pte

crets a

t all their free time together. They laughed easily, shared their hopes and fears, and found comfort in each other's presence. For Emily, being with J

wing tension. They both knew that, sooner or later, t

t wealthy-he was a man of immense power and influence. Known for being shrewd in business and stubborn in personal matters, he had always expected Emily to follow a specific p

didn't fit

mpus, the weight of their secret began to feel unbearable. Emily sti

b observed, watching her wit

've been thinking about my dad," she admitted. "About

, but hearing her say it out loud made it feel more real. "Yeah," he

yes pleading with him. "I don't want to lose you, Jacob

s. "I know. And I don't want to put you in a position

d, her voice cracking slightly. "But I'm not going

o knew how powerful her father was. The last thing he wanted was to c

b asked, his voice barely above a whis

sy answer for him. Her father had always been controlling when it came to her future, and she had neve

trembling. "But I do know that I don't w

. "I don't want to lose you either, Em. But I don't want to

"You're not coming between us, Jacob. This is a

between them. The world outside the café felt far away, as if they were

that lingered between them. Jacob was quiet, lost in thought. He had never imagined falling for

was, the idea of not bein

d him. The thought of telling him about Jacob filled her with dread, but the thought of hiding her relationship any longer felt even wors

screen of her phone. Her fingers hovered over the number she had dialed a thousand times before-h

eath, she presse

he line, deep and commanding as always. "I

the nervousness bubbling inside her. "I, um, I ne

efore Richard Harrison responded, his tone now slightl

," Emily said, her heart pounding. "I'v

with every passing second. "And who is this person?" he

rything. "His name is Jacob Evans. He's a student at my university

When he finally spoke, his tone was icy. "Jacob Evans.

t come from a wealthy family, Dad. He's... well, he's not like u

ity case? Emily, do you realize what you're doing? This boy

me, Dad. He's kind, he's hardworking, and he cares about me for w

ing. "I know his type. And I won't allow you to throw away

efused to back down. "You can't control who I care about, Dad. I'm n

and Emily could hear the frust

" he said, his voice cold and di

her room, her phone still clutched in her hand. The silenc

self of why she had done this. She had chosen Jacob, and despite

what her f