The CEO's Secret Baby

CHAPTER 10

Emily turned around, the words clanging in her skull as Ava finished speaking. The air between them was thick and heavy with unresolved rage. Ava's smug grin further accentuated the feeling of betrayal deep inside Emily.

Equally startled, Daniel soon found his amazement crossing into anger. Stepping forward toward Ava, his darkened expression found its company in fists clenched at his sides.

"Ava, this isn't a game," Daniel replied, his voice low and menacing. "You don't get to waltz in here and make demands."

Ava's eyes sparkled with triumph as her lips arced into a smile. Daniel. You still act as though this has something to do with business. Never does." Tone dripping with disdain, she turned to Emily. "But by now your precious wife certainly has pieced it together."

But Ava's words cut her, yet she didn't flinch. She knew the fight with Ava was personal; it suddenly felt as though everything had honed into one point of attack: Ava aimed at their connection, the link they had taken so long to build.

Emily whispered, "You won't win," and stepped up to Daniel's side. Her eyes were quiet, but her voice betrayed the suppressed anger that shook her. "You won't come between us whether you do anything."

Ava c****d her head to one side, for a moment as if she listened to what she had to say before she could softly laugh-the sound hollow and mirthless. Oh, beautiful. You have no idea what you're fighting against, do you?

Daniels' patience snapped. "Get out, Ava, he said, voice laced with a rage Emily had seldom seen in him. "Leave today before I make you.

Ava raised an eyebrow, not very pleased. Oh, make me, please? Not even able to touch you, Daniel. Not as per what I know about you. Honeying her eyes, she moved a step closer. "One word from me, and your kingdom collapses. Right now I hold your life and everything you have created.

Emily's heart was racing. She could see tension etched into Daniel's the tight line of his jaw, and the hardly restrained wrath in his eyes. Ava knew she had him cornered.

Then, to Emily's surprise, Daniel un-walled. His hands weren't clenched; he breathed in slowly. "You think you hold all the cards, Ava. Thing is, though, you're no more satiated now than you've ever been.".

Ava's smile faltered, just for a moment. "What are you referring to?"

Daniel said and his eyes flashed intensely. "You think you can mould me the way you did some time back. But that is over. Ava, you have lost because I am not the man who I once was. You may uncover every secret and mistake, but none of that changes the fact that you are nothing to me."

The room silenced itself. Ava's smile disappeared, and an icy stare became the star.

"You want to destroy me, as you are still obsessed," Daniel said, his voice quiet but cutting. But you have yourself destroyed a long time ago. You will never have me anymore. I moved on, and I am not going back."

Ava's face darkened, her hands shaking slightly at her sides. "You're a fool, Daniel," she spat. "You think you could just walk away from this untouched? From my point of view?

Daniel didn't flinch. "I know I can."

For the first time since she'd stepped into the room, Ava looked uncertain. Emily could feel the desperation lurking behind her brittle confidence.

But it wasn't over yet. Not yet.

Ava snapped back to full height, her stoic demeanour reverting to normal. She spoke in a hushed tone, "We'll see about that." "You would regret underestimating me even if you may believe you're secure now."

She spun around and moved toward the door, pausing long enough to give Emily one more glance.

As for you, Emily, let me say I wouldn't get too cosy if I were you."

Emily set her gaze and did not allow Ava the satisfaction of a response. Her heart still racing, she stood firm will stronger than it ever was.

Ava said nothing more, the door shut behind her with a click.

The silence that prevailed was unsustainable. Standing for some time, both Emily and Daniel were thinking about what just happened. Her head spun, Emily was trying to comprehend the extent of the threat Ava had made.

"She's not finished," Emily whispered aloud the anxiety that had gnawed at her since Ava entered. She will keep coming after us.

Daniel turned to her then, softening into her words. He replied, "I know," gliding closer to take her hands in his. "But we will face it together. We will handle whatever Ava throws at us.

Emily looked up at him, her chest tight with love as much as terror. As much as Daniel meant every word, the shadow of Ava loomed big and the struggle was far from over, undeniably.

"She's right about one thing," Emily said softly. "This does hit close to home right now. She is after us, not just after you."

Daniel nodded and pulled her into his arms. "then we defy backwards. Together."

They had their arms around each other, safe in each other's grasp, the storm outside forgotten. But it would not leave Emily's mind that something, something for which they were not prepared, was coming, even as Daniel held her close.

