Noah Taylor was drowning his sorrows in whiskey at a bar when his phone buzzed with Emma Johnson's name on the screen. His heart leaped with unexpected joy.
"Why is it so loud there? Is Isabella with you?"
Noah hadn't anticipated those would be her first words.
"I'm at a bar. Isabella's at home. What's going on?"
Despite the alcohol clouding his mind, he managed to answer her.
"Something might be wrong with Isabella. Go home now. I'll be there soon."
Emma hung up without giving him a chance to respond.
Noah couldn't understand why Emma would say that. He'd stormed out after a fight with Isabella. Could she have done something drastic?
The thought sent ice through his veins. He grabbed his keys, abandoned his drink, and sped back to the villa he shared with Isabella.
"Where are you going this late?"
Liam Williams watched Emma change out of her pajamas, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I'm going to Isabella's. I might be late. Can you ask Matthew to drive me to Willow Creek Drive?"
"I'll take you myself."
Liam grabbed his keys before Emma could protest, sliding into his Land Rover.
Though Emma didn't want Liam to run into Noah, she had no choice. Time was critical. Who knew what irreversible tragedy could happen if they delayed?
By some twist of fate, all three arrived at the villa's entrance simultaneously. Noah's expression twisted when he spotted Liam, but he unlocked the door without a word.
The living room blazed with light, but Isabella was nowhere in sight.
Water rushed from the bathroom. Emma sprinted toward the sound. Her heart stopped.
Isabella lay in her pajamas inside a filled bathtub, one arm draped over the edge. A thin line of red traced from her wrist, dripping blood into the water.
"Isabella!"
Noah rushed past Emma, lifting Isabella from the tub. Emma followed as he carried her to the bed.
"Cousin, I'm returning Noah to you. Is it too late?"
Though the blood loss wasn't severe, Isabella's voice sounded hollow. Her pale lips curved into a bitter smile aimed at Emma.
Emma stood frozen by the bed, silent.
"Isabella, you—"
Noah couldn't find the right words. He'd only suggested they visit Sunrise Manor together. He never expected Isabella to react so violently. This wasn't the gentle, quiet woman he knew.
In his anger, he'd said he regretted breaking up with Emma and stormed out.
He never imagined this would happen just hours later.
"Cousin, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken Noah from you. But I truly love him. Now I understand—Noah has always carried you in his heart. And you must still love him too. Seven years together—you can't just throw that away. I won't steal him anymore. I know I was wrong, cousin."
Isabella confessed her sins, her eyes pleading. Emma stared at her, her gaze unreadable. After a long moment, she finally spoke.
"Isabella, the past is past. No matter what you say, it changes nothing. I'm someone else's wife now. I don't love Noah anymore. For the sake of you being my only cousin, I'll give you one last piece of advice—no matter what happens, never toy with your own life. Rest well. I'm leaving."
"Cousin—"
"Emma—"
Both Isabella and Noah called after her, but Emma ignored them. A wave of anger washed over her. What was her cousin thinking? What did she take Emma for?
Just because Emma didn't want something didn't mean she'd accept it secondhand. Ridiculous.
She found Liam waiting for her in the living room. For some reason, she felt grateful he'd come with her.
"All settled? Let's go home."
Liam's deep voice somehow calmed the fire burning in Emma's chest. He didn't ask why Isabella had cut her wrist. He just said, "Let's go home."
"Yes. Let's go home."
Emma smiled, warmth creeping into her expression.
"Emma, you're leaving already?"
Noah's desperate voice came from behind. Emma's eyes hardened with impatience.
"Isabella is fine now. You need to handle your own problems. I'm just an outsider. It's not appropriate for me to stay."
She didn't turn around, her voice flat.
"But Emma, you know I've never seen you as an outsider."
"Noah, I think you've forgotten—Emma has her husband by her side."
Liam's cold voice cut through Noah's words. Though Noah burned with resentment, he feared Liam.
Damn it. If the man weren't Liam Williams, he would have taken Emma back by force.
Watching Liam wrap his arm around Emma's waist and lead her out of his home, Noah stood frozen in the living room. Minutes passed before he finally returned to Isabella's room.
"I've called the doctor. He'll be here soon. Don't do this again. It only makes me more disappointed in you."
Noah's words were merciless. His patience with Isabella had worn thin over the past few days.
When a man's heart turns cold toward a woman, even her sacrifice of life itself can't warm it again.
"Noah, don't be angry. I just couldn't think straight. And I truly don't want to see you suffer. But when I told my cousin to take you back, my heart ached so badly. It hurts so much. What should I do?"
Isabella covered her face and sobbed. Noah's resolve softened at the sight.
He moved to her bedside, pulled her into his arms, and patted her shoulder.
"Alright, I'm here now. Rest. I'll call your company and ask for some time off. You're in no condition to perform."
"Noah, I knew you'd take care of me."
Isabella's tearful voice muffled against her fingers.
Noah comforted her a while longer before leaving the room.
Since Liam had seen everything, there was no need to explain to the brokerage company. A simple call would suffice. He didn't know what they'd say.
Author's note: Sorry for the late update—I was writing in a dark room and forgot to post.
Also, there might be more changes coming. Next week or the week after, I'll update more frequently (waiting on the editor's schedule—it's out of my hands). But rest assured, more updates are coming.
Most importantly—the showdown between Emma and Liam is coming, you know!