Chapter 51 051
EMILY
“What the hell are you doing here, Mr. Lang?”
The words slipped out the second I turned around and saw him standing behind me. I had not even heard him approach, which somehow made it worse.
Frederick Lang stood there like he owned the space, tailored suit immaculate, posture relaxed, eyes sharp with that familiar confidence that used to make my stomach twist in ways I had mistaken for excitement.
He gave a small smile. The same one. The one he always used when he believed charm could carry him through anything.
“How have you been, Emily?”
I stared at him for half a second too long, then shrugged and deliberately looked past him, scanning the café like he was nothing more than a misplaced chair. “I’ve been good,” I said flatly. “But I believe that is none of your concern now.”
He laughed. Low. Amused. Like I had made a joke instead of set a boundary. “The irony, huh,” he said easily. “I was once all you could think about. Same with me. You were once all I could think about. Now your welfare is none of my concern?”
I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. My patience was already worn thin from the day, from Cecilia, from the ache still sitting heavy in my chest. I did not have the energy for this. “I believe you have other things to do, sir.”
I pushed my chair back and stood, slinging my bag over my shoulder. I did not even bother to look at him as I moved to step around him.
He shifted sideways, blocking my path with deliberate ease.
“Your bakery is failing.”
I stopped.
Slowly, I turned back to face him. My heart thudded once, hard, but my face stayed calm. I let a smirk curve my lips, practiced and sharp. “I’ve gotten an investor,” I said smoothly. “If that’s what you were going to propose, sir.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly, impressed or irritated or both. He nodded once, the smile never leaving his face. “Take care.”
I did not reply.
I walked away from him faster than necessary, my shoes clicking against the floor as my heart began to hammer violently against my ribs. My cheeks burned, anger mixing with something dangerously close to shame. I hated that he still had the power to make me feel like that. I hated that seeing him dredged up memories I had buried deep on purpose.
At the counter, I cleared my bill, hands shaking as I signed the receipt. I barely remembered walking out. Barely remembered getting into my car.
Today did not go as planned at all.
It went from a seventy to a zero real fast.
And meeting Frederick was just the final punch I did not need.
I drove down to my apartment on autopilot, the city blurring past my windows. My head ached. My chest felt tight. I just wanted quiet. I just wanted to breathe without feeling like someone was constantly pressing on my lungs.
When I pulled into my street, I slowed without really knowing why.
Then I saw them.
Ryan sat on the little staircase in front of my building, Zara perched comfortably on his lap. Her head rested against his chest, her small hands moving animatedly as she talked about something that clearly mattered a lot to her. He listened with that gentle smile he saved only for her, nodding along like every word she said was important.
The sight hit me like a punch.
My family.
Sitting together.
Waiting for me.
My throat tightened instantly. I parked the car and stepped out, my legs moving before my mind could catch up.
The moment Zara spotted me, her entire face lit up like the world had just snapped back into place.
“Mummy!”
She scrambled off Ryan’s lap and rushed down the steps, arms stretched wide, legs moving too fast for her little body. I barely had time to react. I dropped to my knees just in time to catch her, the impact knocking the breath out of me as she crashed into my chest. I lifted her high without thinking, holding her tight, breathing her in like I needed to reassure myself she was really here.
My hands moved on instinct. Over her back. Her arms. Her sides. Gentle but urgent. Checking her the way only a mother does, like touch alone could tell me if she was still okay.
“Are you fine?” I asked, my voice thick and uneven.
Her face crumpled instantly. Her chin wobbled. Then the tears came. Soft, hiccuping sobs that broke my heart clean in half. “You left me, Mummy.”
The guilt hit me so hard it felt physical, like someone had punched me straight in the chest. I almost gasped. I pulled her closer, rocking her gently as if that alone could erase the hurt. “I’m sorry, baby,” I murmured into her hair, my voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”
Behind her, Ryan stood up slowly. His hands slid into his pockets, his posture careful, restrained. He watched us with an expression I could not fully read. There was concern there. Caution too. And something deeper simmering just beneath the surface.
“I’ll take my leave now,” he said quietly, the words sounding bitter. “She just wanted me to bring her to you.”
The words landed softly, but they filled my chest with something warm and fragile. For a brief moment, I felt lighter. Like maybe today had not completely destroyed me.
“Oh,” I said, forcing a small smile. “Thanks.”
He nodded once and turned toward his car.
Zara stiffened in my arms.
Then she screamed.
“No, Daddy, wait!”
Ryan stopped immediately and turned back.
She wriggled against me, her small hands clutching at my shirt like I was the only thing anchoring her. “Daddy, stay.”
He shook his head gently, pain flashing across his face. “Princess…”
Her lip trembled. Then she lost it.
A full tantrum. Her body went rigid, tears streaming freely now, her voice climbing into that sharp, heartbreaking pitch only toddlers can reach. It sliced straight through me. I glared at Ryan, frustration spilling over before I could stop it.
“Just say you’ll stay, dammit.”
He looked at me. Really looked at me. Long and searching. Then he looked down at Zara’s tear-streaked face.
After a moment, he nodded slowly. “I’ll stay.”
Relief washed through me so fast my knees nearly gave out. I exhaled shakily. “Thank you,” I said softly. “Come in.”