The door was barely closed behind Ava when Emily whirled away from Daniel, pacing across the room as her mind tumbled over itself in wild surmises. It was as though Ava's poisonous presence was yet in the room with her, the ghostly shadow of what had passed, and the weight of her threats thick and stifling about her.

"What does she have on you, Daniel?" Her voice more even than she was feeling, Emily asked. She turned to him, eyes searching for answers on his face. "What is she holding over you?"

Daniel hesitates. Emily's heart skipped as, for just a moment, his usual confidence faltered. His jaw clenched, he raked a hand through his hair.

He replied in a hushed tone, "I thought it was over, Em, " as he stepped closer to her. "A long time ago, I sorted everything with Ava. But she has always been unpredictable. Manipulative.

Emily heard her heartbeat quicken. "What did she mean when she said she could wipe everything?"

Daniel's eyes fell to the floor, stormy inside them. "It's not easy.

"That's not good enough," Emily said, her irritation rising over. "Daniel, I want to know who our opponent is. I can't stay in the dark if she's putting our lives in danger.

He winced, his shoulders sagging under the burden of his confession. " Years ago, I made mistakes when Ava and I were still in love. I was reckless. There were. Business deals, some shady legal dealings. She didn't mind at the time, nor did I.

Emily felt her stomach flip. "What kind of business dealings are involved?

"Shady investments," Daniel said with a completely emotionless tone. Dealing with people I shouldn't have come into contact with. But it was all still buried. I cleaned it, and nothing could find its way out to connect me to anything. Ava is smart, though; she knows things. She kept records.

Emily's mind reeled as the full reach of Ava came into focus. She was not posturing. If she wanted to, she could take their whole world down to the bottom of that pit and kill Daniel.

Emily said, "She's holding this over you," it finally clicked. "You didn't want her near due to this."

Oliver nodded. "She has always had leverage." And it just so happens she is pulling it now.

The room felt colder, darker. Emily wrapped her arms around herself, trying to control her breathing. This was even worse than she could have ever imagined. Ava was a ticking time bomb, not just some scorned ex.

What do we do, then? Emily asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel leaned in closer, his hands firm yet light on her arms. We don't give in to her. We back down.

Emily nodded, fear nibbling at her. But how? Should she out you, "

"She won't," Daniel cut in, a cut in his voice with resolve. "I will make it certain for you. Ava gets off on the control. She has nothing if we take that away from her.

Emily looked up at him, her mind reeling with confusion laced with terror. Could they fight someone like Someone willing to burn everything to the ground just so that they might fall with her?

"I will protect you, Emily," Daniel whispered, his voice gentling. "I won't let her take us down. I promised.

Yet, promises seemed fragile against someone like Ava.

There was a quick, frantic rap at the door before Emily could reply. They both paused, looking tightly at one another. Emily's heart jerked-who could it be at this hour?

Daniel went to the door, his body rigid, expecting another fight. He opened it, and standing there soaked from the rain was a figure none of them could have predicted.

Victor!

His hair was pressed onto his forehead and his eyes wide as something in near fright, Daniel's brother had looked dishevelled. Emily gasped at his look and clutched her chest. Victor had always been the composed brother-the easy-going one he looked shaken now, like he had seen a ghost.

"Victor?" Daniel returned in a surprised voice. "What the heck-

Victor stammered and spoke, "We need to talk." He looked into the eyes of Emily and back to Daniel, Victor's eyes black and foreboding. "It is about Ava. You don't know something.

Daniel's face went serious. "What?"

The tension in the air became palpable as Victor stepped inside and shook the rain from his coat.

"I have been. Involved," Victor said, the tone low. "Using Ava. Though I had no idea she would go this far, now-" He lifted his head, and regret shone in his eyes. "She's planning on something more than you'd imagine, Daniel. This is beyond blackmail these days.

Emily felt her blood run cold. "What do you mean?

Victor faltered, clearly torn. "Ava's not after money or revenge. She wants to take you both down. And she won't be doing it alone.

Daniel's hands fisted at his sides and his eyebrows furrowed. "Who else is involved??

Victor took a hard gulp. "People devoid of concern for fair play. She has risky contacts as well. And if she succeeds, it won't just be your company falling apart. Your life will be like this.

The weight of Victor's words pressed down like a storm about to burst, the room seeming to shut in on them.

"What does she want?" Emily asked her voice tight with fear.