Page 289 of Billionaire Temptations

After setting up a meeting to sign the lease agreement later in the week, she left, and I stayed back to turn off the lights and lock up. As I approached the door and was just about to walk out, I stopped when I saw Emily walk by. My heart started pounding at seeing her in her long black coat and black knit hat. She looked beautiful, and an overwhelming sadness consumed me. More so than what I already felt. Was this feeling worth it? This misery that overtook me? No matter how hard I tried to fight it and get my life back to normal, it didn’t matter. Walking away from women had always been easy, but not with her. I figured a couple of days at the most, and she’d be out of my mind, but she wasn’t. She had a hold on me that was too strong to fight.

Something Ms. Goodman said stuck with me. How she wouldn’t trade the past ten years with her husband for anything. I wouldn’t have traded the past few months with Emily. What we had, what we shared, and the things we did were phenomenal. I hurt her in a way that I would never be able to forgive myselffor. I was angry she broke the rules, and I wanted to punish her for doing so. But I was only punishing myself because I did feel things I’d never felt before, and I knew it the whole time we were together, but I pushed it aside out of fear. Fear that things would change between us.

I stepped outside the building and locked the door. Looking down the street, I saw she turned the corner, so I followed her. Why? I had no idea. Seeing her again stirred up more than just feelings. It stirred up memories we had made and a time that made me the happiest I’d ever been. I needed to reach out to her, but I was scared of her reaction. Was she okay? Had she already forgotten about me and moved on, not giving what we had another thought? She was out of sight, so I hailed a cab, and instead of going back to the office, I went home.

Chapter Forty

ONE WEEK LATER

Emily

I needed to get away for a few days and do some soul-searching and self-reflecting. My life had been forever changed, and I needed some time alone to think. Gregory and his wife had rented a place in Montauk for the week and invited me to join them. Despite the fact that fall had settled in, and the temperatures were getting cooler, it would be a great place for me to escape for a few days and spend some time with my dad.

It was eight o’clock p.m. when I threw my suitcase in the back of my rental car and started my journey. I got a late start because I needed to make sure everything was in order before I left. I wasn’t worried about the store because I knew Katie would look after things while I was gone. This trip was something I needed to do for my own sake and well-being. I needed to put my relationship and all thoughts of Jackson out of my head and begin healing my broken heart. When I returned, things would be different, and I needed to prepare for that.

Jackson

It was nine o’clock in the evening, and I was out for a late dinner with Samuel when my phone rang, and I saw Jules was calling.

“Hello.”

“Jackson. I need you to get down to the ER as soon as possible. There’s been an accident,” she spoke in a panicked tone.

“What kind of accident? Are Mom and Dad okay?”

“It’s Emily. She’s been in a car accident, and the paramedics are on their way in. I thought you would want to know.”

“What?!” I shouted. “I’m on my way.”

“What happened?” Samuel asked.

“Emily’s been in a car accident, and I need to get to the hospital.” I flew out of my chair.

“Go, man. Go. Don’t worry about the bill. I got it.”

I raced outside the restaurant and climbed into the back of my limo.

“Edward, we need to get to the hospital now! Emily’s been in an accident.”

My heart was pounding, and horrible thoughts were racing inside my head. Why the hell was she driving? Where was she going? I laid my head back on the seat and closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths to calm the panic inside me.

Edward pulled up to the curb of the ER, and I ran inside, stopping at the security desk.

“Dr. Jules Caine. There’s been an accident, and I’m her brother. She just called me.”

The security guard opened the double doors, and I saw Jules and Carter standing a few feet away with their arms folded.

“Jules!” I ran towards her. “Where is she?”

“They’ll be here in a minute.”

“What the hell happened? How do you know it’s Emily?”

“The paramedics found her license in her purse.”

“Jules, they’re here,” Carter spoke as he ran down the hall.

“Stay here!” Jules commanded.

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