Chapter 46 Marked and Watched
Henry leaned back in his chair, the dim light of his office casting elongated shadows across the sleek wooden desk. The weight of the day rested on his shoulders as he flipped through the pages of the file in front of him. Numbers, contracts, and legal jargon blurred together until his personal phone vibrated against the desk, breaking the monotony.
Glancing at the screen, his brow arched slightly. Scarlett Evans. He answered without hesitation. "Hello?"
"Henry," came her familiar voice, rich with amusement and just the faintest hint of warmth.
At the sound of her voice, an unspoken tension in his chest loosened. Relief washed over him. Levi had actually delivered the documents securely. "Scarlett. I was going to call you. I—"
"Oh, Henry, don't you dare apologize," she interrupted smoothly, her tone knowing. "I've known about his cheating ways for a long time. I was just in love. I wanted to believe he'd change."
Henry exhaled sharply, understanding that feeling all too well. The ghost of an old wound stirred deep in his memory. The first time he had caught Zoey cheating, it had been a gut punch, the kind of pain that left a man reeling. But he had believed her when she swore it was a mistake, that she'd never do it again. Love had made him a fool. He had clung to the hope that she could be different, that what they had was worth salvaging. But it had been a lie—one he had told himself to make the betrayal easier to bear. In the end, she had done it again, and again, until he had finally walked away, a little older, a little colder.
Scarlett sighed on the other end of the line. "But enough about my tragic love life. What I really want to talk about is yours."
Henry smirked, shaking off the dark memories. "Oh?"
"Yes, because I simply must meet the woman who turned Henry Kingsley into an absolute sap. A force to be reckoned with, clearly."
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "I am not a sap."
"Henry, you just called me to make sure I was okay. And you referenced your fiancée like some kind of knight in shining armor. Please. The old Henry would've scoffed and hung up five minutes ago."
"I was never that bad."
Scarlett hummed in playful disagreement. "Debatable. But seriously, when do I get to meet her? I have to see for myself what kind of magic she's working on you."
Henry leaned back, a soft smile playing on his lips as he thought of Emilia. "Soon, Scarlett. Very soon."
Scarlett laughed lightly. "Good. I look forward to it. But now that we've established, you're officially whipped, tell me—what's next for you?"
Henry arched a brow. "I could ask you the same thing. What's your plan now?"
Scarlett sighed dramatically. "Oh, I'm divorcing that asshole for good. But I want to do it in style."
Henry's lips twitched. "Oh yeah? And how's that going to go?"
A mischievous lilt crept into her voice. "Don't worry, Henry, I promise I'll be careful. But I'm going to wait for the perfect moment. Let him think everything is fine and then—bam, I'll make sure he regrets ever underestimating me."
Henry shook his head, amused. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Scarlett let out a wicked little chuckle. "Smart man. And Henry—if I hear even the faintest whisper of that bitch trying to hurt your fiancée, I will personally make her life a living hell."
A slow, satisfied smirk spread across Henry's face. "Now that is something I'd pay to see."
"Oh, honey, it'll be free entertainment. Just wait and see."
Henry laughed, shaking his head as the call ended. He barely had a moment to process before Levi, his assistant, stepped into the office. The man looked rattled, his normally professional composure slipping beneath the weight of whatever he was holding. A manila envelope was clutched tightly in his hands.
"Levi? Everything alright?" Henry asked, eyes narrowing at his assistant's demeanor.
Levi quickly snapped out of it, straightening his back. "Oh yeah... no, no, everything is fine—or, well, not really?"
Henry's confusion deepened. "What is it?"
Wordlessly, Levi stepped forward and placed the envelope on Henry's desk. "This was dropped at our front door early this morning. The person was wearing a hood and a mask. Security footage only caught glimpses, nothing concrete."
Henry's jaw tightened as he reached for the envelope, his pulse ticking a little harder against his skin. The moment he slid the contents out, his stomach turned to stone.
Photographs. Dozens of them. Emilia at work, stepping out of their apartment, browsing at the bookstore, eating lunch with a friend. Some with him, others with just her—smiling, unaware, vulnerable.
Then his blood ran ice cold.
His grip on the photos tightened as he noticed the sinister details—red ink slashing through Emilia's neck in one, jagged eyes drawn over hers in another. Some had manic scribbles, others had simple, eerie marks. A clear message.
Threat.
Possession.
Danger.
A slow, lethal rage unfurled in Henry's chest, burning hot and sharp. His fingers curled so tightly around the photos that the edges crumpled, his knuckles turning white. His jaw clenched so hard it ached, and his breaths came slow, measured—controlled violence simmering beneath his skin. His chair scraped against the floor as he pushed up suddenly, his entire body rigid with unyielding fury.
