Boundaries
Emerson and I sat in silence, the dining room still and our food untouched. I looked toward him hesitantly, sensing the emotions swirling inside him. I knew how much he loved and cared for his son, and seeing the conflict in his eyes, I understood just how difficult this was for him.
He had just kicked Eric out of the house. Eric’s childhood home and that decision must have been so hard.
To be honest, I was shocked when Emerson agreed to my crazy plan in the first place. I didn’t think he would actually follow through with it and agree to marry me. But he did. And now, here we were, with Eric no longer welcome in his father’s home. I could see the war raging inside Emerson.
1 feel so guilty for the way he must feel although it sent a zing of pleasure inside me to see Eric’s face when he realized he had lost this round.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered softly, my voice low.
He turned his attention towards me, and he blinked as if surprised by my apology.
“Why are you apologizing?” he asked, his voice calm with confusion.
“I’m sorry you had to do that,” I replied, my voice still low. “I’m sorry I put you in that spot, in that position where you had to do that to him. I know how hard it is for you. I know…”
Before I could finish, he cut me off. “No. No, you never have to apologize to me. Especially not for him and for the way he acted.‘
His tone was firmer now, filled with conviction. “Even if you weren’t my fiancée, even if we weren’t going to get married, you’re still his ex–wife. He has to respect you for that alone. And even if you weren’t his ex–wife, even if he didn’t know you at all, he still has no right to speak to you the way he did. Especially not in my house. He knows better.”
Emerson’s jaw tightened, “And the fact that he does know who you are, that you’re going to be my wife, and he still had the nerve to disrespect you in my house? That just cemented my decision. He had to go. He needs to learn some manners, and if he’s not going to, he won’t be allowed back here.‘
His words were clear and determined. He wanted me to understand this wasn’t just about me…it was about respect and boundaries. I nodded, understanding his decision. Why did this make me feel so warm all over?
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Emerson reached across the table, extending his hand toward me. I lifted mine to meet his, and our fingers touched, his touch warm and secure. A smile spread across his face as he squeezed my hand gently.
“I’m sorry that lunch wasn’t as peaceful and quiet as I thought it would be,” I said softly.
Emerson nodded, his voice calm as he responded, “Yeah, it’s okay. It’s fine, really. I was expecting that, and even a lot more, I think, is about to come.” He gave me a small smirk, his eyes filled with understanding. “You were prepared for an outburst, weren’t you?”
“Not an outburst, really,” I admitted, “but I knew he was going to lash out. I just didn’t know when or where. He caught me off guard, although I kind of expected it would happen. Just not this early on.” I let out a laugh, trying to shake off the tension. “I guess this news really hit him in the ribs. Must be his worst nightmare.”
“Yeah, it must have,” Emerson agreed with a smile, watching me as I chuckled softly. The tension had lessened a bit but the tension was still lingering in the room.
I glanced down at my plate. “The food’s already cold. Do you want to maybe preheat it or order something else?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m okay, and I kind of already lost my appetite.”
“Me too. Eric has a talent for doing that.” I said with some hint of truth in my statement. Emerson looked at me and I think he caught that in my voice, he looked at me questioningly but the look in my eyes was clear I wasn’t going to talk about it.
“Rose told me Madeline isn’t feeling well,” I said in an attempt to change the subject.
“Yeah, she got a headache or something,” Emerson replied dismissively.
“Okay, I think I’ll go to her quarters and see if she needs anything,” I suggested, about to rise from my seat.
“No,” Emerson said quickly, almost too quickly.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I mean, she told us she just needs some sleep,” he explained. “If you go there, it might disrupt her. I think you should just let her sleep it off. You just got here…you need to get used to the house. Give her some time, and we’ll talk to her tomorrow. Plus we just broke the news of our engagement to her, It’s just a lot for her. She
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Boundanes
probably needs to process everything on her own for now.”
I hesitated but nodded. “Hmm…. okay. I think I might just go and rest too, maybe
sleep a bit.”
“Actually, since we’re here, do you want to do something together?” he asked,
“No, not today. I think I’m going to take this time to just relax. It’s been a lot.”
“Yeah, I get it,” he nodded.
Standing up slowly, I said. “I guess I need to put my brain to work too.”
“You’re already thinking of your next move, aren’t you?” he asked with a knowing look.
“Not yet,” I chuckled. “That’s why I need to sleep. Hopefully, when I wake up, I’ll have something else in store.”
Emerson grinned. “Alright then, I’ll let you rest. See you later.”
“See you later fiancée,” I said as I walked.
away.
“See you later, beautiful,” he called after me and I couldn’t help but break into a
smile.
I go to my new bedroom and walk inside. I start thinking of changing the room and doing a later makeover. But then I think, why? The place is already so beautiful, and know Emerson told me to redecorate because he can’t help but feel guilty for putting me here.
Plus, he kind of insinuated that I was going to move into the master bedroom after. So why just throw money down the drain?
I’m not unpacking. He has to know. I have to show that I’m not willing to settle. I’m not unpacking, and I’m not staying here. This is only temporary. It’s only for a few days because I’m planning to move into the master bedroom after we’re married. This has to be airtight. Nobody can find out this is a sham. I will get my revenge and I will have fun while doing it.
Just as I start walking to the balcony, my phone starts ringing with notifications. I turn towards it, and as I unlock it, I find different links related to the company and the Blackwinds sent to my phone.
What I see there shocks me.
I guess I should have expected this.
