Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Caleb
This time, I don’t take the easy way out by flying. Instead, I borrow Jacob’s bike and drive four hours straight to Boston. The roar of the engine beneath me drowns out everything else—the doubts, the frustration, the guilt. The wind rushes past, cool and relentless, whipping against my face as the road stretches ahead, a blur of asphalt and yellow lines. It’s exactly what I need right now.
Every twist and turn of the road pulls me deeper into my thoughts. The speed, the freedom of the open highway, it’s like a temporary escape from the mess I’ve made. But the further I go, the more it becomes clear—this isn’t about running away. It’s about heading straight into the storm I helped create.
I’ve finished a chapter, closed one door, but there’s another standing right in front of me. One that requires more than just an apology. It’s time to make amends, to grovel if I have to—because even though Gertrude’s schemes are what tore us apart, I’m the one who needs to prove to Emmersyn that everything I told her was real.
That I fell in love with her for who she was—the woman who could reach deep into my soul and caress it with her laughter. There was something about the way she saw the world, how she believed in others, how she believed in me, that made my heart swell with emotions I couldn’t quite put into words back then. Now . . . Now I know it was love.
It is love, adoration.
It’s every emotion I can feel for her and even more.
What made me love her irrevocably was the way she loved, fully and unconditionally, as if every part of me—even the parts I tried to hide—was worthy of her affection. It was like she saw straight through me, past the tough exterior, into the heart of who I really was. And still, she chose to stay, to love me, flaws and all. Every time she smiled, every time she laughed, it wasn’t just a sound—it was something I felt deep in my bones, this connection that ran deeper than anything I had ever known.
I pull into Boston, heading straight to Max’s place. As soon as I walk in, I’m greeted by the sight of him fussing over little Emma, who’s nestled in his arms like the precious bundle she is. The place is buzzing with that new baby energy, everyone enamored with her tiny toes and button nose. It’s hard not to get caught up in it myself, even if I’m really here for another reason.
“I thought you were in New York, trying to pull a heist,” Max teases as I step inside.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, glancing around the living room and open kitchen.
He tilts his head toward the main balcony. “Everyone’s here. My family, Zoe’s family, even your parents—Zoe is in our room sleeping. Audrey and Lily went to run some errands.”
“You look too domesticated,” I say.
“And fucking happy about it,” he whispers, kissing Em on top of her head. “Cloud nine and all that shit.”
I try to hold back a laugh, but it slips out anyway. “When are you guys moving to the house in the burbs?” I mock, raising an eyebrow.
“As a matter of fact, we’re fixing up her brownstone. That’s where Zoe wants to live,” he says.
This really doesn’t sound like him, so I have to ask, “And what’s going to happen to all the luxury?” I glance around at the swanky penthouse, all sleek lines and modern elegance.
“The kids will enjoy the house better,” he shrugs, clearly picturing the future.
“Kids? Isn’t one enough?” I ask, half-joking but half-curious.
He shakes his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “We want a couple. ”
“You’re a changed man, Maximillian McCallister,” I say, giving him a knowing look.
“Probably,” he admits, narrowing his eyes at me. “Which makes me wonder why you’re here and not trying to fix your shit with the Princess of New York City. I mean, I knew you’d married an Emmersyn Mara Langley, but it never clicked that she was the heir to Langley Media. That’s . . .” He trails off, letting out a low whistle.
“Yeah, well . . . I didn’t exactly know who she was when I agreed to marry her,” I reply, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Why are you here?” he asks again, more seriously this time.
“I knew my parents were coming to Boston to meet Emma. I was hoping I could talk to them,” I say, glancing toward the balcony where the family is gathered.
Max tilts his head thoughtfully. “Let me get everyone inside, then you can talk to them.”
He heads toward the balcony, and I watch as everyone gradually moves inside. Max’s mom is fussing over Emma, while Zoe’s mother tries to wrestle the baby from her grasp. Max steps in, reminding them to take turns or risk being banned from their grandchild.
Everyone is focused on the commotion inside, so I take the chance to pull my parents outside.
“Cal, I thought Max said you were in New York,” Dad says as I slide the glass door closed, ensuring no one from inside can interrupt us.
“With that woman,” Mom adds, her tone sharp.
“Emmersyn,” I correct her firmly. “Her name is Emmersyn, Mom. ”
“I thought things between you two were over. Why go and see her again?” she snaps, clearly displeased. It’s no secret she doesn’t like Emmersyn.
“Her grandmother died,” I explain, trying to keep my voice steady.
“You need to forget about the she-devil and marry a good woman. Look at your friends—they’re happy. But you’re clinging to that woman who treated you poorly and has always been a bad influence. She thinks she can buy everything with money and use the people around her,” Mom says, her voice laced with frustration.
“She makes me happy. Emmersyn Langley is the love of my life,” I tell her, my voice resolute. “The thing is, you don’t know her, Mom. You’ve been judging her based on what you’ve heard from Clarissa, and that’s not the truth.”
“Emmersyn broke your heart,” she counters, her eyes narrowing.
I scoff, deciding it’s time to lay it all out. I tell them the story—how Em and I met, how we got to know each other through texts, the marriage proposal she made because she needed to help her friend’s family. I explain everything Gertrude did to keep us apart and how, despite it all, I’ve realized I’m still in love with my wife.
“The thing is, I need to get to know her again, to learn who she’s become, and hope that she’ll fall in love with me,” I finish, my voice steady but filled with emotion.
Mom and Dad watch me quietly, clearly processing everything I’ve said. For once, they’re not seeing Emmersyn through Clarissa’s distorted lens .
“That’s . . .” Mom starts, but for the first time in my life, she’s at a loss for words.
“That’s a lot to take in,” Dad finally says. “You didn’t have to marry someone to?—”
“Listen,” I cut him off gently, “it’s done, and we can’t go back in time to change things. But we can try to figure out the future. I not only need to show her that I love her, but I also want to offer her a family. I hope you can learn to love her and welcome her into our family . It’d be awkward and ultimately sad to have to skip family reunions and holidays because you don’t like my wife—based on lies.”
Mom nods slowly. “If this is what you want, and if she’s who you love, we’ll try.”
I hug them both and leave. This is just the first step. The rest . . . Well, it’s going to be a lot of work. I’m going to have to break it to my friends and partners that they’ll need to cut their honeymoon phase short—though that mostly applies to Ethan and Liam. Max is already out for the next year on what he proudly calls his paternity leave. But the other two? They’re in charge of the company. Until I get my wife back, I’m off the grid.