be anything but simple.
Later that night, as Emma settled into bed, her phone buzzed.
She frowned and picked it up.
A message from Isabel.
Isabel: “I got the proof you needed. Sophia is definitely pregnant. And Davis knows.”
Emma stared at the message, her heartbeat quickening.
She had expected this. She had prepared for it.
But seeing it confirmed sent a thrill through her.
This was it.
The beginning of their downfall.
Emma smirked, tossing her phone onto the nightstand.
Davis and Sophia had played her for a fool for too long.
Now, it was her turn.
“Miss Claire, I have your schedule for today.”
Emma looked up from her phone to see Bryce standing at the entrance of the dining room. He was holding a sleek tablet, his expression calm and professional as always.
She took a sip of her coffee before replying. “My schedule?”
“Yes,” Bryce said. “Mr. Brooks asked me to arrange a few things for you.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Aiden is planning my day now?”
Bryce gave a polite smile. “It is just a few formalities. You are now Mrs. Brooks, after all.”
Emma smirked but said nothing. She leaned back in her chair, waiting for him to continue.
“You will be going to a private boutique this afternoon,” Bryce said, reading from his tablet. “Mr. Brooks has arranged for a personal stylist to help update your wardrobe.”
Emma crossed her arms. “What is wrong with my clothes?”
“Nothing,” Bryce replied smoothly. “But considering your new status, Mr. Brooks thought it would be best if you had more… appropriate attire.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “So, he wants to dress me up like a trophy wife?”
Bryce kept his expression neutral. “You may choose whatever you like. Mr. Brooks simply wants you to have options.”
Emma sighed. She could argue, but what was the point? If Aiden was offering her a wardrobe upgrade, she might as well take advantage of it.
“Fine,” she said. “What else?”
Bryce checked his tablet again. “After that, you have a meeting with Mr. Brooks at his office. He will explain the details once you arrive.”
Emma narrowed her eyes. “A meeting?”
“Yes,” Bryce confirmed. “He said it is important.”
Emma tapped her fingers on the table, thinking. Aiden was full of surprises. She had expected him to ignore her after their marriage, but instead, he was pulling her deeper into his world.
She was not sure if she liked that.
Still, she was curious.
“Alright,” she said, finishing her coffee. “Let’s get this over with.”
Later that afternoon, Emma stood inside an exclusive boutique, surrounded by racks of designer dresses, suits, and accessories.
A well-dressed woman with sharp eyes circled her, analyzing every detail.
“You have a fantastic figure,” the stylist said, adjusting the measuring tape around Emma’s waist. “With the right clothing, you will command attention the moment you step into a room.”
Emma smirked. “I already do.”
The stylist paused before smiling. “Of course. But with Mr. Brooks by your side, expectations will be higher.”
Emma’s smirk faded slightly.
There it was again. That reminder.
She was no longer just Emma Claire. She was now Mrs. Aiden Brooks.
People expected her to play a role.
And she was not sure how she felt about that.
“Try this one,” the stylist said, holding up a fitted black dress with elegant detailing.
Emma sighed but took it. “Let’s see if Aiden’s money is worth it.”
An hour later, Emma walked out of the boutique dressed in a sleek white pantsuit with gold accents. It was powerful. Unapologetic.
Exactly how she wanted to feel.
Bryce nodded approvingly as he opened the car door for her. “Mr. Brooks will be pleased.”
Emma smirked. “Good for him.”
As the car pulled away from the boutique, Emma glanced at her phone.
A message from Isabel.
Isabel: “I have more proof. Sending it now.”
Emma’s heart raced as she opened the attachment.
There it was.
A medical report confirming Sophia’s pregnancy. Along with an image of Davis visiting her at the hospital late at night.
Emma felt a slow, dangerous smile spread across her lips, It was time.
When Emma arrived at Aiden’s office, she was led straight to the top floor.
The secretary barely had time to announce her before Aiden’s voice rang out.
“Let her in.”
Emma pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Aiden was sitting behind his large glass desk, flipping through some documents. He did not look up right away.
“You are late,” he said casually.
Emma smirked. “I was busy spending your money.”
Aiden finally looked up. His dark eyes scanned her outfit before he leaned back in his chair.
“At least it was not wasted,” he remarked.
Emma sat down across from him, crossing her legs. “So, what is this meeting about?”
Aiden slid a folder across the desk. “Your name is in the headlines again.”
Emma raised an eyebrow and picked up the folder.
Inside were several printed articles from different media outlets.
“Emma Claire’s Mysterious Comeback, Coincidence or Power Move?”
“Aiden Brooks Defends Former Model Emma Claire, A New Power Couple?”
“Sophia Leonard’s Disappearance, Was Emma Claire Involved?”
Emma chuckled. “They are really reaching, aren’t they?”
Aiden watched her closely. “I do not care about the gossip. But I do care about my name being dragged into it.”
Emma set the papers down. “So, what do you want me to do?”
“Stay out of trouble,” Aiden said simply.
Emma tilted her head. “I thought you liked trouble.”
Aiden smirked slightly. “I like control. And right now, you are unpredictable.”
Emma leaned forward. “That is what makes me interesting.”
Aiden studied her for a long moment. Then he sighed and closed the folder.
“I have a business dinner tonight,” he said. “You are coming with me.”
Emma blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You are my wife,” Aiden said smoothly. “It is time people see that.”
Emma folded her arms. “I thought we were keeping this quiet.”
“Plans change,” Aiden said.
Emma narrowed her eyes. “And if I refuse?”
Aiden smirked. “Then you will miss a very expensive dinner.”
- Writer
