Chapter 2 - The First Lie
Vincent returned from New York the following afternoon.
Emma waited for him in the penthouse wearing the blue sweater he loved. The wooden box rested on the table beside two glasses of sparkling water.
But Vincent did not arrive alone.
Brooke entered behind him, speaking rapidly about a reporter who intended to publish damaging accusations against Hale Development.
The company had recently purchased land for a major housing project. According to Brooke, a former contractor was claiming Vincent had ignored safety concerns.
For the next three hours, the penthouse became an emergency meeting room.
Emma waited quietly, telling herself there would be time later.
Near midnight, Vincent received another call and left for the office.
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “Tomorrow night. Just us.”
Emma nodded and kissed him goodbye.
Brooke remained behind for several minutes, gathering documents.
“You should be careful,” she said casually.
Emma looked at her. “About what?”
“Vincent has been under enormous pressure. He doesn’t react well when his personal life becomes complicated.”
Emma understood the hidden meaning.
“You opened the box.”
Brooke did not deny it.
“I was looking for a contract.”
“It was closed and sitting on my dining table.”
Brooke’s expression softened into false concern.
“Have you considered whether this is the right time? Vincent’s company is in danger. A baby might feel like another problem he has to solve.”
Emma’s face hardened.
“You don’t know what he’ll feel.”
“I know Vincent better than most people.”
“No,” Emma said. “You know the version of him that existed before he met me.”
Brooke’s smile disappeared.
The following morning, Emma received a message from Vincent’s number.
We need to talk about the pregnancy. Do not tell anyone yet. I’m not ready for this.
Emma read it three times.
Her happiness collapsed into confusion.
She called him, but the call went directly to voicemail.
Another message arrived.
I found the box. I need space.
What Emma did not know was that Vincent’s phone had been left in the conference room while he met with attorneys.
Brooke knew his passcode. She had watched him enter it countless times during meetings.
She deleted Emma’s replies before he returned.
Then she sent a message from Emma’s number to Vincent.
I understand. Maybe this was a mistake.
By evening, both believed the other was pulling away.
The misunderstandings continued for days.
Brooke positioned herself between them, controlling schedules, intercepting messages, and offering explanations.
When Emma came to Vincent’s office, Brooke told her he had left through the private garage.
When Vincent asked whether Emma had called, Brooke said she had sounded angry and refused to speak with him.
The final blow came one week later.
Vincent received photographs showing Emma leaving a hotel with Daniel Mercer, another preservation consultant.
The images made it appear they had spent the night together.
In reality, Emma and Daniel had attended a professional conference inside the hotel. Brooke had paid a photographer to capture carefully selected angles.
Vincent confronted Emma that evening.
“Who is Daniel?”
“A colleague.”
“You left a hotel with him at seven in the morning.”
“The conference started at six thirty.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did. I sent you the schedule.”
Vincent searched his messages.
There was nothing.
Emma stared at him.
“You really believe I’m lying?”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
The words wounded her more deeply than an accusation would have.
She picked up the wooden box and held it against her chest.
“I was going to tell you that this baby was the happiest surprise of my life.”
Vincent’s anger faltered.
“Was?”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears.
“You’ve already decided I’m capable of betraying you.”
“That isn’t what I said.”
“You didn’t have to.”
She walked into the bedroom and packed a small suitcase.
Vincent followed, but his phone began ringing. Brooke’s name appeared on the screen.
Emma saw it.
May you like
“Of course,” she whispered.
She left before Vincent understood that the call had arrived at the exact moment Brooke intended.
