Chapter 84

Chapter 84
"The Taste of Consequences”

The silence in the living room was heavier than the thick air outside. Emily sat stiff on the couch, her fingers trembling slightly as they curled into her palms. Her father's voice echoed in her head sharp, bitter, accusing. She’d never seen him so furious. Not even the day he caught her skipping school with her friends. This was different. This was betrayal to him, to his best friend, to the life he had carved out for her with such pride.

But what he didn’t understand what no one seemed to understand was that love didn’t care about the rules.

Jason had stood his ground, shielding her like he always did, but his voice lacked its usual steel. He was shaken too. Not from guilt, but from the fear of losing her.

"Do you realize what you’ve done to this family?" her father's voice had cracked, almost breaking. "To me?"

He hadn’t waited for an answer. The sound of the front door slamming behind him still rang in Emily’s ears like a punishment bell.

Now, she sat alone in Jason’s penthouse, the view of the glittering city behind her nothing more than a blur. Her eyes were fixed on her phone, on the string of unread messages from her mother. Most were confused. Some were frantic.

Jason came out of the bedroom moments later, his expression unreadable. He had changed into a simple grey shirt and jeans, but his posture was rigid.

"He’s not answering my calls," he said, referring to her father. "He blocked me."

Emily nodded numbly. "He blocked me too."

Jason let out a frustrated breath and sat beside her, his large hand resting between them but not reaching out to her. Not yet.

"This is all my fault," she whispered.

He turned sharply toward her. "Don’t say that. You’re not the only one who made a choice. I made mine too. I knew the risks."

"But you promised me everything would be okay," she said, her voice rising before cracking. "You said we’d make it work."

"And we will," he said with calm certainty, even though the storm in his eyes betrayed him. "But I never said it would be easy."

Emily’s lip trembled. She wiped it roughly. “I’ve never seen him like that. Ever. I thought he’d be angry but not devastated.”

Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Your father is a good man. Loyal. I was like a brother to him. Of course he feels betrayed.”

"Because you slept with his daughter," she muttered bitterly, unable to stop the guilt from burning through her.

He looked at her then, finally reaching for her hand. “I didn’t just sleep with you, Emily. I fell in love with you.”

Her breath hitched. She had told herself the same thing a thousand times but hearing him say it, especially now, cut through the ache like a balm.

But still, the weight of what they’d done lingered like smoke.

A long silence passed. Then Emily stood, pacing in front of the glass wall. Her bare feet made soft sounds against the cold marble.

"I don’t know what to do next," she admitted, hugging herself.

Jason stood and came behind her. "We face it. Together. Like we always have."

"And if my dad never forgives you?" she whispered.

"Then I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to him that what I feel for you is real. I won’t stop until he knows that I didn’t take advantage of you, that I didn’t plan this. That I love you completely."

His words wrapped around her like a lifeline, but still, she couldn’t help but doubt. "He’s not just your best friend. He was like a second father to you. This cuts deep."

Jason nodded, looking away briefly. "I know. And I’d never expect him to understand it right away. Maybe not even in a year. But Emily, I would rather lose everything than lose you."

She blinked hard, her throat tightening. He was serious. Dead serious. And that terrified her more than anything. Because if she truly let herself believe him, there’d be no turning back.

She turned and placed her hands on his chest. “I love you too. But we can't pretend everything will go back to normal. Our lives have changed.”

“I don’t want normal,” he said. “I just want you.”

Then he leaned down and kissed her, soft at first, then deeper, as if he were trying to speak through every touch. She responded with the same desperation, their bodies fitting together in a way that felt inevitable.

When they pulled apart, both breathless, Emily’s voice was steadier. “What happens now?”

Jason hesitated. “Now, we wait. Give your dad space. Let him breathe.”

"And your reputation?" she asked. "The world still thinks of you as his best friend, the respected businessman. If this goes public"

“Let them talk,” he said firmly. “I’ve faced worse. The only person I care about facing right now is you.”

There was a knock at the door.

Both of them froze.

Another knock. Firmer.

Jason exchanged a glance with Emily before walking toward the door. Emily’s heart raced in her chest. Her father?

But when Jason opened it, it wasn’t him.

It was Sarah, Emily’s cousin.

Her expression was unreadable. Her arms were folded, her eyes dark.

"Well, well," she said, stepping in. "I heard the rumors, but I didn’t think you’d actually have the nerve."

"Sarah, not now," Emily said sharply, feeling her stomach drop.

“Oh, no. Now, Emily,” Sarah snapped. “Because your dad just called my mom in tears. Do you know what that feels like? Hearing your uncle cry because his daughter’s screwing his best friend?”

"Watch your mouth," Jason growled.

Sarah scoffed. “Please. You think you’re some kind of hero? You’ve destroyed your friendship, and you’ve dragged Emily into a scandal she’ll never recover from.”

"Stop," Emily said, her voice shaking.

"No, you stop. You don’t get to hide in your lover’s apartment and act like you're the victim," Sarah spat. "You made this bed. Lie in it.”

Jason stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "You’ve said enough."

Sarah looked between them, disgusted. "You’re both pathetic."

Then she turned and stormed out.

The door slammed.

Emily exhaled shakily, tears brimming in her eyes. “She’s right.”

“She’s not,” Jason said. “She’s just scared. Like everyone else.”

Emily collapsed onto the couch. “How many more people are going to hate us?”

Jason knelt in front of her, lifting her chin. “As long as you don’t hate me, I can face the rest.”

Tears spilled freely now, but they weren’t from fear or shame, they were from love. From the overwhelming, terrifying, unstoppable love she felt for a man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

And yet… she had.

She cupped his face. “Then let’s stop hiding. Let them see us. Let the world come.”

Jason nodded slowly, a small smile ghosting his lips.

“Together,” he said.

“Together,” she whispered back.