CAUGHT IN THE BILLIONAIRE’S WEB

Emma’s Life Now

"You're considering it once more, Mom."

I look down at Max's face and blink, the words jolting me out of my reverie. His little fingers are wrapped around the rim of my coffee cup, which I had been holding for far too long while I was distracted. Max is always able to see trouble. I don't understand how he was able to be that observant at six years old. However, I never realized how much he and Lucas had received from their father.

"Uh-uh, I'm not," I answer, attempting to seem casual, but I know I've fallen short. To be honest, I think about it constantly. Even if my boys aren't aware of it yet, a history I buried far away from them will always be a part of their future. I can't seem to get rid of the pressure that feels like a weight on my chest all the time.

Max lifts one eyebrow, much as I do when I see him smuggling in extra nibbles. He is too observant and perceptive for his own good. His twin Lucas hardly looks up from his coloring book, concentrating only on the vivid crayon he is brandishing like a sword. He is the more reserved of the two; he is quiet and reflective, while Max is feisty and full of questions.

"All right. I grin at him and say, "Maybe just a little." Max just shrugs, content with my admission.

A few minutes before my shift finishes, my gaze darts to the wall clock. There isn't much foot traffic at the little bookshop I own, which is nestled away in this quiet town. You know each regular by name at this kind of restaurant. I've grown to adore this kind of location since it's so different from the craziness of my past.

And I've been content here for the most part. Life is easy sometimes too easy but it's secure. Nobody knows who I was or who I am underneath the soft cardigans and faded jeans there. Safe, tranquil, and most importantly, far from the nightmare I had fled.

I was taken aback when the bell above the entrance jingled for this reason.

My stomach fell as I glanced up, expecting to see a familiar face possibly a new guest seeking a comfortable book.

Jake Miller was standing at the doorway.

Time seems to stop. His wide figure was the only thing framed by the door as the bright afternoon sunshine outside became blurry. My chest pounded with my heart. This was not how it was intended to happen. It was unable to.

For years, Jake had been absent from my life. Years. I never thought I'd see him again after all that transpired between us. I definitely never imagined that he would return to this place, where I had meticulously established a life with my kids.

My terror was broken by Max's words. "Mom?" His eyes were wide and bewildered as he gazed at me.

I made myself concentrate so I could seem as if nothing was wrong, but on the inside, my world was falling apart.

Jake hadn't yet seen me. I took advantage of the opportunity to swiftly look at my boys; Lucas was still occupied and oblivious to the situation. Max, however, was too intelligent for his own good. He had most likely already noticed the change in my attitude.

I pretended to clean up a pile of books on the counter while turning away from Jake. His presence hovered in the room like an unwanted storm cloud, and I could feel him watching me. It took me a minute. A sigh.

"Who's that, Mom?" Max's voice was stern as he asked. Too sharp. His naive inquiry chilled me to the bone.

I forced my voice to remain even as I gulped. I responded, "Just a customer," without looking at him.

However, the room's air was suddenly dense. Max didn't believe it. I didn't either.

The tension was broken by a gentle, well-known voice. "Emma."

My heart tightened.

Fearful of what I may see in his eyes, I turned cautiously. What would I observe? Feeling sorry? Fury? Fear?

Even though I couldn't read Jake's expression, I could feel the grief in his gaze. Now older and more solemn, he had the type of angular lines that resulted from years of toil. His stare, however, was as intense as ever. No time seems to have gone. The guy who had previously captured my heart was still there. I vowed never to let the guy harm me again.

Even though the moment seemed brittle, like a thread I was barely clinging to, I did my best to maintain my calm. "Why are you in this place?" My comments came out harsher than I meant when I asked.

Jake stepped forward cautiously. "Emma, I have been trying to find you."

I gave a sour chuckle. "You decided to find me here after years? In a little town with no activity? How bitter I sounded didn't matter to me. How furious I was didn't matter to me. I no longer had a place in my life for the guy who had abandoned me when I was pregnant and deceived.

However, he resumed speaking in a quiet, almost whispery tone. "Emma, I was unaware of the twins."

The words struck me with the force of a wrecking ball. I became cold. The twins.

Lucas and Max. His boys. His kids.

Suddenly, I was out of breath. A panic attack swept over me, and my throat tightened. He was unable to know. Not quite yet.

I suppressed my dread. I was unable to show him how his remarks affected me. I was unable to reveal to him what I had hidden so deeply.

"Don't do this, Jake," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "You don't get to return to their lives and mine and act as if nothing is wrong. For that, it is too late.

He didn't back down, however. I was unable to escape him like a hurricane. "Emma, I—"

With my head spinning, I shook my head. "I had a purpose for leaving. An excellent explanation. Jake, you weren't involved. You weren't.

He stepped closer and added, "I made a mistake." "A big one. Now I am aware of it. And I've regretted it for years. I just must 

I interjected, trying to control my shaking voice, "You need to leave." "Go, Jake, and don't return."

I walked to the counter to cover my trembling hands and turned my back on him. My pulse was loud in my ears and my heart pounded in my chest. For all he had stolen from me, I wanted to scream and shout at him.

Jake repeated, his voice strained with desire, "Emma." "I won't be leaving. Not until you explain the situation to me. Be honest with me.

It was more than I could handle. "I have nothing to share," I answered sharply. "You're not worthy of knowing anything about me. Not right now. Not after your actions.

I could feel his gaze on me. As I turned away, I could feel his eyes pressing down on my back. But before I could add another word, a voice a chilly, threatening voice cut us off.

"As I live and breathe, Emma Hayes."

Every muscle in my body tensed as I froze. I didn't need to look back. I recognized the person.

Dominic Roth.

My history was owned by this guy. The guy who had purchased me. The guy who had inspired me to abandon everything.

Dominic responded in a mocking tone, "Don't tell me you've been hiding here all these years." "I always anticipated that you would be the one to flee. However, hiding won't last forever.

Behind me, I felt Jake tighten, his demeanor exuding bewilderment and rage. He asked, "Who the hell is this?"

Dominic gave a sinister, deep laugh. "You're not sure, are you? Emma never mentioned me to you, did she?

With every part of me screaming to flee, I closed my eyes. However, I was unable to. Not right now. Not with my kids so near.

Max's voice, his fear-tinged innocent inquiry, cut through the tension. "Mom? Who is that man?

The remarks were like a kick to the belly. When I opened my eyes, Dominic's icy stare was fixed on my boys.

I forced myself to say, "Let's just say he's someone I was trying to forget." However, I knew deep down that this was just the beginning.

And at last, I had been overtaken by the past.