Chapter 395: The Root of Fear

Chapter 395: The Root of Fear

Emerald City, a luxury hotel suite.

Nico had just finished his shower. Wrapped in a bathrobe, he stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of red wine in hand. His brooding blue eyes gazed down at the bustling traffic and crowds below.

A rhythmic knock broke the silence.

"Come in."

The door opened, and a bodyguard dressed in black entered.

"Boss, here's the file you requested."

The bodyguard placed a thick dossier on the table, then stood respectfully to the side, awaiting instructions.

Nico turned, his intense gaze sweeping over the stack of documents.

He wanted to see for himself—just who was this James, and what exactly was his relationship with Emily?

Nico picked up the file and began reading carefully. The further he read, the darker his expression became.

James was Emily's husband. The biological father of her four children.

At first, Nico had assumed James was just another pursuer like himself—competing on equal footing.

But no. James had gotten there first, five years ago. He'd won Emily's heart and body, convinced her to bear his children willingly.

Was he already defeated simply for meeting Emily later than the other man?

Wait. He hadn't lost yet.

When Nico flipped to the last page and saw they were currently divorced, a cold smile crept across his handsome face.

Divorced? Now that gave him an opening.

He wasn't the type to sit around waiting for defeat. He'd come to Emerald City determined to take Emily and her children back to Zephyria.

Even if Emily ultimately chose James, he had ways to take her.

After all, seizing what he wanted by force was his specialty—just like he'd used every means necessary to claim his family's fortune.

His Emily could only belong to him.

A cold gleam flashed through Nico's eyes. He beckoned the waiting bodyguard forward.

"Come here. I have a job for you."

He leaned in and whispered instructions into the bodyguard's ear.

"Boss, don't worry. We'll handle this for you."

"Good."

...

Meanwhile, at the Thomas Villa.

Emily stayed with Mason in his room. After he'd calmed down somewhat, she carefully chose her words before asking gently, "Mason, can I ask you something?"

Mason blinked, looking at her with confusion.

Seeing his pure, clear eyes, Emily felt her resolve waver. She almost wanted to give up.

It didn't matter if her son never spoke again. She didn't mind. She could keep Mason sheltered under her wing forever, protected from harm.

But was that really what was best for him?

Thora's words echoed in her mind. Emily took a deep breath and softened her voice even more, as if afraid of startling him.

"Mason, can you tell Mommy what you saw before you fainted? Why did you—"

She stopped mid-sentence. Mason's face had gone pale, his small body trembling, his eyes wide with terror.

"Mason!"

Emily pulled him into her arms, her heart aching. She patted his back soothingly. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. And not just me—your daddy's here too. We'll protect you. We won't let anyone hurt you again."

"If you don't want to say anything, you don't have to. I won't force you."

Mason nestled quietly in Emily's embrace. His mother's warmth drove away the unease and shadows in his heart.

After a long silence, Mason pulled out his phone, opened his notes app, and slowly typed a message with his small fingers.

[Mommy, I saw Grandma. She was looking at Briar with this really scary expression. I suddenly felt like I remembered something, then my head hurt really bad and I passed out.]

Reading Mason's message, Emily's heart clenched with anxiety.

Xanthe had seen Briar?

She'd been careless. Finding her long-lost daughter Briar had made her so happy lately that she'd overlooked potential dangers.

Like Xanthe.

Before today, aside from Mason, Xanthe shouldn't have known James had other children.

But now she'd seen Briar. Given Xanthe's level of instability, would she do something to Briar?

The more Emily thought about it, the more panicked she became. Her arms tightened unconsciously around Mason.

Mason patted her arm reassuringly.

Emily loosened her grip slightly. She forced herself not to dwell on things that hadn't happened yet. Managing a smile, she asked softly, "Mason, what did you remember at that moment?"

Mason shook his head and typed on his phone.

[My head hurt so bad I passed out. I can't remember.]

So this was the root of Mason's inability to speak.

Did it involve Xanthe?

What exactly had Mason witnessed three years ago?

Emily lowered her eyes and gently ruffled Mason's hair, her heart aching.

"Mason, you did so well. For now, don't think about anything. Just rest, okay? Leave everything else to me."

Mason gazed at Emily with his bright eyes, then nodded obediently.

Afterward, Emily stayed with Mason until he fell asleep. Only then did she rise and leave the room, heading upstairs to James's bedroom.

James sat by the window reading. Scattered sunlight fell across his chiseled profile, making him look as sacred and untouchable as a deity.

Emily stared at that perfect profile illuminated by sunlight, momentarily transfixed.

She'd always known James was attractive. Though she'd grown accustomed to it by now, she still found herself stunned at unexpected moments.

Perhaps sensing the intensity of her gaze, James lowered his book and looked up with cool eyes. His thin lips curved into a faint, indifferent smile.

"Staring?"

"In your dreams."

Emily pulled at the corner of her mouth, unable to stop herself from retorting.

James didn't get angry. He set down his book and regarded Emily with an almost-smile, a trace of amusement sliding through his cool eyes—as if he'd seen right through her distraction.

Emily coughed awkwardly, then walked over and sat on the sofa across from James.

"Where's Briar?"

"With Grandma."

"Good."

Emily hesitated, then told James what she'd learned from Mason.

"James, I'm worried. What if Xanthe tries to do something to Briar?"