Chapter 388: Unexpected

Chapter 388: Unexpected

"James!"

Emily startled, forgetting all about Nico beside her, and rushed forward to check on him.

Just then, the car door was kicked open from inside, and a large hand shot out, grabbing Emily's wrist in a vise-like grip.

James stepped out of the car, his expression thunderous.

"Emily, I think you owe me an explanation."

"Explain what?"

Emily winced in pain, frowning as she tried to yank her wrist free. "Let go! You're hurting me!"

But James not only refused to release her—he tightened his grip even more.

His stormy gaze locked onto Emily as he ground out through clenched teeth, "Emily, you've got some nerve hanging up on me! Tell me—who the hell is this guy?"

"James, have you lost your mind? Would you even believe me if I said he's just a friend?"

Emily's own temper flared as she glared right back at him.

"No, I wouldn't!"

"Then why bother asking? You're hurting me—let go!"

Emily stomped her foot in frustration, half-tempted to drive her high heel straight into his ankle.

James seemed to anticipate this. He shifted tactics, wrapping one arm tightly around her waist while his other hand caught her slender ankle mid-strike, effectively imprisoning her against him so she couldn't move at all.

Nico, who'd been watching from the sidelines this whole time, finally darkened like a storm cloud. His eyes fixed murderously on the large hand wrapped around Emily's waist as he barked, "Get your hands off Emily!"

"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do with my wife?"

James narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"You—"

Nico found himself momentarily speechless. He could only watch helplessly as James gripped Emily's chin, forced her head around, and kissed her hard right in front of him.

Rage churned in Nico's chest. His fists clenched at his sides, his cold gaze radiating killing intent as it bore into James.

Oh no.

Emily knew that look all too well. Nico had genuinely decided James needed to die.

She instinctively pushed against James's chest—to no avail. Her momentary distraction left her defenses down, and James swept through like a conquering army, leaving her cheeks flushed and eyes brimming with tears.

Meanwhile, behind a large tree not far from the gates of Elysian Residences, several small heads peeked out.

"Do you think Daddy knows we're all here?"

Chase asked curiously.

"Probably not. Daddy's completely focused on Mommy right now. And Nico—doesn't it look like Nico wants to kill Daddy?"

Jasper said worriedly.

"This is all because you used to be so close to Nico. Part of the reason Nico suddenly showed up in Emerald City looking for Mommy is your fault."

Chase shot Jasper an irritated look.

"How was I supposed to know Daddy would turn out to be..."

Jasper mumbled under his breath. "I used to think Daddy was really bad, so I figured having Nico as our dad wouldn't be so terrible. I didn't know Daddy wasn't actually that bad..."

And he even saved me.

That was exactly what had Jasper so conflicted.

Before James saved him, he'd really disliked the man. He'd always felt it was James's fault that Emily had suffered so much alone abroad.

Nico was so good to Emily and loved her more than James did—so wouldn't it be better to have Nico as their father?

Long ago, Jasper had genuinely thought this way.

But after returning to Emerald City and switching identities with Mason, actually spending time with James had changed his perspective. James wasn't so bad after all—his cooking was great, he'd rescued Jasper from that awful Indigo woman, and he protected Emily.

As Jasper's opinion of James improved, he'd gradually stopped wanting to swap fathers and had reduced his contact with Nico significantly.

Who could have predicted Nico would chase Emily all the way to Emerald City?

Watching the three adults ahead, the children shook their heads and sighed like little grown-ups.

"What do we do now? It looks like Nico's about to fight Daddy!"

Briar said with tears in her eyes.

Mason didn't speak, but his face showed equal concern.

Jasper thought for a moment, then patted Briar's shoulder reassuringly. "Briar, you and Mason go out there. Go back to the Thomas family with Daddy and Mommy to visit Great-grandma. Chase and I can't show ourselves, so we'll stay at Elysian Residences."

"But I want to see Great-grandma too. She probably prepared lots of yummy food."

Chase blinked hopefully at Mason. "Mason, how about we swap identities? Please?"

"All you think about is food!"

Jasper tapped Chase's head without sympathy, lowering his voice. "Mason's been separated from Mommy for so long—he definitely wants to spend more time with her. Can't you let him have this?"

But I want to spend more time with Mommy too.

Chase covered his tapped head, mumbling quietly.

Briar couldn't help but laugh at this.

"Chase, Jasper, don't worry. If Great-grandma gives us lots of treats and toys, I'll definitely bring plenty back for you two."

Briar smiled sweetly, trying to comfort them.

"Briar's the best."

Chase hugged Briar gratefully, then whispered instructions: "Briar, you and Mason watch for the right moment and go out together. You can each grab onto Daddy's and Mommy's legs to separate them—just don't let them fight."

"Don't worry, Mason and I know what to do."

Briar smiled sweetly.

Mason nodded solemnly.

At that moment, James finally released Emily.

Emily roughly wiped her swollen, glistening lips with the back of her hand, her bright eyes glaring daggers at James.

It wasn't that she disliked James's kisses—but could this man please consider the setting?

Where were they? Right at the entrance to Elysian Residences, in front of Nico!

Being kissed in front of Nico was bad enough, but knowing her children were probably hiding somewhere watching made Emily want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

At this thought, Emily's glare intensified.

"I'll deal with you later!"

Emily lowered her voice, shooting James a fierce look.

James raised an eyebrow and possessively squeezed her soft, sensitive waist.

He did that on purpose!

Emily's body was already sensitive—James's squeeze nearly made her knees buckle. She would have collapsed if not for his arm still wrapped around her waist, saving her from complete humiliation.

"Sorry, Nico."

Emily forced herself to ignore the awkward moment, plastering on a perfect smile instead. "I have some things to take care of right now, so I won't be able to drive you back to your hotel. Let's get together another time."