"Oh, is that so? By the way, didn't you just say you had something to tell me? Go ahead, I'm listening." Emma Johnson picked up the cup from the coffee table and took a delicate sip.
"I broke up with Isabella. I went to see her a few days ago, only to find out she pulled the same stunt with the newspapers..."
"That's between you and her. There's no need to tell me. I'm not interested." Emma said, studying Noah Taylor's face, which was now a canvas of tangled emotions she couldn't quite decipher.
He seemed like a completely different person now. His manner of speaking, his tone—everything was a far cry from the Noah Taylor she'd known seven years ago.
But then again, seven years was a long time. Who hadn't changed?
Emma let out a bitter laugh. What in this world stayed the same?
"I'm sorry, Emma. I just want you to know that for the past two years, I've never stopped thinking about you. Give me a chance to start over. I swear I'll love you, cherish you, and protect you just like I did seven years ago." Noah's face was the picture of sincerity and regret.
Start over?
If he'd said those words two years ago, Emma would have cried tears of joy and agreed without a second thought.
Back then, Noah Taylor was her entire world. She was so deeply in love, so consumed by the relationship, that she didn't care what anyone else thought. She was obedient, devoted, and utterly blind.
And what did she get in return?
Her fiancé, sleeping with her own cousin.
Now that the wounds had healed and she could finally face everything calmly, he shows up and asks for a fresh start?
No matter how naive or foolish Emma had once been, she would never agree to that.
Besides, she was married now. Talking about these things felt pointless and tedious.
Emma took a deep breath, looked Noah straight in the eyes, and said seriously, "I'm married, Noah. And frankly, I don't understand why you'd even think this was possible. Maybe I wasn't clear enough before, so let me say it again. There's no future for us. I don't have any feelings left for you. So let's just go our separate ways. Goodbye, Noah."
With that, she stood up to leave.
But before she could reach the door, Noah jumped up and blocked her path. "I know you still love me, Emma. Please, just give me one more chance. I was wrong. I'll change. I'll do anything you ask..."
He reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.
This time, he wasn't going to let her go so easily.
Besides, Emma looked absolutely stunning tonight. The sight of her stirred something deep inside Noah, something he could barely control.
He wanted to win her back. He wanted to reclaim the love he'd lost. No matter what it took, Noah was determined to have her by his side again.
The sudden embrace caught Emma completely off guard. What the hell was he doing?
She pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face. "Noah, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?"
"Hit me, yell at me, do whatever you want. As long as you forgive me, I'll do anything—even die for you..." Noah's voice was frantic, his words becoming jumbled and desperate.
Emma felt a chill run down her spine. She just wanted to get out of this place as fast as possible.
The moment her hand touched the door handle, Noah yanked her back. "Emma, I love you so much. You're always in my heart, don't you know that? Just give me a chance..."
He pressed himself against her, and Emma couldn't fight back. Before she knew it, he had pushed her down onto the sofa, his hands roughly pulling at her coat, exposing her pale, smooth shoulder.
At the Plaza Hotel, Room 913.
Liam Williams had planned to go straight home after work. But then he got a call from Ethan Davis, who said they hadn't seen each other in a while and invited him to the Plaza Hotel for dinner and a chat.
When Liam arrived, he found that Ethan had brought a woman with him.
She had an ordinary face, but her figure was stunning, and her voice was sultry. Clearly, she was Ethan's type.
Liam and Ethan had grown up together. Their families were both wealthy, both part of the old aristocracy.
They were closer than brothers.
In fact, when Emma called, the three of them had just finished dinner and were about to leave.
Who would have thought that less than a minute after she hung up, she'd say she was coming to bring Liam a coat?
Liam knew Emma's temper. He had no idea what she was up to this time.
After thinking it over, Liam decided it was a good opportunity to introduce his "wife" to Ethan. So he told Emma to come.
Almost half an hour passed, and there was still no sign of her. Liam frowned. Was she just messing with him?
They decided not to wait any longer and headed out, chatting and laughing. Ethan's sharp eyes caught sight of an Audi A8 parked not far away. "Liam, look—isn't that your car? The driver's still inside."
Liam followed Ethan's gaze. Sure enough, it was Matthew, the driver.
Confused, he walked over to the car and knocked on the window.
When Matthew saw Liam, he rolled down the window and nodded politely. "Sir, you're here?"
"What are you doing here so late?" Liam asked calmly.
"I brought the missus to see you. She said she wanted to bring you a coat. She's been inside for over twenty minutes now, sir. Didn't she find you?" Matthew looked puzzled.
What? Over twenty minutes?
But Liam hadn't seen Emma at all. Even if she was clumsy, she couldn't have spent that long looking for Room 913, could she?
Something was wrong.
Liam's heart sank. He couldn't help but think about the time Emma had been kidnapped.
He immediately strode back into the hotel. Ethan was still chatting with the girl at the entrance. Seeing Liam's tense expression, he asked, "What's wrong? I thought we were leaving?"