Bound By Vengeance, Freed By Love

Chapter4

After her run-in with Daniel at the grocery store, Emily had anticipated silence, but she should have known better. Daniel never left anything unattended. He was the kind that would prod and prod until he discovered a weakness—until he got the last word.

A message from an unidentified number buzzed on her phone:

You move quickly. I hope he's worth it.

Emily felt sick in her stomach. She was certain who it was. Daniel.

With a sharp exhale, she erased the message. Daniel would always throw out bait and wait for a response. And she still felt something in spite of everything. It's a persistent question, not love or longing. Had she been able to correct the mistake that had been their marriage?

Of course, it was absurd. Long before the divorce, they had been drifting apart. He had ignored her, denigrated her, and behaved as though she were merely a lovely addition to his life. Nevertheless, she also recalled the enjoyable moments. The times he had been endearing, when he had made her laugh. Although it was simpler to act as though those moments had never happened, they did. Late at night, she occasionally questioned whether she had failed as much as he had.

She felt uneasy at the thought.

She tried to ignore it and concentrate on her work, but it was difficult. She kept thinking about last night, the candlelit restaurant, Nathaniel's playful smirk, and how his presence had been both natural and overwhelming. With him, she had experienced an unknown and thrilling sensation. A spark.

Daniel was now attempting to crush it before it could even get a chance.

When she got to work the following morning, she heard her coworkers whispering softly. She received a few sidelong glances, and her friend Claire leaned in with a sly smile when she eventually sat at her desk.

"You and Nathaniel Cross, then?" Claire made fun of it.

Emily blinked. "What?"

After taking out her phone, Claire showed Emily a grainy picture she had taken outside the eatery. She and Nathaniel were clearly together, mid-laugh, his body slanting toward hers in that carefree manner that gave him a playful yet authoritative appearance. Even worse was the headline underneath it.

Is Emily Carter Pursuing Power After Divorce and Becoming a Billionaire?

Her stomach fell. "Where did this originate?"

Claire gave a shrug. A blog that spreads rumors. However, people are conversing. The rumors were not subtly fueled by your ex-husband.

Naturally. Daniel. He was fabricating the story to make her appear desperate, as though she was pursuing Nathaniel rather than the other way around.

Emily's fists clenched. He wanted her to doubt herself and her decisions, and this was exactly what he wanted. Worst of all, it was functioning.

Emily shoved the phone back toward Claire and muttered, "People are idiots."

Claire arched an eyebrow. "All right, but do you really see him?" Because I am officially jealous of who you are, girl. That guy is—

Emily interrupted, even though the words were awkward for her to say. "I'm not seeing him." Even though she didn't know Nathaniel well, they felt a genuine connection.

Claire glared at her. "Perhaps not just yet."

Emily rubbed her temples and sighed. "This is not something I have time for."

"The internet seems to believe that you do."

Her phone rang once more that afternoon. She responded this time.

"Daniel, what do you want?"

He mockingly spoke in a smooth voice. Oh, I just wanted to check in. You seem to be leaving a lasting impression on Cross.

"Are you following me?" She lost her temper.

Daniel laughed. "Emily, you're not that important."

Yet here he was, observing.

He went on, "You know, people are beginning to wonder." How long has this relationship with Cross lasted? Perhaps prior to the divorce?

She gasped. "Are you making any accusations against me?"

He was quiet for a moment. It's amusing. You never gave me the same look you gave him last night.

Emily tightened her hold on the phone. "Perhaps because you never offered me an excuse."

Not a word.

Then his voice became icy. "Be careful, Emily. You have no idea what you're getting into."

She was shaken when the call ended.

Daniel was stirring things up and making her doubt things. However, underneath all the annoyance and rage, there was something else. She couldn't quite get rid of the regretful thread.

Had she really been the first to let go? Had she interpreted everything incorrectly?

Or was it just Daniel, as he always did, drawing her back into his web?

Emily was preoccupied and absorbed in her thoughts for the remainder of the afternoon. Even though she was aware that she should avoid falling into Daniel's trap, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. She needed someone to talk to.

She texted Nathaniel against her better judgment.

Can we have a conversation?

His reaction was nearly instantaneous.

Naturally. At seven, my driver will come get you.

After a moment of hesitation, she typed back.

I meant a call.

Nathaniel's response was delivered with a smug air.

Better in person.

Despite her sigh, a tiny, hesitant smile appeared on her lips. He would insist on doing things his way, of course.

A sleek black car sped up in front of her apartment that night. With a courteous nod, the driver opened the door for her. Nerves tingling beneath her skin, Emily slipped inside.

Nathaniel was waiting for her at his penthouse with a glass of whiskey in his hand, displaying the same easy confidence that had both fascinated and annoyed her.

He put down his glass and said, "You look troubled."

Emily folded her arms. "Daniel is spreading false information about me."

Nathaniel grinned. "I'm going to assume that he's attempting to make it appear as though you were after me."

Tension pulsing through her, she nodded.

Leaning back against the bar, Nathaniel observed her with an expression that was impossible to read. "You give a damn about what people think?"

"No," she falsely said.

His eyes grew a little darker. "What he thinks matters to you."

Emily took a deep breath. "I simply... I don't want to be the antagonist in his tale."

Before he spoke, Nathaniel looked at her for a long time. Daniel and others alter history to fit their own egos. Not playing is the only way to win.

Emily exhaled sharply. "You can say that with ease."

Nathaniel laughed. "Oh, trust me, my love. I've faced worse."

Emily couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something heavy in his tone.

Nathaniel abruptly said, "You still have feelings for him," and she winced at how direct it was.

"I don't," she blurted out. Too soon.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow in amusement. "So why are you here discussing him rather than taking action?"

Emily parted her lips, then shut them again. She didn't know how to respond.

With an overwhelming presence, Nathaniel took a step closer. Emily, you're at a turning point in your life. You have the option to let him continue to manipulate you or to end it now.

Her heart thumping, she took a sharp breath.

Completed.

Was that what she was prepared for?

Or had Daniel's deceit been sufficient to hold her to a past that had vanished?

Nathaniel tilted his head, anticipating her response.

And for the first time in a long time, Emily was at a loss for words.