Think fast

Emily's POV

I stumbled up the porch steps, exhausted from the night's events. The door to my house loomed in front of me, but instead of going inside, I dropped onto the steps, my back resting against the wooden railing. The cool evening air felt heavy, weighing me down as I tried to collect my thoughts.

The Frost family dinner had been... intense, as always. Between Lila's infectious energy, the endless banter, and Ethan's constant presence, I was emotionally spent. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I hesitated before fishing it out, bracing myself for another work email or Mera's antics. But it wasn't either of those.

It was a message from Reuben.

My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't spoken to him in weeks-not since I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him. What could he possibly want now?

Curiosity and unease battled within me as I opened the message. The screen lit up with a video.

The Frost Mansion's familiar hallway filled the screen, dimly lit but unmistakable. The camera shifted, and my stomach churned as it focused on a bedroom. Lila's kids were there, asleep in their beds, their small chests rising and falling peacefully.

"What the-" My voice came out in a shaky whisper. My hands trembled as I stared at the screen. My mind raced with questions. How did Reuben get this footage? What was he trying to pull?

My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before I hit the call button. The line rang twice before he picked up.

"Reuben," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. "What the hell are you doing? How did you get this video?"

His laugh came through the phone, low and unsettling. "Ah, Emily. I was wondering when you'd call."

"Cut the crap," I snapped, my fear simmering into anger. "What are you trying to prove? How did you get into the Frost Mansion?"

"Let's just say," he drawled, "you're not the only one who can slip in and out of that place without anyone noticing."

My blood ran cold. His tone was too casual, too smug. He was toying with me, and I hated that he had the upper hand.

"What do you want, Reuben?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You," he said simply, his voice dropping into something darker, more possessive. "I've always wanted you, Emily. And now, you're going to come to me."

I blinked, my mind racing. "You're delusional. You think some creepy video and veiled threats will make me come running? You've lost it."

"Have I?" he replied, his tone mocking. "I'm not asking, Emily. I'm telling you. If you don't come, there will be... consequences."

"Don't play games with me," I snapped. "What consequences? You think you can scare me into submission?"

"Oh, I don't think, Emily. I know. Did you watch the whole video?"

My stomach turned. "What are you talking about?"

"Go on," he coaxed, his voice sickeningly smooth. "Look closely. Notice anything strange?"

I pulled the phone away and reluctantly replayed the video. At first, everything seemed normal-the kids, peaceful and unaware. But then, in the corner of the frame, I noticed something I hadn't before. A shadow moved across the wall, too large and deliberate to be brushed off.

"You were there," I whispered, dread pooling in my stomach.

"Very observant," he said, his voice smug. "And if I could get that close without anyone noticing, imagine what else I could do."

My hands trembled, and I gripped the phone tighter. "You're sick. If you even think about hurting them-"

"I won't," he interrupted, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Not unless you force my hand."

I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. "What do you want, Reuben? Spit it out."

"It's simple," he said. "Come to me. Alone. Let's talk, face to face. Do that, and I'll leave them alone."

I scoffed, though my voice wavered. "You think I'm stupid enough to walk into whatever trap you've set? You must really be desperate."

"Desperate?" he repeated, a sharp edge to his voice. "No, Emily. I'm just done waiting. I've been patient, haven't I? Gave you space, let you live your little fantasy life with your perfect family. But you belong with me. You always have."

"This is how you show it?" I shot back. "By threatening innocent kids? You're a coward, Reuben. You think this makes you powerful, but it just proves how pathetic you are."

There was a long pause, and for a moment, I thought I'd gotten through to him. But then he spoke, his voice colder than ever.

"You always did know how to push my buttons," he said quietly. "But this isn't about power, Emily. It's about us. And if I have to remind you of that, so be it."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him see how shaken I was. "You're not going to win, Reuben. I'm not coming, and you're going to leave those kids alone."

He laughed, the sound grating in my ears. "Bold words. But let's see how bold you are when you realize I'm not bluffing. You have one hour, Emily. After that, I make the next move. And trust me, you won't like it."

"Reuben, listen to me-"

But the line went dead.

I sat there, staring at the phone, my heart pounding in my chest. Every instinct screamed at me to do something, to call Lila, to alert the authorities. But I knew Reuben. He thrived on chaos, and any sudden move could push him over the edge.

I needed to think. Fast.