Chapter 4: The Morning After

Emma woke up slowly.

For a few seconds, everything felt normal.

The bed was soft.

The room was warm.

Sunlight slipped through the curtains.

Then reality returned.

Her eyes opened immediately.

This wasn't her room.

Emma sat up too quickly and looked around.

Large windows.

Cream-colored walls.

Furniture that probably cost more than her yearly rent.

Right.

The cliff.

Ethan.

The mansion.

It wasn't a dream.

She pressed her fingers against her forehead.

Yesterday felt unreal now.

Like it had happened to someone else.

A soft knock came from the door.

Emma straightened.

"Come in."

The door opened and Mrs. Wilson stepped inside carrying a tray.

She smiled kindly.

"Good morning."

Emma quickly stood up.

"Good morning."

Mrs. Wilson placed the tray down.

"I brought breakfast."

Emma blinked.

"You didn't have to—"

"It's no trouble."

Emma stared at the tray.

Toast.

Eggs.

Fruit.

Coffee.

It looked too perfect.

Her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Nobody had done something this simple for her in a long time.

She suddenly remembered all those mornings making breakfast for her fiancé.

And not once had he done the same for her.

She looked away.

Mrs. Wilson seemed to notice.

"You should eat while it's warm."

Emma nodded.

"Thank you."

The older woman smiled.

"Mr. Black asked me to check on you."

Emma looked up.

"He did?"

Mrs. Wilson nodded casually.

"He left early this morning."

Something inside Emma quietly settled.

Of course.

What did she expect?

That a billionaire would stay home because of a stranger?

She almost laughed at herself.

After breakfast and a shower, Emma changed into the clothes left in the room.

They fit perfectly.

That felt suspicious.

How did they know her size?

She decided not to think about it.

When she walked downstairs, she froze.

The living room was enormous.

Floor-to-ceiling windows.

Modern furniture.

Everything looked expensive but strangely cold.

A maid noticed her.

"Miss Carter, Mr. Black said you can stay as long as you need."

Emma immediately shook her head.

"No. I'll leave today."

The maid smiled politely.

"Mr. Black said you'd say that."

Emma frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Before the maid could answer—

The front door opened.

Emma turned.

A man in a navy suit walked in carrying a tablet.

He looked around thirty and stopped the moment he saw her.

His eyes widened slightly.

"Oh."

Emma blinked.

He blinked.

Then suddenly—

His expression changed.

His eyes lit up.

He walked toward her.

Fast.

Too fast.

He stopped in front of her and smiled.

"So you're Emma."

Emma took a small step back.

"...Yes?"

He held out his hand.

"I'm Mason."

Emma carefully shook it.

His smile grew.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Emma immediately became suspicious.

Mason noticed.

"Relax. I'm not dangerous."

She looked him up and down.

That was exactly what dangerous people said.

Mason laughed.

Then lowered his voice dramatically.

"You know... you're the first woman Mr. Black has ever brought home."

Emma nearly dropped his hand.

"What?"

Mason grinned.

"Last week he made someone leave because they touched his office chair."

Emma stared.

She wasn't sure if he was joking.

Unfortunately—

Mason looked completely serious.

Emma suddenly didn't know what to think anymore.

Before she could respond, a familiar deep voice came from behind them.

"Mason."

The smile disappeared from Mason's face instantly.

He stepped back.

Ethan walked in.

His expression was calm.

Cold.

His gaze moved from Mason to Emma.

Then he said—

"Stop scaring my guest."

Emma looked at Ethan.

For some reason—

Seeing him return made the mansion feel a little less empty.

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