Chapter 16 - Emily
Lucy stirred in my arms, and I blinked, taking in the peaceful moment. Lucy stretched, her little body curling and unfolding like a sleepy kitten.
“Hey, sweetheart, had a good rest?” I whispered, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
She nodded, her arms still wrapped around me, pulling me closer. “Mhm,” she murmured, burying her face in my chest.
“Do you want me to get you something to eat, or would you prefer more cuddles?”
“I’ll take more cuddles for a few minutes, then dinner,” she said, her voice soft and content.
“Anything you say,” I replied, smiling down at her as I tightened my embrace.
As I held Lucy close, my thoughts drifted back to the events of the afternoon. We had been so close… if I hadn’t seen that car in time or if I had reacted even a fraction too late…what would have happened then? I pushed the melancholy thoughts away, focusing on the warmth of Lucy in my arms. I squeezed her gently, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Lucy may not have been my daughter biologically, but in every way that mattered, she was mine. Mine to care for. Mine to protect. And nothing, nothing , was going to change that.
As I turned my head to the side, I caught sight of Dominic’s briefcase on the coffee table. His briefcase, meaning he was around.
“Lucy, I think Dad’s home,” I said softly.
Lucy sat up, her eyes lighting up. “Can I go look for him?”
“Sure, sweetheart,” I replied with a smile.
Lucy scrambled over me and hurried off in search of Dominic, her little feet padding across the floor. I sighed, trying to sit up, but the pain in my side reminded me it was still there, though it had dulled for now. My muscles felt stiff, and I winced as I shifted into a sitting position, the ache settling deep.
I leaned my head back against the sofa and closed my eyes, trying to relax.
“Mrs. Quantum, I’m about to serve dinner. Should I set a plate for you?”
I opened my eyes and turned to see Mrs. Kensington standing there, her face softened with concern, the gentle wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepening. When she found out what had happened, she was beside herself with worry, her tears falling freely as she wrapped both Lucy and me in a warm embrace. She fussed over us like a mother hen, making sure we were okay, and I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for her kindness. I saw why Dominic, his brothers and Lucy were so fond of her, she was more than a housekeeper; she was like family, a true protector in her own way, and I was so thankful to have her by our side.
“I’m not really hungry, but can I please have a glass of juice?” I said softly.
“Mrs. Quantum, you should at least eat something,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “Maybe a sandwich or even a bagel, please.”
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. “Mrs. Kensington, I don’t want you to fuss and make me a sandwich just for me to take one bite of it.”
Her expression softened further. “Let this old woman fuss over you. It’s my job.”
I let out a small laugh despite myself, knowing I wouldn’t win this one. “Fine. I’ll take half a bagel and a glass of juice.”
“Should I serve it here, or will you be eating with Mr. Quantum and Lucy?”
“I’ll eat with them,” I replied.
Mrs. Kensington gave me one last encouraging smile before retreating to the kitchen. As much as I wanted to stay curled up here alone, I knew Lucy would wonder if I didn’t join them. And Lucy needed normalcy tonight. So, for now, I would pretend everything was okay. I’d plaster on a smile and tuck away the heaviness in my chest until I could sort through it later.
But as Mrs. Kensington disappeared from view, I rose slowly and drifted towards the window, arms wrapped tightly around myself. The events of the afternoon refused to leave me, looping endlessly in my mind. The accident wasn’t just some terrible fluke—I felt it in my gut. Someone had tried to hurt us. And Dominic... Dominic was hiding something.
I must have stayed by the window longer than I realized because I jumped when someone touched my arm.
“Emily, I didn’t mean to startle you. I called your name, but you didn’t respond,” Dominic said softly, his hand lingering on my arm for just a moment too long.
I turned to face him, and a sharp pain shot through my side, but I masked it.
“Emily, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I replied quickly, avoiding his gaze. But the sharpness in my tone betrayed me.
His jaw tightened. I saw the flicker of frustration and something deeper, more raw, flash in his eyes.
“Are you sure you’re ok? Do you need to see a doctor?” he repeated, his voice low but pressing as if he needed to hear me say it.
“Dominic, I’m ok, really.”
He didn’t press further. His shoulders stiffened, and the warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a sudden coldness. “Thanks for what you did today—with Lucy.” His words were polite but distant, like he was saying them out of obligation, not gratitude.
“I did what any mother would do for her child.”
“I really appreciate it,” he muttered, his voice flat.
“Daddy! Aunty Emily! Dinner’s ready!” Lucy’s cheerful voice cut through the tension, and his expression softened immediately.
