The Proposal
625 Words
The silence in Alexander's penthouse was suffocating.
"They found your mother."
Those four words refused to leave my mind.
My hands trembled as I stared at Alexander, searching his face for some sign that this was another misunderstanding. But there was none. His expression remained calm, though I could see the tension in his clenched jaw.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"One of The Circle's safe houses."
"And she asked for me?"
He nodded once.
"Specifically."
A chill ran down my spine.
The woman I had believed was dead for fifteen years suddenly wanted to meet me. Not to apologize. Not to explain. But after her organization had attacked Alexander's headquarters and hunted my unborn children.
Nothing about that felt like a mother's love.
Richard Kingston entered the living room without knocking, followed by two members of Alexander's security team.
"I've just received the report," Richard said. "Olivia has sent another message."
Alexander looked up sharply.
"What does she want?"
Richard placed a sealed envelope on the coffee table.
"She says she'll only negotiate with Emma."
My stomach tightened.
Alexander picked up the envelope and opened it carefully. Inside was a single sheet of paper.
He read it in silence before handing it to me.
The message was handwritten.
Come alone if you want the truth.
Bring no police.
Bring no security.
If you refuse, your children will pay the price.
There was no signature.
There didn't need to be.
My breathing became uneven.
Richard spoke first.
"It's a trap."
Alexander folded the paper.
"I know."
"So we're not going."
I looked at both men.
"What if she really knows something important?"
Alexander turned to me immediately.
"No."
"What if—"
"No, Emma."
His voice was firm but not angry.
"I'm not risking your life."
I swallowed hard.
"My whole life has been a lie. Don't I deserve answers?"
"You deserve to stay alive."
His words caught me off guard.
Richard watched us quietly before clearing his throat.
"There's another issue."
Alexander frowned.
"What?"
"The media."
Almost on cue, one of the televisions in the room flashed with breaking news.
A reporter stood outside Kingston Global Headquarters.
BREAKING NEWS: Billionaire CEO Alexander Kingston Linked to Mystery Woman Following Headquarters Explosion.
Photographs appeared on the screen.
Me.
Walking into the building.
Alexander shielding me during the explosion.
Security escorting us away.
My face turned pale.
"How did they get those pictures?"
Richard's expression darkened.
"They were leaked."
Alexander muttered something under his breath.
The reporter continued.
"Sources claim the unidentified woman may be carrying Alexander Kingston's child, though Kingston Global has declined to comment..."
Richard switched off the television.
"The rumors will only get worse."
I felt sick.
"My apartment was already attacked."
Richard nodded.
"And now every journalist in the country will be looking for you."
Alexander leaned against the window, deep in thought.
Finally, he spoke.
"There is only one way to stop the speculation."
Richard gave a knowing smile.
"I was hoping you'd realize that."
Alexander turned toward me.
His gray eyes met mine.
There was no hesitation in them now.
Only determination.
"Emma."
My heartbeat quickened.
"I've spent my entire life making business decisions based on logic."
I listened without speaking.
"This isn't how I imagined asking anyone."
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
"But circumstances have changed."
He reached into his jacket pocket.
Richard's eyebrows rose.
Even he looked surprised.
Alexander pulled out a small velvet box.
I stared at it.
Confused.
Slowly, he walked toward me.
Then, in front of his grandfather and the security team, he opened the box.
Inside was a breathtaking diamond ring.
The room became perfectly still.
Alexander looked directly into my eyes.
"Emma Carter..."
He took a slow breath.
"Will you marry me?"
- Writer
