Chapter 6

EMMA

The Morgan family dinner happened every month. A tradition Elizabeth insisted on maintaining. Tonight was no different, except I'd been back from Paris for three days and this was my first time attending since my return.

I stood by the window of the Morgan masion, watching Blake's car pull up the driveway. Finally. We'd been waiting for over an hour.

Elizabeth kept glancing at her watch. Victoria looked bored, scrolling through her phone. But I maintained my smile. Patient. Composed.

Blake got out first. Then he walked around to open the passenger door.

Aria stumbled out. Her hair was a mess. Her eyes half-closed. She'd been sleeping in his car.

How domestic.

I walked to the entrance hall just as they came through the door. Blake looked tired. Frustrated. Aria looked worse.

"Blake!" I rushed forward. Wrapped my arms around him before he could react. "I've been waiting for you."

He stiffened. Then relaxed slightly. "Sorry. Got held up."

I pulled back but kept my hand on his arm. Turned to Aria with my warmest smile. "You must be exhausted. Come, dinner's ready."

Aria mumbled something. Followed us into the dining room.

Elizabeth stood as we entered. "Blake, dear. We were getting worried."

"Traffic," Blake said shortly.

I guided him to his usual seat at the head of the table. Then I took the chair to his right. The seat I'd claimed since childhood. Elizabeth sat across from me. Victoria next to her mother.

That left the chair at the far end. The corner seat near the kitchen door.

"Aria, why don't you sit there?" I gestured gracefully. "You'll be closer to the staff if you need anything."

Elizabeth frowned. "Emma, perhaps—"

"It's fine," Aria said quietly. She moved to the corner seat.

The staff began serving. I'd specifically requested salmon bisque tonight. Rich. Creamy. The scent filled the room.

I watched Aria's face as her bowl was placed before her. She went pale. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Interesting.

"Aria, dear, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm fine. Just—" Aria pushed back from the table. "Excuse me."

She practically ran from the room. I counted to five. Then stood.

"I should check on her." I smiled at Elizabeth. "Woman to woman, you know."

I found Aria in the powder room. The door was ajar. She was bent over the sink, dry heaving. Her whole body shook.

I pushed the door open. "Need help?"

She jumped. Turned on the faucet quickly. "I'm fine. Just tired."

"The salmon can be quite rich." I handed her a towel. "Take your time."

"Thank you." She dried her face with shaking hands. Wouldn't meet my eyes.

"We should get back. Elizabeth will worry."

She nodded. Followed me out.

I walked back to the dining room. Sat down. Picked up my spoon.

The nausea. The exhaustion. The way her hand had trembled when she pushed that bowl away.

She was pregnant. I was certain.

"Is she alright?" Elizabeth asked.

"Just tired. She'll be back in a moment."

Aria returned five minutes later. Sat in her corner seat. The staff had replaced her salmon bisque with clear broth.

I watched her eat. Or try to. She barely touched anything except the spicy kimchi Victoria had requested. She ate that with surprising appetite.

My suspicion became certainty.

The memory hit me then. Unwanted. Unwelcome.

Paris. Last year. The young director with dark eyes and easy promises. He'd made me feel alive in ways Blake never had. Passionate. Desired. Chosen.

"You're extraordinary," he'd whispered. "Not just another rich girl."

I'd believed him. Stupid. So stupid.

When I'd told him about the pregnancy, his face had gone blank. Cold.

"I thought you were on the pill."

"I was. Sometimes it fails."

He'd leaned back. Lit a cigarette. "So take care of it."

"Take care of it?" I'd repeated. Numb.

"Yeah. We both have careers. This doesn't work for either of us." He'd exhaled smoke. "There's a clinic on Rue de la Santé. Very discreet."

I'd gone alone. Sat in that sterile room alone. Bled alone.

He'd texted me once after. [You good?]

That was it.

I vowed never to make that mistake again. Blake might not love me the way I wanted, but he'd never abandon me. Never treat me as disposable.

He was reliable. Solid. Mine.

"Emma?" Blake's voice pulled me back. "You alright?"

"Just thinking about Paris." I touched his hand. "I'm so glad to be home."

He gave me a small smile. The kind he reserved for me. Warm but distant.

I remembered throwing Blake a surprise party at the estate once. After most guests left, I'd found him on the terrace with Matthew.

They hadn't seen me approach.

"You should have kids, man," Matthew was saying. "Continue the Morgan line."

Blake had laughed. Short. Bitter. "With who? Emma's focused on her career. And Aria—" He'd stopped.

"What about Aria? She's your wife."

"She's a contract. Nothing more." Blake's voice turned cold. "If she ever got pregnant, I'd make sure it didn't happen."

"That's harsh, man."

"She doesn't deserve to carry a Morgan child. Do you know how we ended up married?" Blake paused. "She drugged me three years ago. Set the whole thing up. Got herself into my bed through the most disgusting way possible."

"Seriously?"

"The only time in my life I've been manipulated. The only time someone got the better of me through such tactics." Blake's voice was ice. "I'll never forgive that. And I'll never let her trap me with a child."

My chest had tightened. So he still believed that story. Still thought Aria had planned everything.

But it was enough. Enough to make me realize what I'd been denying. Blake felt obligation toward me, not love. And if Aria gave him an heir, I'd lose even that.

I'd walked away before they could see me. But not before I noticed another figure in the shadows. Aria. She'd heard everything too.

Now I watched her pick at her food. Her hand occasionally drifted to her stomach. An unconscious gesture.

She was pregnant. I was certain.

And if she had that baby, everything I'd worked for would disappear. Blake would feel bound to her. The mother of his child. The Morgan heir.

No.

I'd lost one baby. I wouldn't lose Blake too.

Dinner ended. Elizabeth kissed my cheek. "Come visit me soon, dear."

"Of course." I hugged her. "Thank you for having me."

Blake walked me to my car. Aria had already disappeared upstairs.

"Drive safe," he said.

"Always." I touched his face. "I missed you, you know. While I was away."

"I missed you too." He said it automatically. Without thought.

I got in my car. Drove three blocks. Pulled over. Took out my phone.

The number was saved under a fake name. I dialed.

Two rings. Then a rough voice. "Yeah?"

"It's me," I whispered. "Proceed with our plan. Remember, make it convincing."