Chapter 6 - Emily
I stared at him, my mind reeling. Marry him? This had to be some kind of sick joke. I forced a laugh, but it came out strained and hollow. “You must be joking. This is one of your tactics, right?” My voice felt shaky, as if it might betray the panic rising inside me. I searched Mr. Quantum’s face, hoping to see some flicker of humor, some hint that he’d break into a grin and say he was kidding.
But his face remained frozen, his blue eyes icy and unblinking. Something cold knotted in the pit of my stomach. Marry him? I felt disbelief mix with a sharp, searing anger that burned through me, a fire spreading to the edges of my vision. He was serious. That much was clear.
I stayed rooted in place, trying to wrap my mind around the absurdity of it all, my heart pounding in my chest. He spoke, his voice disturbingly calm. “You’ll marry me, Emily.” It wasn’t a request, it was an ultimatum, a command. The words were cold, final, as if this were nothing more than a business transaction. My stomach churned with disgust.
The bitter laugh that escaped my throat surprised even me. “You're out of your mind,” I snapped, my voice sharp. “You actually think you can manipulate me into marrying you? A man twice my age?”
Axel shifted, looking uncomfortable but silent, his presence a quiet reminder of how isolated I felt. I could feel my heart rate quicken as I glared at Dominic, trying to keep my composure.
Dominic’s expression barely flickered. His eyes hardened, a dangerous glint in them. “You want a career, don’t you?” His voice dropped to a chilling, almost predatory whisper. “If you ever want a future in your field, you’ll do as I say. Or I’ll make sure you never work in this industry again.”
The words hit me like ice, cold and cutting. I barely choked out a response. “Are you serious?” The question was barely more than a breathless whisper, my body recoiling from the reality of what he was threatening. This man, who I’d once admired, respected, even, was blackmailing me? “Who blackmails someone into marriage?” I searched his face, desperate for any sign of humanity, any hint that this was some sick joke. But all I found was a cold smirk, as if he’d already won.
“Oh, Emily,” he cooed, his smile taking on a venomous edge. “Marriage is a business arrangement. And I’m a fan of profitable deals.” The words made my skin crawl, sending a shiver of dread down my spine. I felt trapped, as if the walls were closing in around me. But then something inside me snapped. Rage, sharp and pure, pushed past the fear. I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as I could muster.
“Fine,” I said, my voice trembling but strong. “I’ll get the money. I’ll have it by tomorrow.” I held his gaze, refusing to let him see an ounce of fear. “I’ll ask my father for the money you’ve requested. And as for working in this industry, with my degree, I have many other options!”
For the briefest moment, surprise flickered in his eyes, a crack in his unshakable demeanor. Did he forget that my father wasn’t just another name in his network? That he had power of his own? I pressed on, determined to remind him of what he’d underestimated. “Did you forget?” I asked, my voice turning cold. “My father is a very rich man. If this is how you treat people, maybe he was right to cut ties with you.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed, anger flashing across his face for a split second. But I wasn’t done. The audacity of his demands, trying to destroy my career before it even started, this was no longer just about him. This was about survival.
“You know,” I said, my voice cutting through the air, “it’s no wonder your ex-wife left. You’re so controlling, it’s suffocating. And I bet your brothers just stood by, letting you treat her however you wanted, lapdogs, every single one of them.”
The words lingered in the air, a poisonous accusation.
As his PA, I’d met all of Dominic’s brothers by now. They frequented the office for one business deal or another. I’d watched them interact with him in meetings, saw the way they followed his lead without question, like loyal shadows.
I turned on my heel and stormed out, leaving the door wide open behind me. At my desk just outside, I grabbed my handbag in one swift motion, ignoring the curious glances from the staff scattered around.
I reached the elevator with shaking hands, feeling a strange, hollow laugh rise in my throat. This man, I’d once looked up to him, admired him even. But this? This was a nightmare.
Outside, the cool wind hit me, but it did nothing to numb the panic creeping at the edges of my mind. I didn’t have the strength to face Kristi yet. I couldn’t explain everything to her; I was still unraveling it myself. So, I drove aimlessly at first until the familiar lights of a lounge caught my eye. I needed a moment, some space. A detour before I had to face the mess I was tangled in.
