The Billionaire’s Prison: A Fight for Freedom

Chapter 3

Emily's heart skipped a beat as Peter's question hung in the air; she needed to think of someone as fast as she could, even though he knew she didn't have many friends around.

“I stayed at Mia’s place,” Emily said, trying to keep a straight face. Mia had been her best friend since college, but distance swayed after her marriage with Peter.

She was the only close friend Emily had even though Peter never liked her, which makes her answer more solid as there was no way

Peter would call her to confirm.

“After the event, it was too late for me to drive, and I didn't want to risk anything,” Emily continued, forcing a smile to sound more casual.

Peter was silent for a while, closely observing Emily’s reaction, weighing every word she spoke. But Emily stood still, holding her breath to make sure she sounded convincing.

She could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, a momentary c***k in his otherwise confident facade. Perhaps he was more aware of her moods than she had given him credit for, or maybe he was just as trapped in his own fears as she was in her marriage. Did he ever feel the suffocating weight of expectations, just like her?

“Mia’s place?” Peter asked as he wrapped his arm around himself, trying to understand the missing pieces. He never liked that lady; he had always seen her as a bad influence on Emily.

"Yes, Mia," Emily repeated, trying to sound a bit more confident now. "I called to inform her I was around her neighborhood. You know how she is. She insisted I visit and stay the night. It was safer that way."

Peter’s eyes narrowed, and a faint smile played on his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You should have called me, Emily,” he said quietly, his voice laced with an unsettling calmness. “Do you have any idea how worried I was? Or… did you just not want to talk to me last night?”

Emily nodded, relieved that his tone had softened. "I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to fight again after what happened earlier. I thought we both needed some space."

Peter kept mute for a while; he didn't respond, but she could see that her lie had worked out well. Emily took a deep breath of relief.

“I will call Mia,” Peter said suddenly, a sharp edge in his voice. Emily's stomach twisted in knots; she hadn’t anticipated this move.

Her mind raced with potential outcomes—would Mia suspect something? Was this the moment her carefully constructed lie would unravel? Panic surged through her, each heartbeat drumming a warning in her ears. How was she supposed to get past this thigh spot, she thought to herself. She had to act fast.

“That would be a great opportunity to say hi to her after a long time and also a thank you for suggesting you sleep over so you don’t drive that late.”

Emily's heart raced. She had to give Mia a heads-up ahead. But then she thought again, this was a new level of suspicion. Had she tipped him off from her response earlier? Or was her guilt showing all over her?

Without skipping a beat, Emily forced a smile. "Sure, go ahead," she said casually, though inside, her nerves were screaming. "But I will suggest calling her after work or during lunch; Mia hardly picks up her phone during work hours.”

Peter nodded as he picked up his bag to head to work. Emily felt relieved. She never thought this would work, but now she has to call Mia immediately Peter is out of sight.

She grabbed her phone and quickly called Mia. “Mia, I need a favor. If Peter calls you, can you tell him I stayed at your place last night?

“And when I called to let you know I was around your neighborhood, you had suggested a crash at your place to avoid a late-night drive.”

The line went quiet for a moment before Mia’s concerned voice broke through. "Emily, what's wrong?" Why do you need me to lie for you?” Mia asked suspiciously, pondering why her friend would want her to lie to her husband.

“Mia, I need a favor. If Peter calls you, can you tell him I stayed at your place last night? You know how he gets.”

Mia hesitated, her voice laced with concern. “Emily, I hate lying for you. Remember when I had to cover for you back in college? It took weeks to mend that rift.”

Emily sighed, recalling the fallout from that old lie—how it had nearly cost her their friendship. “I know, but this is different. He’s changed, Mia. I’m scared of what he’ll do if he finds out the truth.”

Emily sighed; she couldn’t explain to Mia on the phone at that moment; she just wanted her to get a clue just in case Peter calls.

“It’s complicated, Mia.” Emily sighed, “We had a big argument last night, and I just needed to get out and clear my head. I ended up staying out all night, and now he’s suspicious. Please, Mia, just cover for me this one time.”

Mia hesitated, and Emily could feel her reluctance through the phone. “Alright, Emily. I’ve got your back. But Emily, where did you sleep though?” She asked.

Emily sighed remorsefully and said, "No worries, Mia; I will tell you everything later in the day.”

Mia smiled, “Better! Just... be careful, okay?”

Emily exhaled a sigh of gratitude as she said, “Thanks, Mia. I owe you big time.” As Emily hung up the call, she could feel some level of relief that the lie was in motion, and there was no way Peter could suspect anything about last night now.

Emily leaned against the kitchen counter, gripping it for support as waves of guilt washed over her. Her mind kept returning to Connor—the warmth of his touch, the way he had looked at her as if she was more than Peter’s trophy wife.

She had forgotten what it felt like to be seen. But then Peter’s face flashed in her mind, his controlling eyes, his unspoken threats. Last night had been reckless. One slip, one wrong move, and Peter would destroy everything—her, Connor, even her family. Yet, why did being with Connor make her feel alive again? Was it worth risking everything for a brief moment of freedom?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, bringing her bank to the present. She reached out for it, her heart skipping a bit when she saw the name flash across the screen.

Connor: "Hello Emily, you left without saying goodbye to me this morning? I thought what happened last night meant something to you too. I can't stop thinking about you, Emily."

Her heart skipped for a second. Part of her really wanted to respond back immediately to admit he has also been on her mind too, but she had to be careful not to get too attached to him because of Peter and also not to put his life in danger.

Emily stood for a while as her memory flashed back to when she had witnessed Peter’s guards dragging a man into a dark alley after he had innocently complimented her dress. The sound of fists against flesh, the sickening crunch of bones.

She had watched in horror as Peter stood by, cold and unfeeling, like it was just another business deal. He hadn’t even looked at her afterward. She was just a possession, something to be guarded, like his wealth or reputation. If Peter ever found out about Connor… her stomach twisted. What would he do this time?

Fear crept into her mind again of what to expect, but then why fear? Even though she hadn’t been acting like herself for the past few hours. She needed to talk to someone who would understand her better.

Picking up the phone again, she hesitated before calling Mia again now that she knew for sure Peter was out of sight. She was the only one who knew Emily well enough to see through her mask. She has to tell her everything.

Connor’s Apartment

Connor sat in his apartment, staring at the text he had just sent to Emily. He wondered if the text was delivered since he waited for her response, but nothing came up. Emily had stirred something inside of him even though he had his own agenda.

He had been working on Peter Grayson’s case for months, meticulously gathering evidence of his crimes—fraud, bribery, ties to the criminal underworld. When he’d discovered that Peter was married to Emily, his childhood friend, he knew it was the perfect in.

Reuniting with her at the gallery hadn’t been an accident. He had planned it, knowing she could be his way closer to Peter. But last night… Last night had changed things. He hadn’t expected to feel something for her again. That wasn’t part of the plan. Could he really continue using her? Or had he already gone too far?

Connor immediately shook the thought off his mind. Yes, he cares for Emily, but at the same time can’t afford to be distracted. Winning the case would not only grant him a promotion but secure him the position of the next District Attorney for the States.

But why didn’t she tell him she was married though? The question haunted his mind, pondering over the fact that Emily wasn’t wearing her wedding ring that night.

But still, guilt tugged at him. Would the truth shatter their fragile reunion, built on lies and secrets? There has to be a way to get past this.