Chapter 9 - The Trial in the Snow
Emma stared at him, her breath hitching in her throat. “Adrian, be realistic. We live in two completely different universes. You’re a billionaire who controls shipping empires. I’m a girl from the foster system who cleans grease traps at Bellini’s.”
“I don’t care about the shipping empires,” Adrian stepped closer, his voice fierce with conviction. “Before you walked into this house, this place was a tomb. I was a ghost, Sophie was fading away, and we were drowning in our own grief. In twenty-four hours, you brought life back into these rooms. Sophie laughed today. Truly laughed, for the first time in two years.”
“She’s a child,” Emma whispered, fighting the sudden sting of tears in her eyes. “She’s attached to the novelty of having someone around.”
“And what about me?” Adrian asked, his voice raw.
The question hung in the air between them, electric and heavy. Emma felt her pulse race wildly. She had spent her entire life convincing herself that she didn't need anyone, that keeping people at a distance was the only way to avoid the crushing pain of abandonment. But standing here, in this vast glass penthouse with this powerful, wounded man looking at her as if she were the only thing that mattered in the city, her defenses began to crumble.
“Dad! Emma!”
Sophie came running down the hallway, her little boots sliding across the polished wood. She skidded to a halt in front of them, taking in Emma’s packed bag and the coat draped over her arm. Her face fell instantly.
“You’re leaving,” Sophie said, her lower lip trembling.
Emma crouched down, meeting Sophie at eye level just as she had the night before in the darkened diner. “Sweetie, I have to go back to my apartment. But we had an amazing Christmas, didn't we?”
“No,” Sophie said, tears spilling over her eyelashes. “You promised! You said you knew what it felt like when everybody else has somewhere they belong!”
The words hit Emma like a physical blow, knocking the wind right out of her chest.
“I do know, Sophie,” Emma whispered, her voice cracking.
“Then why are you going back to an empty room?” Sophie cried, reaching out and wrapping both arms tightly around Emma’s neck, burying her face into Emma’s shoulder. “Stay here with us. We have lots of room. We have so many rooms nobody even uses!”
Emma closed her eyes, hugging the little girl back as tears finally slipped down her own cheeks. Over Sophie’s shoulder, she looked up at Adrian.
May you like
He was watching them with an expression of profound, aching hope. He extended a hand down toward her.
“Stay, Emma,” Adrian said softly. “Not as an employee. Not for fifty thousand dollars. Stay because you belong here. With us.”
