Chapter 40 where Emmanuella Headed9 Family Meeting
Emmanuella’s POV
I walked down the stairs, my smirk wide and my laughter echoing through the empty hall. That useless woman Gabriel called his "aunt" had finally left.
Did he really think I’d fall for that? Gabriel was lying. I’d seen this game before in my previous marriage, and I wasn’t about to play the fool again. I knew how to handle deceitful men and their "secret visitors."
Now, with a second-chance husband, was history going to repeat itself? Over my dead body.
I collapsed onto the couch, flipping on the TV. The news wasn’t showing—just some wildlife documentary about predators hunting their prey. How fitting. I couldn’t help but let my mind drift to Roy.
Earlier today, while I was at his place, he had gotten bolder with me. The food I’d brought? He barely glanced at it.
“I want to eat you first,” he’d said, his voice low and full of promise, before sweeping me off my knees and carrying me to his bedroom.
I smiled to myself, my fingers absentmindedly brushing my lips as I remembered the heat of his touch. The way he peeled off his pants and undressed me like I was a gift he couldn’t wait to open. He had me in ways that made me forget who I was—what I was supposed to be.
My phone buzzed, snapping me out of the memory. I unlocked it and sent him a quick text.
“Hey, Roy.”
“Hey, Emma. You still coming tonight?” He replied almost instantly. We’d already planned for me to spend the night.
“Of course. See you soon,” I typed back with a grin.
The moment the message was sent, I stood, brushing imaginary dust off my dress, and headed upstairs to my room.
When I entered, Gabriel was sitting at the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, staring at the floor. He looked like a man haunted by his demons, frustration etched into every line of his face.
“Hmm,” I hummed softly, my smirk returning.
Still, I said nothing. And neither did he.
I walked past him, unzipping my dress and letting it pool at my feet. I wrapped a towel around my body and disappeared into the bathroom.
The hot water washed over me, but it didn’t drown my irritation. Gabriel’s silence was pathetic. He knew he’d been caught, yet he sat there sulking like a scolded child.
Ten minutes later, I emerged, wrapped in a fresh gown that clung to my curves like a second skin. Gabriel hadn’t moved.
“Good for you,” I muttered under my breath as I grabbed my bag. A man who could cheat on his wife to be with me could easily cheat on me with someone else.
And I wasn’t about to let that happen.
At Roy’s Place
The air was different the moment I stepped inside—lighter, sweeter, freer.
“You didn’t have to bring me food again,” Roy said as he stirred something on the stove. The smell of fried chicken and spices filled the air. “I thought tonight I’d cook for us instead.”
I leaned against the counter, watching him with a warm smile. “That’s so sweet of you,” I said. He turned, his arms pulling me close as his lips claimed mine.
It felt right. Here, in his arms, everything felt simple.
We cooked together, laughter filling the kitchen as we stumbled over each other. By the time the table was set, it looked like we were hosting a feast—though it was just the two of us.
A knock at the door broke the moment.
“Are you expecting someone?” I asked, my smile faltering.
Roy’s brows furrowed. “No.”
He wiped his hands on a towel and walked to the door. He opened it just a crack, standing in a way that blocked my view.
“What are you doing here?” he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.
I froze, my instincts flaring.
“I told you I’d call. Why are you here now?” He whispered harshly.
“You can’t come in. Go away.”
The tension in his voice pulled me to my feet. I stepped closer, catching the edge of his words.
“Who is it?” I asked, peering around him.
The woman standing at the door was dressed in a tiny dress that left very little to the imagination. Her bright red lips curled into a smirk when she saw me.
“And who are you?” I asked, my voice sharp.
She tilted her head mockingly. “I’m his girlfriend. And you?”
I blinked, the words hitting me like a slap. “Excuse me?”
“I said,” she repeated, her tone venomous, “I’m his girlfriend, bitch. Who the hell are you?”
My chest tightened. My gaze snapped to Roy, who stood frozen, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
“Roy?” My voice was cold, demanding an explanation.
“I... I didn’t mean...” he stammered, backing up slightly. “I didn’t mean to lie. I just… you’re married, and I can’t be with—”
“You’re pathetic,” I snapped, cutting him off.
The woman scoffed, her arms crossing. “You two deserve each other. Trash attracts trash.”
I felt the blood rushing to my ears. My hand twitched, itching to slap the smug expression off her face, but I held back.
Instead, I stormed past them both, my head held high.
“Men are cheats,” I muttered, grabbing my bag. “Fucking liars. Never trust them.”
The woman’s mocking laughter followed me as I walked out the door, but I didn’t look back.