I pulled into the parking lot and hopped out of the car, my legs feeling unsteady beneath me. The door closed behind me with a quiet thud, and I made my way inside. The warmth of the lounge enveloped me as soon as I crossed the threshold. The low hum of quiet chatter and soft music gave me a temporary escape from the storm raging in my head.
I found a seat at the far end of the room, away from prying eyes, and placed my handbag on the table. My hands were shaking, so I ordered a sparkling water with lime, nothing strong, just something to calm my nerves.
As I took a deep breath, the drink arrived. The glass was cool against my fingertips, and I was about to take a sip when my phone buzzed in my handbag.
Reluctantly, I reached into my handbag and fumbled for the phone. My heart skipped a beat as I saw my father’s name flash across the screen.
“Em, where are you?” His voice was tight with concern. “Amber just saw your car outside a lounge. Why aren’t you at work?”
I swallowed hard, fighting the tremble in my voice. “Dad, I’m quitting my job,” I said. “First thing tomorrow.”
“Quitting? Why?” His voice softened with confusion.
I braced myself. My mind raced as I searched for the words. “Dominic—he tried to force me into marrying him. Said he’d ruin my career if I didn’t agree.” The words rushed out in a wave. My chest tightened as I spoke, hoping that, somehow, he'd see it too.
“I’m sorry, Emily, but I don’t have fifty million lying around. And I won’t be able to get my hands on that kind of money in three days.”
His words knocked the wind out of me and I had to fight to stay composed. “What do you mean you don’t have the money? You could get it borrowed, right?” My voice cracked, desperation seeping through. “Dad, he threatened me! Your daughter! Are you just going to let him get away with this?”
“Emily, this is all part of being an adult. You made a mistake, one that cost him dearly. To him, that’s just business.”
Business. The word echoed in my mind like a death sentence. “You’re siding with him?” I choked out, my voice rising. “This isn’t business; he’s trying to control my life!”
“If that’s what Dominic wants, I suggest you do as he says.”
My heart shattered into a million pieces as his indifference sank in. He wasn’t going to help me. He wasn’t going to fight for me. The man who had always promised to protect me, to stand by me no matter what, was handing me over to Dominic like a prize in a game he didn’t even care about.
“Is that it?” My voice trembled, barely more than a whisper. “You’re just—handing me over to him? Like some bargaining chip?”
“You’ll do as you’re told, Emily.”
The words ripped through me. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Confusion and fury collided in my chest, overwhelming me. Why was he so willing to hand me over to Dominic? They weren’t even friends anymore.
I hung up, the silence on the other end of the line echoing in my ears. The reality of it all came crashing down. No. This couldn’t be happening. But it was. And I was alone. The people I trusted, Dominic, my own father, had turned their backs on me, leaving me with nothing but an impossible choice.
I raised my hand, gesturing to the bartender. “I’ll have a margarita,” I said, my voice tight, betraying the exhaustion and frustration inside.
The drink came swiftly, the vibrant lime color almost too perfect, the salt on the rim inviting. I lifted the glass, hoping that the coolness of it in my fingers would offer me a brief distraction from my whirlwind thoughts. With a deep breath, I took a sip. The sharp tang of lime hit first, followed by the smooth warmth of tequila, the salt enhancing the bite. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the brief relief it brought. This was my escape, however temporary.
For a few moments, everything else faded. The world outside didn’t seem so harsh, the knot in my stomach loosened just slightly. The liquid in the glass pulling me away from my cruel reality.
I took another sip, trying to steady my racing thoughts. What now? My father’s words replayed in my mind: You’ll do as you’re told, Emily. Could I really let Dominic have his way? Let my father abandon me like this? My heart twisted with betrayal, but as the alcohol worked its magic, I felt a little less desperate, with each drink the bartender brought, and a little less alone.
Maybe running away was the only option left. Leave the country. Escape all of this. I was tempted, but I wasn’t sure how far I could run.
