Chapter 118 Stopping in Time
Alex ignored her and dragged her roughly to the underground parking lot.
Emily stumbled a few steps. "Alex, let go!"
Matthew, behind them, tried to catch up, but bodyguards rushed out from both sides and held ."Mr. Moore, be smart. If you want to protect the Moore family company, stay back!"
Matthew's face darkened instantly, his fists clenched tight at his sides.
On the other side,
Emily was almost tired of yelling, "This is a public area, cameras everywhere. Aren't you scared I'll call the cops and say you're holding me against my will!"
Then, the elevator door dingedopen. Alex dragged her straight into the car: "Holding you against your will?"
He let out a low chuckle, laced with sour bitterness and obsession. "Emily, three years ago when you stood in front of me with the divorce papers, why didn't you think I'd do this?"
"Uh!"
Emily got pressed flat onto the leather seat.
The man leaned over her, arms braced on both sides, his rough voice like sandpaper."Matthew's girlfriend? Two years in Paris? You had it real good. Half a year after divorce, you lined up a new guy. Even said the kid came from a sperm bank. Did our three years of marriage mean nothing to you!"
Emily turned her head away to dodge his touch: "Mr. Baker, we're divorced. My life and kid have nothing to do with you."
"Zero?" Alex suddenly pinched her chin. "I've worn that wedding ring for three years. You blind?"
Emily froze for a second, then shot back without thinking: "Why should I care? Do what you want. It's got nothing to do with me."
Alex narrowed his eyes. Staring at that pretty, pale face, feeling the soft skin under his palm, made his possessiveness explode."Like guys like Matthew, huh?"
"Has he slept with you? Talk." His fingers tightened on her chin, while his other hand slid under her skirt.
But the second he touched her warm skin, Emily grabbed it. Her neat nails almost dug into his arm.
"Alex, you dare!" Emily's voice mixed shame, anger, and a hint of panic.
She thought she'd moved on, but facing his out-of-control side now... she wasn't there yet.
Alex's eyes darkened more, reason eaten by possessiveness."What, don't want me? How about here?"
"Remember how sensitive you were here before?" He kept going deeper, his breath closing in...
Emily felt burning hot all over: "Mm... Alex, don't..."
Bzzz!
Right as their breaths were about to mix, Emily's phone buzzed in her bag.
The ringtone shattered the mood and stopped Alex cold.
Emily shoved him off with all her strength, pulled back, and snatched her bag.
The name on the screen was crystal clear.
"Baby?" The man's voice came out through gritted teeth.
Next second, Emily's lips stung!
She froze on instinct, then kicked his leg hard: "What the hell's wrong with you? That's..."
Click!
Alex's eyes narrowed, and he answered it for her.
The second it connected, he leaned over again: "Let him hear it, okay?"
Those deep, drunk-with-desire eyes held an emotion Emily had never seen.
Gotta admit, Alex had killer looks.
Any other time, she'd probably cave.
But not now!
"Get off!"
"Not moving. Answer your call."
The guy's shameless act left Emily with no moves.
A soft, milky kid's voice came from the phone: "Mommy~ when you picking me up? Teacher's about to clock out!"
It was Eleanor!
That cute "Mommy" hit like thunder, snapping Alex back to reality.
He froze and looked at Emily: "Eleanor?"
Emily lost it, shoved him off, and soothed her daughter gently, ignoring everything else: "Sweetie Eleanor, don't worry. Mommy's coming right now. Wait in the rest area by the kindergarten gate. No running off, okay?"
"Okay~ Mommy hurry~" Eleanor's side had other kids talking too.
Emily hung up, let out a breath, and met Alex's super complicated stare.
No more anger or obsession in those eyes.
"She's that little and knows phones?"
Emily grabbed her bag and fixed her clothes, rolling her eyes: "Never seen a kids' phone watch? Mr. Baker really lives in his own bubble. No clue how you and Miss Miller raised your kid."
Alex frowned hard: "What does her kid have to do with me?"
Emily didn't want to argue. She pushed the car door to leave.
"Emily." Alex spoke up suddenly, voice super hoarse but dead serious.
Emily stopped but didn't turn.
"That kid..." Alex's throat bobbed, words forced out through clenched teeth. "Does she need a dad?"
"What?!" Emily went stiff. The air froze solid, like even the underground hall's breeze stopped.
"What'd you say?" Emily turned, tone full of total disbelief and absurdity. "Need a dad? You drunk or lost it?"
Alex pressed his lips, regret flashing in his eyes, but no take-backs: "Matthew can be her dad. Why not me?"
He'd clearly overheard them earlier.
Emily almost burst out laughing.
Biggest joke ever!
She gave him a sarcatic smirk . "Mr. Baker, I said it clear in the banquet hall. Eleanor’s my kid from a sperm bank, on my own. She doesn't need a dad. Never has."
She stressed each word: "And I'm wondering, Mr. Baker so eager to play stepdad? If memory serves, you hated kids before. Said they were noisy pains. What, changed your tune?"
Her words stabbed Alex like needles.
His face went dark, jaw locked tight. He gritted out: "Didn't like 'em before. Like 'em now!"
Especially... kids like hers.
Emily had no patience for this pointless crap.
She checked the time: "No time for your nonsense. Eleanor's waiting at kindergarten. Too late if I don't go."
She went to leave, but he grabbed her wrist first and yanked her back—quick, smooth, too fast to dodge.
Emily frowned: "What do you want? I got no time for your games!"
"I'm going too." Alex buckled her seatbelt, tone bossy and no arguments.
Huh?!
He... what did he say?