d in her seat for a few more moments, gathering her thoughts, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that had o

seemed to push Alexander further away or d

ay in this mansion all day, waiting for him to dictate her next steps

hat felt like forever, and despite the isolation that came with her new life, Emma needed a connec

nd, Sophie. They hadn't spoken much since the wedding; Emma had been avo

orever. So, she hit the call bu

came through the phon

tugging at her lips. Hearing Sophie's

, her voice tinged with both excitement and concern. "I saw the

e worry in Sophie's voice, and she didn't want to burden

"It's just been... a lot. The marriag

skepticism. "You don't just marry someone out of the blue, es

But it's not what you think. I

silence on the oth

ncredulous. "Emma, what the hell? You can't ju

oice soft but firm. "My dad... he was in trouble.

erious? This is like something out of a movie. What kind of trou

d to hold back. "My dad's company was on the verge of collapse. There were legal issues... embezzlement, fraud-thin

" Sophie's voice was a mix of concern and shock. "Ar

He's... complicated. Intense. Controlling

a moment, then she ask

He had helped her father, yes, but his motives were always so hard to read. Every

. "He's not easy to figure out. But I

oice softer now. "But you don't have to do this alone, y

off. "I just need time to figure things o

said quietly. "But don't shut

her friend's unwavering su

e call, feeling a little lighter. But as soon as the phone cl

on she would have to navigate on her own. Alexander's world was dan

the door. Emma froze, her heart skipping a beat. Was it Alexander again?

a different face-one of Alexander's assistants, a

tral. "Mr. Mason asked me to deliver these do

ntarily taken abac

xplained, offering her the folder. "It's the final se

at. The final settlement? Did

and white-Alexander had done it. The charges against her father were being dropped, and the company would be

es. She had made a deal with the devil

ice thick with emotion. "Tell Alex

o leave, but before he could walk

hy didn't Alexander

y, "Mr. Mason is currently in a meeting. He ins

hanked the assistant again, an

pen, staring at the documents. This was it-the culmination of

dotted line, sealing her