I hadn’t drunk much before, just a sip of wine with Kristi at graduation, nothing like this. The alcohol was already beginning to blur the edges of my thoughts, giving everything a hazy, foggy quality. The sharpness of reality softened, but it also left me feeling dizzy and disoriented. Maybe it was a bad idea to keep drinking, but I couldn’t stop. I needed something to dull the ache.
After a few glasses, I needed to go to the restroom. I set the glass down, the familiar feeling of nausea creeping up my throat as I stood, my feet unsteady beneath me, a slight wobble in my step. The room spun just enough to make me pause. I grabbed my purse from the table, trying to steady myself, and headed toward the bathroom.
I was almost to the door when I collided with someone, strong, solid, and smelling of expensive cologne. The impact jolted me, and for a moment, the world tilted.
A firm hand gripped my arm, steadying me. “Easy there.”
I looked up, ready to apologize, but then I saw him—Sebastien.
Annoyance flared in my chest. Great. Just what I needed.
“Oh, perfect,” I muttered, the sting of alcohol making my words sharper than I intended. I shot him a look, arching an eyebrow. “Did Dominic send you here to follow me like the lapdog that you are?”
Seb’s grip tightened, his gaze narrowing in confusion. "Emily, what are you talking about? Dominic didn’t send me. I own the place.”
I blinked, thrown off guard. Wait, he owns the lounge?
“Oh. Well, let me use the bathroom and leave, then.”
“You don’t have to leave, Emily.”
I jerked my arm out of his hand and stumbled. Sebastien reached toward me again, but I swatted his hand away.
“Damn these shoes,” I muttered, ripping them off and holding them in my hands, irritated by my lack of balance. My vision swam a little; the alcohol was making everything feel blurry and heavy.
Sebastien took a half-step toward me, his tone firm yet laced with concern. “Emily, are you drunk?”
“I’m not drunk,” I snapped, my words slurring slightly, frustration edging my voice. “I just need some space, alright?”
Seb didn’t back down. He stepped closer, his expression softening. “Let me help you.”
I closed my eyes, leaning back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. The dizziness swarmed my senses. God, I was going to be sick.
I laughed bitterly, opening my eyes to meet his. “A Quantum brother who actually wants to help me? Weird. Axel just sat there while Dominic tried to blackmail me into marrying him.”
Seb’s expression shifted to one of disbelief. “Wait, what? When did this happen?”
“At the office a while ago. I’m sure he’ll call you soon and tell you all about it.”
I pushed through the weakness in my legs, forcing myself to the restroom. I felt Seb’s eyes follow me until I disappeared into the restroom. A few minutes later, when I came out, he was still there, waiting.
“Emily, what’s going on with this whole marriage thing? What happened at the office?”
I shook my head, not wanting to dive into that mess. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about Dominic and what he had said. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I muttered, glancing toward the door. “I just want to go home.”
He stepped in front of me, blocking my way. “You’re not driving like this,” he said, voice firm.
I let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Letting me? What makes you think you can stop me?”
Seb’s green eyes were intense now, filled with something deeper than just concern. “If you leave like this, you could get into an accident. Or hurt someone else. Don’t let whatever you’re going through lead you to make a decision that you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”
His words hit me harder than I expected. I swallowed, a knot forming in my throat. “Fine.”
“Either I drop you home, or you call someone to pick you up. Your call.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed Kristi, quickly giving her the address, telling her to pick me up. When she confirmed she was on her way, I hung up before she could ask any questions.
“Good. Let’s wait in my office until she gets here.”
Sebastien guided me into his office, a cozy space with dark wood furniture and soft lighting that made everything feel calm and relaxed. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books and framed pictures, giving the room a personal touch. He handed me a bottle of water from the fridge on one side of the room and motioned for me to sit on the sofa. I took a sip. The cool liquid helping clear the fog in my mind, even if just a little.
I turned to him, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Seb, I’m sorry for what I said. I shouldn’t have. I was just really upset.”
“It’s okay,” he said, offering a small but genuine smile. “We all have our bad days.”
I leaned back, letting my head fall against the back of the sofa. My eyes felt heavy, my head pounding. Whether I liked it or not, I knew what I had to do.