"Breaking news: The largest hotel in Portland has been completely destroyed by a mudslide. Rescue teams have recovered three bodies so far, with their identities still pending confirmation. In addition to the two confirmed missing persons, other victims trapped under the rubble are being rescued with the help of emergency crews and local volunteers."
"Emma, your friend... she couldn't have been caught in this, right?"
Emilia Clark watched Emma Johnson's face drain of color, her own worry growing.
Emma's composure was crumbling. She frantically dialed Mia's number, but only heard the cold tone of a powered-off phone. Of course—if Mia's phone had been reachable, Olivia would never have called her in the first place.
"Emma, don't panic. It might not be that bad," Emilia said, trying to soothe her.
But how could Emma not worry? Just then, her phone buzzed again. It was Elijah Clark.
"Emma, it's me. Have you heard what happened in Portland?"
"Olivia just called and told me. I'm terrified for Mia. What am I supposed to do?" Emma's voice quivered, betraying her fear.
"Listen, don't panic. I'm heading to Portland with a team of doctors from the hospital. I'll find out about Mia and update you as soon as I get there."
That was why Elijah had called. Portland had suffered a catastrophic mudslide, and medical teams from hospitals nationwide were organizing rescue missions, rushing to the scene.
Emma felt a sliver of relief hearing his words. But even if Elijah was going, Mia's phone was still unreachable. Her greatest fear was that Mia's name would appear on the missing list. If that happened, the chances of finding her alive were almost nonexistent.
When Liam Williams returned to the office, he found Emma sitting there, her face pale.
"What's wrong? What happened?" Liam walked over to her, concern in his voice.
"I just saw the news. There was a mudslide in Portland, where Mia is. I'm so scared something's happened to her." Emma grabbed Liam's hand, her fingers trembling.
"She went to Portland?"
Emma nodded heavily.
"Yes. She said she was going to find a famous chef to work at The Waterfront. But before she could even hire anyone, this disaster struck."
"It's okay. I'll send someone to Portland to look for her. Don't worry. She'll be fine."
Liam's voice was steady, a strange comfort that calmed Emma's racing heart. Maybe it was the immense trust she had in him, the feeling that as long as this man was by her side, everything could be solved.
After calming Emma down, Liam called a contact he knew in the military stationed in Portland, asking him to keep an eye out for any news about Mia. All Emma could do now was wait for word that Mia was safe.
The entire afternoon, Emma couldn't focus on work. Liam understood her worry for her friend. But when they got home that evening, Liam's friend called back. He had found Mia. Her leg was injured, and she was being treated at a hospital.
His friend was at Mia's bedside. Emma immediately called Mia and heard her voice. Only then did she finally breathe.
"Emma, I'm fine. Just a leg injury. I need to take it easy for a while. Don't worry," Mia said over the phone, trying to reassure her.
"I'm so relieved you're okay. By the way, Elijah went to Portland this afternoon. He'll probably start looking for you there. Make sure to call him and let him know you're safe," Emma said.
"Elijah's coming? That's great," Mia said, her voice brightening. Emma felt a wave of relief. With Elijah there, she could rest a little easier.
"Now you can relax," Liam said, looking at Emma with a gentle smile.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found out about Mia so quickly. Thank you, Liam. I don't know how to repay you." Emma looked at him seriously.
Liam reached out and ruffled her hair, his smile charming. "How about you repay me with your body?"
Emma's eyes widened at his words. She had been trying to have a serious conversation, but this man's mind was always somewhere else.
Before she could think further, Liam leaned down and kissed her, inviting her to dance with him.
Later that night, Emma slipped out of bed. She looked at Liam's sleeping face, convinced he was fast asleep. She thought it was better to take the contraceptive pill in advance. She always took it the next morning, but she worried it wouldn't work fast enough. So she quietly crept out of bed, barefoot, and went to the living room. She found a bottle of pills hidden in her bag, took out two, and swallowed them. Only then did she feel at ease.
As she drank water, she didn't notice the crack in the bedroom door. Liam was watching her take the pills. No wonder he had wondered why, after two months of intimacy, he hadn't heard any news of a pregnancy from Emma.
His face hardened, his eyes turning cold and deep as he watched her relaxed expression after taking the medicine. No matter what he did, she never truly saw herself as his wife. She never thought about having his child, did she?
When Emma returned to the bedroom, Liam was already lying quietly in bed, not letting her suspect a thing.
At breakfast the next morning, Liam showed no sign of anything unusual. It was as if he had seen nothing, known nothing the night before.
At work, Emma talked to Mia on the phone again. Mia told her that Elijah had found her and was now helping the doctors in Portland rescue the citizens affected by the mudslide. Emma finally let go, a heavy weight lifted from her heart.
After hanging up, she remembered the thirty million dollars she owed Liam. It had become the top priority in her mind. She secretly glanced at him, reviewing company documents, and sighed deeply.
While heading to the break room, Emma pulled out her phone and started buying lottery tickets.