Claiming what’s mine

Episode3

EMMA'S POV

I felt the sunlight piercing through the curtains, stabbing into my skull, amplifying the pounding headache that already throbbed relentlessly behind my eyes.

"Hmm," I muttered, twirling in my sleep without a single care in the world.

I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead, trying to ease the sharp pain.

I was having a hangover.

My mouth was dry, and my limbs felt heavy due to the terrible decision I made last night that I had yet to realize.

I slowly opened my eyes, my surroundings unfamiliar.

"Where am I? What happened last night?""

These were the two questions that popped into my head when I noticed the hotel decor.

Slowly, I felt a warm hand trailing up my thigh, and it took all my self-control not to scream immediately.

It was as if I were currently in a horror movie.

I was starting to have an idea about what happened, but I didn’t want to believe it.

Then, as I shifted slightly, I felt a presence beside me—a warm body that wasn’t supposed to be there.

My breath caught in my throat as I turned my head to see the man from the bar lying next to me.

"Oh my God," I gasped slowly, placing a hand over my mouth, moving backward when I saw the half-naked man on the bed.

Even in his sleep, he looked so sexy.

I quickly shook my head and mentally slapped myself.

This was bad, terrible.

Panic surged through me, and I sat up abruptly, clutching the sheets to my chest.

"No, no, no... What have I done?" I mumbled to myself, refusing to acknowledge the problem a couple of whiskies got me into.

"Fuck." I groaned silently, biting my nails.

The memories came flooding back—his smile, the drinks, the way I’d thrown caution to the wind in my desperation to escape the pain of my failed marriage.

I had slept with a stranger.

My hands shook as I pushed the covers off and stumbled out of bed, barely able to steady myself on weak legs.

I couldn't believe I had let this happen. I glanced around the room, trying to collect my thoughts. My clothes were scattered in a mess on the floor—just like my life.

How could I have been so reckless?

I always knew I couldn’t handle alcohol, so why the f**k did I go to that bar?

At this point, I wasn't even sure if we had used protection or not.

Fear enveloped my entire body as I pressed my lips together, refusing to cry this early.

What if he had some kind of deadly infection, or worse, I get pregnant?

Having a baby was not on my to-do list because I was practically broke.

Lucas was my source of income.

No Lucas was equivalent to no money.

How the hell was I supposed to raise a baby on my own? I ruffled my hair at this thought.

"Calm down, Emma," I encouraged myself quickly before I passed out from exhaustion.

I quickly grabbed my clothes, hastily pulling them on, all the while stealing nervous glances at the man still asleep in bed.

I was really glad he wasn't awake because I would have died of embarrassment by now.

He looked so peaceful like this was just another day for him.

Maybe it was. For me, it was a disaster, a new low I never expected to reach.

I buttoned my shirt with trembling fingers, mentally cursing myself.

My mind raced with regret, shame, and the overwhelming desire to just get out of here.

That’s when I saw it. An envelope on the small table near the window. My curiosity was piqued despite everything else.

I hesitated, but I was too curious not to look. I picked up the envelope and slid it open.

I gasped as my eyes snapped wide when I saw what was inside—a thick wad of cash.

More money than I had seen in one place in a long time.

“What...?” I muttered under my breath, staring down at the bills.

My hands shook even more as I flipped through them.

Was this some kind of joke?

A payment? Did he think I was some hope he could just pay off?

My mind swirled with questions, but none of them made sense.

I glanced back at the man in the bed. He looked wealthy, that much I could tell from the way he was dressed last night. Plus, his cologne was to die for.

That was probably one of the reasons why I was even in this mess.

Maybe this was just pocket change for him, something he wouldn’t even miss.

But for me? For me, this was survival. This was a chance to get out of the mess I was in.

No. I can’t, I said to myself, turning my face away.

But with this money, I could start over.

I could have a chance at a new life, but I decided to be the good girl that I was.

But the thought kept gnawing at me. I was broke.

I didn’t even have enough money to get through the next week.

And it's not like I could just walk up to my ex-husband and say, "Wassup, babe, do you have some cash?"

I hissed at myself.

There was no way I could go back there, ever.

I stared at the money in front of me. This money could change that—at least for now.

I bit my lip, torn between my conscience and my desperation.

The responsible part of me screamed that this was wrong, that I couldn’t just take it.

But the desperate part of me said otherwise.

I stared at the envelope for a long time, my heart racing faster and faster, until finally, I made the decision.

"f**k it."

I shoved the money into my bag and closed my eyes in defeat.

My pulse quickened as I tiptoed to the door, holding my breath, terrified he might wake up and catch me in the act.

But he didn’t stir. I paused for one final glance back at him, a mixture of shame and relief washing over me.

"He’ll never even notice it’s gone," I reassured myself, pushing down the guilt gnawing at me.

TWO YEARS LATER

"Emma, are you seriously not going to take this offer?"

I tilted my head at my neighbor Sarah with a nonchalant expression.

As long as I had to step foot in New York, it was a big, flat no.

Sarah turned hurriedly to my assistant, who was by my side, clenching her little tablet.

""Mia, why don’t you let your boss see the reason? With this opportunity, her career will move to the next level,"" she frowned.

That’s right, you heard it right.

All it took was two years to build my small but lucrative business.

At this point, I wouldn’t even call it small, because I was practically a boss of my own.

After my failed marriage, I moved to a small town, far from New York's glitz and glamour, and started building my life again.

It wasn’t easy, but I was determined.

I worked hard to establish my own business, a boutique interior design firm.

Currently, I’ve been signing endowment deals, but I couldn’t just bring myself to go back to that city.

""Since she doesn’t want to, we shouldn’t bother her. You know how she feels about that place."" Mia said with a sigh.

I gave a nod quickly when Mia said those words. Even though she was young, she was nice, understanding, and smart.

On the other hand, Sarah was a woman in her early forties.

She was stubborn and sometimes relentless, but what I loved about her was her nurturing attributes, similar to those of a mother.

Sarah took my hand, and I flinched at her sudden touch.

""Emma, I know it's been hard, but don’t you think it’s time to let go of your past? This is not the time to let it affect your career.""

She was right. I was still holding on too tightly to what happened.

It was finally time to let go.

I sank onto my sofa in defeat because I knew she had won this round with her loving affection.

""Mia, prepare my things. We’re going to New York.""