“Ok, sweetheart. We’ll be right there,” he said, his smile returning, but it was only for Lucy. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
Dinner was awkward. I tried my best to be cheerful, for Lucy’s sake, but Dominic... he didn’t acknowledge my presence. You’d think by now I’d be used to his changing moods, but this one felt different, personal, especially after what happened earlier.
After dinner, Lucy wanted to play a game, and Dominic was all in. As they laughed and joked, I felt like a shadow, forgotten in the corner. But I refused to let it affect me. I couldn’t let Dominic’s coldness ruin Lucy’s joy, so I kept my emotions in check, forcing a smile.
When the game was over and he stood to take Lucy to bed, he didn’t even look at me.
“Okay, Lucy, let’s pack up and get you ready for bed,” Dominic said.
“You can go ahead, I’ll pack up,” I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Dominic nodded and he held Lucy’s hand and they walked away.
As I packed up the game, despite Dominic totally ignoring me, I couldn’t help but notice the way he interacted with Lucy during the game. It had warmed my heart in ways I hadn’t expected. He leaned in, listening intently as she shared her feelings about what had happened earlier. When she stumbled over her words, he gently encouraged her to keep going, his calm and steady voice soothing her worries. Each nod and reassuring word seemed to promise her that he’d always be there, creating a quiet haven of comfort and safety just for her.
It brought back memories of my own dad, back when he was the best dad in the whole wide world. The kind who could make me feel like nothing bad could ever touch me as long as he was there. Back then, he was invincible, the best dad in the whole wide world, my unshakable hero.
But as the sweetness of the memory faded, it left behind an ache. Life had a way of twisting things, turning even the most solid foundations into something unrecognizable.
Now, looking back, I realized that ever since Amber entered Dad’s life, everything had changed. He used to visit me often when I was in college, but the last few months, there was always an excuse. And it wasn’t just his visits, he had become more reserved with money when it came to me, while she got whatever she wanted without hesitation. The worst part was how he no longer made decisions on his own; it was as if she held the reins, always whispering in his ear, guiding his every move.
My thoughts were interrupted by Lucy. “Aunty Emily, can I have a hug good night before Dad and I read our bedtime story?”
I looked up to see her standing next to me.
“Of course, sweetheart,” I replied and pulled her into a hug, a comfort I didn't realize I needed.
I kissed her forehead. “Enjoy your story, okay?”
She nodded, still holding me tight. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered back, squeezing her a little tighter before setting her free.
As she skipped off leaving me alone, I finished packing up the game and quietly made my way to my room. Once inside, I closed the door behind me and walked into the bathroom.
I turned the shower on, cranking the temperature as high as I could stand, letting the hot water pour over me. It eased some of the tension in my body, the heat helping to dull the ache that had settled in my muscles. I stood there for a long while, letting the water do its work until I felt a little less raw.
Afterwards, I wrapped myself in a robe and took two painkillers, hoping the dull throb in my side would finally subside. The last thing I needed was to be reminded of how close I’d come to losing Lucy, or worse, my life.
I padded back to my bedroom and was about to slip under the covers when the door to my room creaked open, and there he was, Dominic. My heart skipped a beat.
“Dominic?”
What was he doing in my room?
“Is everything okay? Is Lucy okay?” Panic rose in me.
He didn’t answer right away. He paced the room as though wrestling with something, and for a moment, I wondered if he’d heard anything I’d said. When he finally turned to face me, his jaw was tight, and his eyes dark with something unreadable.
“Why are you always so stubborn?” he asked, his voice rough with frustration. “Why do we always have to fight over the things that matter most? Why do you have to push me away when all I want is to be close to you?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he silenced me with a finger pressed gently to my lips. The touch sent a shiver down my spine, and his gaze softened, though there was still an intensity that made my heart race.
“Do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?” he murmured, his voice husky. “How fucking torturous it is for me to live in this house with you and act like we’re just—roommates? Like it doesn’t kill me to see you every day, to be so close to you, but knowing I can’t have you. There’s something about you, Emily. Something that no one else has been able to stir in me. And then you go and risk your life for Lucy—”
His words were a dark confession laced with desire and pain. Before I could process his words, he closed the distance between us, his chest pressing against me, his hot breath grazing my skin. My pulse quickened as my breathing grew shallow and erratic.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he whispered against my lips, his voice thick with need.
Before I could answer, his lips crashed onto mine and in one swift motion, he pinned me against the wall. His hand found my throat, squeezing gently, erotically, sending a shiver between my thighs. His kiss was fierce, desperate, as if he were starving for something only I could give him. His tongue coaxed mine, igniting every nerve in my body. Everything else faded away, the ache in my body, the confusion in my mind, it all disappeared in that single moment.