Chapter 37 We're Just Pretending to Be a Couple

Grace stared at the disconnected phone, practically seething. "Emily, you used to not even dare to look me in the eye, now you have the nerve to blow me off."

Her chest was heaving with anger. After what felt like forever, she finally called James, her face like a thundercloud. "James, why did you divorce Emily? Do you have any idea what people are saying about our family?"

James frowned as he listened, deep in thought. 'I didn't tell anyone about the divorce because I didn't want Sophia to worry, and I even kept it from Chase. How did this get out? Did Emily spread the news on purpose?'

"Mom, it's complicated. Emily and I did get divorced, but it was mutual. You don't need to stress about it." James rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"Don't need to stress? How can I not stress?" Grace's voice shot up, her tone so sharp it twisted her face. "Are you seeing Olivia again? I knew nothing good would come from her coming back. James, if you care about this family, you better cut ties with her right now!"

James's voice turned icy at the mention of Olivia. Forced into marriage by his parents while he was in a coma, he had spent years solidifying his position in the Smith family since waking up. He no longer feared Grace's wrath.

"Mother, I have my own plans regarding Olivia. I followed your wishes once. I'm not a kid anymore, so stop trying to control me." His voice was cold and firm.

Grace was stunned. She knew James's current standing in the family and remembered how he once risked everything for Olivia. Now that they were involved again, separating them wouldn't be easy. She had to swallow her anger and think ahead.

"Fine, I can't control you. But Emily just divorced you and is now involved with John from the Williams Family, who just got back from abroad. Did you know Mrs. Williams publicly acknowledged Emily as John's future wife today? You might not care, but the Smith Family's reputation is on the line. Your dad and I are respectable people, and so are you. If you don't want to be a laughingstock, sort out your personal issues fast!" With that, Grace hung up and collapsed on the couch, fuming.

James finally caught the important part of Grace's rant. 'Emily has already met John's parents and got Mrs. Williams's approval? She told me she and John were just friends just a few days ago!'

His face twisted with jealousy and anger, and he clenched his fists, struggling to keep his cool.

As evening fell, Emily said goodbye to David and left the rehab center. She spotted a black SUV parked at the entrance, standing out on the quiet street.

The license plate looked familiar; she recognized it as James's car right away.

Sure enough, before she could dodge, the car door swung open, and there was James, his cold eyes locked on her. "Get in the car, Emily."

'Oh, crap,' Emily thought with a sigh and climbed in. "James, about John and me..."

Before she could finish, James grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in hard. Their lips crashed together, and she let out a surprised groan. James didn't let up, stealing her breath with a relentless kiss.

Emily's eyes went wide, and she couldn't pull away. She wanted to escape, but James had her pinned.

They kissed for what felt like forever, until Emily was gasping for air. Only then did James bite her lower lip and let go.

The car felt like it was heating up by the second.

Seeing Emily's swollen, blood-tinged lips and her tear-filled eyes, James felt his anger ease a bit.

But he wasn't done. He lowered the car seat, pinning her hands down, while his other hand slipped into her shirt.

"No, you can't do this!" Emily gasped, too weak to fight back, squirming as James found and unhooked her bra.

With a flick of his fingers, her bra came loose, and his rough hand kneaded her chest.

"James, we can't keep doing this!" Tears streamed down Emily's face, a mix of pain and shame.

'James has Olivia, yet he keeps coming back to me. It's too much. It's not fair to Olivia, and if someone snaps a photo, it'll ruin the Williams Family's reputation,' Emily thought.

"Can't keep doing this?" James sneered, his hand still moving. "But you can be with John? What did you tell me a few days ago? And now, just two days later, you're with him?"

"No." Emily's cries turned into soft whimpers. "John and I are just pretending. It's not what you think."

Pleasure and shame mixed, making Emily's face flush, her exposed skin turning a deep red.

"Pretending?" James looked stunned, eyeing her suspiciously. "Why would he pretend with you, to the point where Mrs. Williams is calling you his future wife?"

Taking advantage of his distraction, Emily quickly buttoned her clothes, panting softly. "The Johnson Family is in trouble. My dad wanted me to find help, so I turned to John. He's under pressure to get married, so he asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend for a family dinner. Mrs. Williams and I are close, and she likes me. But John and I are just friends, nothing more."

After a pause, Emily continued, her voice tinged with shame and anger, "And can you not do this to me again? We're divorced, James!"

Emily looked up, her eyes red, accusing James.