But then something caught his eye. A smudge, barely noticeable, in the corner of one of the photographs. He lifted it closer, his sharp gaze locking onto a faint logo—an imprint from a specific type of photo paper. Not mass-market. Not easily accessible.
A lead.
His mind raced through possibilities, scenarios, suspects—who had done this? Who was watching her so closely, so obsessively? Who dared?
"Levi," Henry said, his voice like steel. "Call Cayden. Now. Emilia is not to go anywhere without an escort. I want him on her side at all times. She doesn't take a step without security. And get someone to trace where these were printed."
Levi nodded so fast it was almost a blur, already pulling out his phone as he rushed out of the office.
Meanwhile, Henry continued to study the photos, his mind sharpening into a singular, deadly focus.
Whoever did this, just made a grave mistake.
Because Henry Kingsley was about to make them regret ever breathing in Emilia's direction.
______________________________________________
At Nexus Care Hospital, Emilia wiped the sweat from her brow, an elated smile on her face as she stood beside the new mother's bedside. "You did absolutely amazing," she said warmly, adjusting the blanket around the newborn baby girl nestled in her mother's arms. "She's perfect."
The mother beamed; exhaustion evident but joy shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Dr. Everett. I couldn't have done it without you."
Emilia laughed lightly. "Oh, trust me, you did all the hard work. I was just lucky enough to assist."
She continued chatting with the couple, making sure both mother and baby were comfortable, offering reassurance and answering questions with the kind of patience and care that made her one of the hospital's most beloved OBGYNs.(This Novel is only on Wattpad and free. If you see this anywhere else, it is stolen. Please report it) Delivering babies, guiding mothers through labor, being part of such an intimate and life-changing moment—it was what she lived for.
As the afternoon sun poured in through the windows, Emilia had just finished updating patient notes when Claire, her supervisor, approached her with a cautious expression.
"Em, can you come to the office with me?"
Emilia's stomach twisted. She nodded, wiping her hands on her coat. "Of course."
As she followed Claire down the hall, her nerves prickled. The medical board interview from a few days ago loomed in her mind, a dark cloud of uncertainty. Had they reached a decision?
______________________________
Emilia stepped into Claire's office, the scent of brewed coffee and faint lavender lingering in the air. The soft hum of a heater filled the room, a stark contrast to the crisp, early spring wind that had chased her inside. Seated in one of the visitor's chairs was a woman in a dark navy blazer, her hands neatly folded on a leather-bound portfolio. Her silver-rimmed glasses perched low on her nose as she lifted her gaze to meet Emilia's.
"Ms. Everett," the woman said with a kind but firm smile. "Please, have a seat."
Claire, always poised yet warm, gestured toward the chair beside the board member, her expression unreadable but supportive. "Em, this is Ms. Holloway from the state medical board."
Emilia swallowed, her heart still an unsteady rhythm in her chest. She took her seat, her palms pressing into her lap as she gave a polite nod. "It's nice to meet you."
"The same," Ms. Holloway replied before flipping open her portfolio. "I won't take up much of your time, but I wanted to go over the findings of our review and ensure you fully understand the implications of what happened."
Emilia braced herself, fingers tightening over her knee.
"The board has concluded that you are not at fault for the events that transpired. You acted under duress, and your intent was purely ethical—to prevent harm. That being said," Ms. Holloway's voice took on a sharper edge, "we have strict rules for a reason. If you are ever put in a position like this again, you must walk away immediately and report the situation. Do not engage in any form of care. Otherwise, you will be held liable."
A breath Emilia hadn't realized she was holding escaped her lips. Relief flooded her veins, leaving her momentarily lightheaded. She nodded quickly, words feeling thick in her throat. "I understand. I won't let it happen again."
Claire reached out, giving Emilia's hand a quick, reassuring squeeze before sitting back, watching carefully as the discussion unfolded.
"Good." Ms. Holloway closed the folder with a decisive snap. "Now, regarding Dr. Michaels."
Emilia stiffened again. "What's going to happen to him?"
"He will be undergoing mandatory retraining to ensure he fully understands what the rules mean and how to follow them. His judgment in this case was... concerning, but not beyond correction."
A long sigh left Emilia's lips, tension bleeding from her shoulders. It wasn't a harsh punishment, but it was something. And more than anything, it meant she wouldn't have to carry the weight of his mistakes alone.
Ms. Holloway gave a small nod, as if she had expected Emilia's reaction. "That concludes our review. If you have any further concerns, you're always welcome to reach out."
