Chapter 50
Will’s head popped up.
“I said I would give you anything else you wanted. And you ask for that? No.”
Emma wouldn’t budge on her condition. She knew that more than anything, she was addicted to how Will made her feel whenever he touched her. She was powerless against him. He could do whatever he wanted to her and she would let him. If she took sex off the table, she could keep her wits about her.
“This is a negotiation. You’re under pressure from your company and your grandfather to get married. So you almost don’t have a choice but to accept. And you better watch how you speak to me and how you treat me. There won’t be a wedding if these conditions aren’t met.”
Will just stared at her. There was no emotion in his eyes. To her surprise, he didn’t argue.
“You better hope you don’t regret it.”
Emma lifted her chin, and ignored him. *I will regret it.*
“This is a partnership. We are equals in this so you need to respect me. I’m not your ‘pet’ anymore.”
Will just blinked at her, keeping every emotion out of his expression.
“Fine,” he said. “Your identity will be revealed to the media.” Will walked up to her grabbed her chin, making her look up at him. Her eyes were defiant. He could tell how he made her feel, and that she was fighting it. “So, get ready for that… CinderEmma.”
She quivered at the call back from when they met. He was right. The paparazzi was probably hungry for a photo of William’s Stewart’s elusive fiancée. The wedding was the social event of the season. She was a real Cinderella, and she was marrying a prince. A narcissistic, arrogant, self-absorbed prince. But a prince nonetheless.
“Before that happens, I want to talk to my father. I want him to hear this from me and not from the media.”
“Fine,” Will agreed and let her go. “Welcome to the Stewart family.” Will walked away, and Emma sunk into the couch.
“I’m getting married,” she said to no one. The words were hollow and didn’t hold the weight that she dreamed they would. They tasted like flat, warm soda. It was something that once tasted delicious and made you feel happy. But now it was something that should have been thrown away. She didn’t feel like a happy blushing bride. She felt like an employee.
She freshened up before going to see her father. Jack, the driver was waiting for her. He congratulated her on the engagement. Emma realized then that she would have to get used to that. And she would also have to put on a show. People needed to believe she was a happy bride-to-be.
“Thank you, Jack. It’s happening so fast,” she smiled.
“A good old fashioned whirlwind romance, huh?” Jack smiled back.
“Oh yes,” she lied. “We just can’t wait.”
“That’s lovely. Where to, Miss Emma?”
“Going to see my father, please.”
“Of course. We’ll be there right away.”
Jack drove her to the private hospital and let her know that he would be available to pick her up.
Her father was resting in his bed. She sat next to him.
“Hi Daddy,” she greeted him. He was able to turn his head to look at her. There was a heartbreaking sadness and guilt in his eyes. Ever since the incident with Jane and Maurice, he looked at her that way. He blamed himself for not being able to save her. She hated that he felt like that, and no matter what she said to him, he held onto that guilt.
“Hi… Emma,” he managed.
“You’re doing so much better,” she kissed his forehead. “Are you feeling better.”
“Better… today,” he rasped. Emma’s heart swelled. The doctors had mentioned that speaking would be a difficult obstacle for him to overcome. Every word that came out of his mouth was a triumph, and she celebrated every single one.
“I’m so proud of you, Daddy. You’ve done so well, and made so much progress. I know we lost so much time together, but things will get so much better. You’re going to heal, and everything will be okay. I have some news for you.”
Emmett nodded at her to continue.
“Remember the man who saved me… that day?” he nodded again, a pained look in his face. “He’s asked me to marry him. And I said yes. I’m getting married, Daddy.” His reaction gave those words the weight they were missing. Tears welled up in Emmett’s eyes, and wobbly smile spread across his face.
“I… I… happy… for you,” he cried. Emma couldn’t hold back her own tears. She hugged her father, and almost lost it completely when she felt him try to hug her back. His arms struggled to move to her back. Emma hadn’t received a hug from her father in years. For this alone, she would be eternally grateful to Will. Life worked in mysterious ways. Will somehow gave her father back to her.
She pulled away from him and saw him trying to remove something from his pocket.
“What do you need?” she asked, wiping her tears away.
“Pock… Pock..et…” his hands were violently trembling with effort.
“Let me help you.” She pulled a necklace out of his pocket. Fresh tears stung her eyes as she recognized her mother’s necklace. How did he manage to find this, and bring it from home?
“Mo…More…” he pointed to the pocket. She looked in the pocket and found a note in his pocket.
*Emma, the nurses helped me write this note to you. One pointed to a board with letters and another wrote it down. Please forgive me for abandoning you for so many years. I’m doing my best to recover so that I can be the father you deserve, even if I don’t have much time left to do it in. The men that helped us that day, helped me find this necklace to give to you. I know she looks down on you and is so proud of you and I am too. I left you for so long and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you so much, and I hope that you can forgive me. Daddy.*
“Daddy,” Emma choked back tears. “I do forgive you. I know you were hurting when we lost mom. But I forgive you. I love you.” She put the necklace on. It was a delicate gold chain with a lovely moonstone pendant. She has always admired it as a child, and now it was hers.
“Be… ha… happy,” he whispered.
“I will be happy, Daddy. I will be happy,” she whispered as she hugged her father. She was entering a loveless marriage with a man who most likely hated her. But she would be happy. She had to be.