Bound By Fortune.

Chapter3

The Midnight Meeting.

Emma couldn’t sleep. The message kept flashing in her mind, over and over. Who sent it? And what information are they still withholding? Her thoughts wandered until her mind ceased giving her imagination.

By 11:45 p.m., she was on her way, heading to the meeting place. The streets were quiet, she was scared of every strange movement of the night.

Her emotion was extremely in a state of chaos, with her mind contemplating.Was this a trap? Was she walking into something dangerous?

She got to the location—a small, Neglected park, hidden away from the main roads. The vicinity was cold, and she hugged her coat tightly around her, eyes glancing around for any sign of movement.

“Emma.”

She turned quickly, feeling her heart beat rapidly. A person emerged from behind a tree. As they approached each other, she could see it was a woman, her face partially covered in a hood.

“Can you tell me who you are?” Emma demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The woman moved her hood backward, revealing sharp features and dark eyes. “My name is not necessary. What matters is what I have to tell you.”

“Why should I trust you?” Emma asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Because you have no one else to trust,” the woman replied bluntly. “And because your life depends on it.”

Emma’s breath caught. “What do you mean? What is happening?”

The woman quickly looked around, making sure there was no third party. “How much intel do you actually have regarding Alexander Reid?”

Emma frowned. “I know he’s a powerful businessman. I know he wants to protect me.”

The woman smiled bitterly. “Protect you? That’s what he told you?”

“Yes,” Emma said, confusion creeping in. “Is that not accurate?”

“Alexander Reid is a man with secrets—dangerous secrets,” the woman said, she whispered.

“He’s not just some businessman. He’s involved in things you can’t even imagine.”

“Like what?” Emma asked, her heart beating rapidly on her chest.

“Just as your mother’s death,” the woman replied, in eye contact with Emma’s. “She was getting close to saying something—something Alexander didn’t want her to find out.”

Emma moved back a few paces, she felt a twisting sensation in her stomach. “Are you saying... He was involved in it?”

“I'm saying that he is not the person you believe him to be,” the woman said, stepping closer.

“And if you marry him, You will be bound to a man who is determined to defend his empire at any cost—even if it means destroying everyone around him.”

Emma felt tears starting to form in her eyes, her mind in a confused state. “Why are you telling me this? Why now?”

“You have a right to know the truth,” the woman whispered gently. “And because if you continue with this marriage, You will never be able to get away from him. He’ll control you, just like he controlled your father.”

“My father?” Emma whispered, barely able to process the information. “How is my father connected to this situation?”

The woman paused briefly, Then let out a deep breath. “Your father was desperate. He made deals—bad ones—to keep the company alive.

Alexander found out and used it against him. The marriage was his way of keeping everything under his thumb.”

Emma felt like her world was spinning, she began to shed tears. “So all of this... the deal, the marriage... everything has been deceiving?”

“Not entirely,” the woman said gently. “Your father did it to protect you. But Alexander? He did it to protect himself.”

Emma signaled by shaking her head, trying to figure out if it all made sense.

“Why this free information? What do you tend to gain?”

The woman’s expression softened, and for a moment, Emma saw something almost like pity in her eyes.

“I once trusted Alexander too. I was once a victim of his scheme because I underestimated his capabilities. I don't want you to repeat the same errors that I made..”

Emma wiped tears from her eyes, Having difficulty breathing. “What should I do? How do I get out of this?”

The woman came a little closer, so that her voice would be lowered. “There’s an escape route but it involves taking risks. You have to disappear—leave everything behind. It’s the only way to escape him.”

“Disappear?” Emma echoed, her voice trembling. “I can’t just run away. What about my father? What about... everything?”

“If you decide to remain, you will find yourself stuck,” the woman was adamant in her belief.

“Once you're married to Alexander, he will not allow you to leave. You’ll be his forever, bound by his lies and his power.”

Emma felt her heart breaking. She found it hard to believe that this was actually happening.

Her entire understanding of the situation was falling apart, and she didn't know what to believe any more, and who to turn to.

“What would be the fate of my father?” she asked again, Her voice trembling. “What will happen to him if I run away?”

“He made his choice,” the woman said sadly. “But you don’t have to pay for his mistakes. You can still save yourself.”