Emilia stood as the woman did, shaking her hand firmly. "Thank you."
Claire walked Ms. Holloway to the door, the two exchanging polite farewells before she disappeared down the hallway, leaving Emilia alone with her boss.
The moment the door shut, Emilia let out a small, disbelieving laugh, pressing her hands to her face. "I really thought I was going to lose my job."
Claire crossed her arms, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "I told you it would be fine. You're too good at what you do to let one mess land you in trouble."
Emilia dropped her hands and met Claire's eyes, her own filled with gratitude. "Thank you—for everything."
Claire tilted her head. "Just keep being the OBG-YN I know you are. And maybe next time, don't give me a heart attack."
Emilia chuckled, a lightness filling her chest for the first time in days. The storm had passed. And for the first time, she truly felt like she could breathe again.
As she left Claire's office, she let her thoughts settle. The last few weeks had been a hellish rollercoaster. Sleepless nights, endless worrying, that constant pit in her stomach—it had all worn her down. And yet, she'd made it through. She wasn't going to lose her job. She wasn't going to be blacklisted from the career she loved. She was free. And damn, it felt good.
Stepping out into the hallway, she spotted Yanique walking in, a brown paper bag in hand, her hair piled up in a perfect messy bun. The moment Yanique saw her, her brows lifted in curiosity. "Well? What happened?"
Emilia grinned. "I'm in the clear."
Yanique let out a whoop, thrusting the bag up like a victory banner. "Hell yes! I knew it. I brought lunch—perfect timing for a celebration."
The two headed to the break room, the tension of the last few weeks finally breaking apart like morning fog. They tore into their sandwiches, Emilia relishing every bite, now that her stomach wasn't in knots.
"So," Yanique said, mouth half full. "Now that you're not on the verge of an existential crisis, we need to talk about something important."
Emilia smirked. "Oh?"
Yanique waggled her brows. "Henry."
Emilia rolled her eyes with a groan. "I knew this was coming."
Yanique grinned mischievously. "It's time. I need to meet this man."
Emilia set her sandwich down, wiping her hands exaggeratedly. "Funny you say that, because Henry has been waiting for this. He's all for it."
Yanique gasped dramatically. "He wants to meet me? The Yanique? Oh, now I really like him."
Emilia laughed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. "Yeah, yeah, don't let it go to your head."
"Oh, it's way too late for that," Yanique said, taking another bite. "This is going to be fun."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Emilia believed it.
__________________________________
As Emilia settled into the break room after her meeting, she pulled out her phone, her heart still buzzing with relief. Without hesitation, she opened her messages and typed out a text to Henry.
Emilia: Guess who still has a job and is officially in the clear?
She barely had to wait ten seconds before her phone vibrated with his reply.
Henry: If it's not you, I'm going to have to sue that hospital for the worst mistake of their lives.
Emilia: LOL, no lawsuits needed. The board ruled in my favor. I'm okay, Henry. It's finally over.
There was a brief pause before his next message came through.
Henry: Proud of you, baby. I never doubted it for a second.
Her cheeks warmed, and she bit her lip, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face.
Emilia: Well, I think this calls for a celebration, don't you?
Henry: Absolutely. I'll make dinner reservations. Name the place, it's done.
She hesitated for a moment, then smirked.
Emilia: As tempting as that is, I actually want to cook for you tonight. Something special, just us in our kitchen.
This time, the pause was longer. When Henry finally responded, her heart melted.
Henry: You want to cook for me?
Emilia: Mhm. I want to celebrate us. And nothing sounds better than making you something with love.
For a full minute, he didn't reply. She wondered if maybe she'd caught him off guard. Then—
Henry: You really have no idea how much I love you, do you?
Her stomach flipped.
Emilia: Oh, I have an idea. ??
Henry: I think I need to kiss you immediately.
She laughed, shaking her head.
Emilia: Soon. But first—can you pick me up from work later?
Henry: Baby, you don't even have to ask. I'll be there.
Emilia: Good, because I miss you.
Henry: I miss you more.
Emilia: Impossible.
Henry: I'll prove it to you tonight.
Her face was officially on fire now.
Emilia: Should I be worried?
Henry: Very.
Emilia: ...I like the sound of that.
Henry: Careful, sweetheart, I might just leave work early and come steal you now.
Emilia: My lunch break is over, Mr. Kingsley. Behave.
Henry: No promises.
With a giddy shake of her head, Emilia put her phone away, her heart full. She had no idea that Henry was fighting the urge to tell her about the threat lurking in the shadows. But for now, for this moment, she had given him something precious peace.
And for that, Henry would do everything in his power to protect her.