Chapter 57

I slammed the bedroom door behind me and paced across the carpet unable to sit down and relax. Why are they back now? Why?

After burying my father, I sold myself to Dan and now they decide to show up? Why did these two women suddenly crawl back into my life like parasites smelling fresh blood?

My hands shook badly I pressed them against my forehead, unable to contain my anger and shame. How will I explain to Dan that I have no relations to these people?

I hated that they still had this effect on me.

I hated that part of me still reacted like the abandoned girl they’d left behind.

The shower in the bathroom shut off with a click, and a moment later the door opened. Dan walked out shirtless, towel around his waist, steam curling around him as if he’d stepped out of a dream. He froze when he saw me pacing.

“What happened?” he asked, grabbing the towel off his hair. “You look like you’re ready to burn the whole mansion down.”

“Maybe I am.” I let out a bitter laugh. “My stepmother and Alyssa are downstairs.”

Dan grimaced. “What? The woman who left with your father’s fortune?”

“Half of it,” I corrected sharply. “And Dad trusted them. Trusted them over me. I told him they were using him. He didn’t listen.”

Dan reached for a clean shirt, slipping it over his head effortlessly. His movements were calm and steady, as if he knew I needed the opposite to balance me.

I continued, words spilling because if I didn’t release them, they would choke me.

“They show up out of nowhere, pretending to apologize. They haven’t sent a text, a call, anything since they took the money and vanished. Now suddenly they’re knocking on my door? They didn't even attend my father’s funeral.”

Dan tucked in his shirt and grabbed a dark navy suit jacket from the chair. “Because you’re married to me.” He said it softly, not arrogantly, just a fact neither of us could ignore.

I stopped pacing and stood there facing him, he’s right. My stepmother and Alyssa knew exactly what they were doing.

“Oh, and they know I’m pregnant,” I added bitterly. “So that’s another reason for them to slither back.” Dan adjusted his collar in the mirror.

When he turned around, he looked every bit the man in control sharp, authoritative. But when he looked at me his expression softened, I probably looked concerned.

“You’re trembling.” He stepped closer. “Come here.”I let him pull me into his arms, even though anger still buzzed under my skin.

“You shouldn’t be dealing with this stress,” he murmured. “It’s not good for you or the baby.” He said brushing my baby bump.

“I don’t get to choose when they show up,” I muttered into his chest. He stroked my hair. “You do get to choose whether you let them stay.” That gave me pause.

But before I could respond, I noticed he was buttoning his jacket.

“Where are you going?” I asked, pulling back.

“To work.” I blinked confused. I didn't expect him to be getting back to work so early. “To work?”

“Yes.” He grabbed his watch from the nightstand. “I lost enough time. I need to catch up.” My mouth dropped open. “Dan, you literally got your memory back this morning. You were unconscious and recovering for days. You should be resting.” He gave me that frustratingly calm smile.

“I’m fine, I have companies to run. Bank accounts to check so I know no one is stealing from me.” I looked at him hurt that he is choosing to go to his office rather than spend his time with me. “Isn’t that what accountants are hired for?”

“Yes, I do but they also report to me. Who are they reporting to now that I am not around? I’m seriously fine stop worrying.”

“You’re not fine,” I snapped. “You’re pretending to be okay because you feel guilty for everything that happened.” I don’t even know what dumb shit I am spewing at this moment but I need him to change his mind and stay with me.

Dan fastened his watch. “Em, I’m capable of going to the office.”

“You haven’t recovered!”

“I have,” he insisted. “I feel normal.”

“Normal people don’t get kidnapped and lose their memory!” I hissed. He sighed and brushed a kiss against my cheek. “Baby, I promise I’m alright.”

Then he leaned down and kissed my belly.

Immediately, like a spark, our baby kicked.

We both froze and Dan looked at me with the same surprised look I had.

Dan’s face lit up with pure joy bright, so real it made my throat tighten. “There it is.” He pressed his palm gently against me. “You feel that? They’re strong.” I hope ‘they’re’ means the baby kicks not a set of twins.

I nodded, swallowing down the emotion rising inside me. “Yeah.”

For a moment, the world fell completely silent except for our breathing and the tiny miracle moving under my skin. Dan rested his forehead against my stomach, whispering something too soft for me to catch, like a private promise to the child he was only just remembering.

My bedroom door suddenly burst open without a knock. “Awwww, how cute.”

Alyssa. Standing in the doorway like she owned the house, a smug smile plastered across her face. “Emerald,” she said sweetly, “can I talk to you?” I stared at her, debating whether to use a gun or a brick to kill her.

She stared back, completely unbothered by the sharp anger radiating off both of us. Dan cleared his throat tightly, straightened his suit jacket, and walked past her with a clipped polite nod, because he was raised well, but cold enough to freeze blood.

When he was out of the door, I turned slowly to face the intruder in my doorway.

“Alyssa,” I said calmly, “You don’t walk into my bedroom without knocking.” She shrugged, stepping fully inside. “I figured it was fine since we’re family.”

“We are not family,” I corrected.

“Oh?” Her brows arched mockingly. “You don’t trust your husband around me?”

I laughed once, sharp as a blade. “No. I don’t trust you.” Her smile twitched.

“That’s unfair,” she said lightly. “I’m here to talk, to fix things—”

“You had months to fix things.” I folded my arms. “You chose theft. You chose running. And now you show up in my bedroom telling me what’s ‘cute’?”She rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Emerald, you’re overreacting.”

“I’m pregnant, exhausted, and dealing with the stress of my dead father who died as a poor man because of you. Trust me, I’m underreacting.” Her face paled a moment before she masked it with fake concern.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “You’re not here for me. You’re here because you think being connected to the Cross family benefits you again.” Alyssa didn’t deny it, she didn’t even try to say something. Instead, she offered a small, sugary smile.

“So… can we talk?”I stared at her for a long moment.

Then I said evenly:

“Please don’t try to fuck me up, I will never give you money and please have boundaries.” For the first time since she arrived, her smile faltered. I am done being the girl they could push around.