Emma looked at the woman, feeling consumed by fear and uncertainty. “How can I be sure that you are being honest?”

“Follow your gut instincts, Emma,” the woman said, maintaining eye contact. “You have a feeling that something is wrong deep inside. You know he’s hiding something.”

Emma was shocked and felt something was wrong. She always felt Alexander was nervous and unfriendly.

Was it truly possible for her to embark on such a drastic change? Was she able to walk away from her current life and begin anew?

“Consider it,” the woman advised, stepping backward, leaving the park. “But ensure your decision is quick. Time is running out.”

Emma watched the woman exited her presence, her mind filled with fear and confusion.

She didn’t know what to do, who to trust. But one thing was clear—her life was in danger, And she was faced with a decision she had to make.

The next day, Emma went on a visit to Alexander in his office. He welcomed her with his usual calm and collected attitude, studying her expression as though attempting to understand what she was thinking.

“You look exhausted,” he observed, Gesturing for her to take a seat. “Did you have trouble sleeping?

Emma forced a smile, trying to hide the conflict inside her. “Just a lot on my mind.”

“Understandable,” he said, in a relaxing mood in his chair. “Have you thought about our discussion? About the marriage?”

Emma paused, She felt her heart racing in her chest. “I have... Before we proceed, there is something I need to know...”

“Certainly,” Alexander said, his eyes fixed “What is it that you wish to know about?”

“What is the reason for your desire to enter into this marriage?” she asked, Her voice remained calm and unwavering, but her hands were shaking in her lap. “I mean, I really want it. What are the benefits for you?

Alexander raised an eyebrow, Clearly caught off guard by the question. “I believed that I had already given an explanation. It is a smart decision that will benefit both of us.”

“But why me?” Emma pressed, her voice gaining strength. “You could have chosen anyone. Why did you choose me?”

He observed her for an extended period, his expression unreadable. “because of your unique qualities, Emma. You’re different from others. You have something they don’t.”

Emma felt her heart race. "What are you trying to say?”

“I mean, you’re strong,” he said, his voice slightly becoming more gentle. “You possess an inner virtue that is unattainable and cannot be contained. That’s something I admire.”

“But is that all?” Emma asked, her voice almost a whisper. “Is there more?”

Alexander's eyes suddenly looked intense, and Emma thought she glimpsed a flash of deep emotion, like sorrow or fear, but it disappeared quickly.

He said mysteriously, "There's always more to the story, Emma, but it's best to keep some things hidden.”

The words made her shiver with fear. “Some things are best left unspoken? Similar to what? My mother's death?”.

Alexander's facial expression showed no emotions, but there was a quick, subtle movement in his eyes. “What about it?”

“Was it truly an accident?” she asked, her voice quivering. “Or was there more to it?”

“Emma,” Alexander said quietly, leaning forward. “I told you the truth.

She found herself in a situation that was not of her making. That's the key detail to understand.”

“But is it the whole truth?” Emma whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “Or just the part you want me to believe?”

“Truth is complicated,” he replied, his tone gentle but firm. “Sometimes, it’s better to protect people from it.”

“Protect people? Or control them?” Emma shot back, her voice cracking with emotion. “Which is it, Alexander?”

He maintained eye contact with her, his expression giving no clues. I am taking the required measures to ensure your safety. That’s all.”

Emma stared at him, her mind spinning with everything the woman had told her.

Could she rely on him? Could she genuinely trust that he was acting on her behalf, or was he simply attempting to control her as the woman alleged?

She was unsure of what to trust anymore, but one thing she was certain of was that she was on the verge of danger, where one misstep could lead to her destruction.

“Emma,” Alexander spoke softly, his voice calling her attention back to the current moment. “You can trust me to keep you safe. I promise you that.”

When she looked into his eyes, she felt a sense of unease, as if something was seriously wrong with the situation.

“I require additional time,” she said finally, she spoke with a trembling voice.

“"Feel free to take as much time as you require," Alexander gently responded. “But remember, time is running out.”

Emma agreed with a rapidly beating heart as she got up. "I'll consider it.”

As she left his office, She was overwhelmed with fear,

doubt, and confusion in her thoughts.

She was unsure of whom to trust or believe and she only knew that time was running out, and she needed to decide soon.