He Chose The Dog; I Chose Empire

, with my creation blamed for a mass allergi

ho had promised me the worl

reality, he had his twin brother impersonate him, stealing every new formula I c

building we were in collapsed. I was

save me, or save Carly's dog f

said. "Emily is str

t me t

was given a new identity and a new life in Switzerland. Now, I'm buil

pte

ly

gency vehicles. I stood frozen on stage, the scent of my masterpiece, "Ethereal Bloom," now a toxic cloud in the air. People around me weren't applau

lling unnervingly. Another man clawed at his neck, his eyes wide with terror. The air thickened with a chemical tang, something acrid and wrong, far r

ark Luxury Brands, the man who had championed my vision for this fragrance. His eyes, usually warm and reassuring, were now cold,

dreds of times. It was perfect. Pure." I scrambled for my phone, pulling up the final lab reports, the meticulous notes deta

the worst. "Mass allergic reaction. Severe. Product identified as 'Ethereal Bloom' fragrance. Immediate recall

aling the end of my world. The law was coming. Lawsuits. Public outrage.

descend. They'll tear you apart, Emily. You'll be ruined." He pulled me through a service exit, away from the flas

ng?" I gasped, st

r. "It's isolated. No one will find you there. You'll be safe. I'll handle

a raging storm. "You promise?

e, my love. Just stay low. Keep safe. I'll join you

ke." He would arrive every few months, a whirlwind of passion and intensity that left me breathless. Each time, I'd cling to him,

ess tender. His eyes, though still dark and captivating, held a new, almost predatory gleam. He never spoke of New Yor

e faint lines around his eyes during one of these

But being here, with you, it's my only peace." He'd kiss me then, a long, consuming kiss that stole my

first, I was flattered, reassured by his fierce devotion. It was a stark contrast to the terror and uncertainty

I grew accustomed to it, to his fierce demands, to the way he claimed me, body and soul. I loved him, or at least, I loved the idea of him-the man who was sacri

oo hard," I'd whispe

g you. Afraid of what the world will do if I let my guard down." His vulnerability w

d my isolation, my dependence. I accepted his love as

the ca

han I' d heard it in years. "It's finally over. They've cleare

knees weak, washed over me. "Oh, Blake! R

d now that the storm is behind us, there's something I need to ask." There was a pause, a breath hel

. The vindication, the future, the promise of a life with the man I loved

y bags packed for my return journey. He promised to send a private jet for me within the week. Days turned into a

rate to find him, desperate to understand. The moment I landed in New York, a chilli

ding. And then, I heard it. Not Blake's voice, not exactly. But a voice so eerily similar, boasting, laugh

woman's voice giggled. "Three years? Stuc

a twin brother, Kash, a wild card,

worth it. Blake needed her out of the way, and I needed some... entertainment." He laughed, a chilling, decadent soun

thought were protecting her? They've made me a star. Every single award, every single accolad

ildhood foster sister. The woman who ha

His voice was devoid of the warmth I had once loved, replaced by a calculating chill. "It was the

st for show?" Carly asked, h

s back, thinking she's the queen, only to discover she's wearing a crown of thorns, a fool paraded for all

er word, every passionate kiss, every promise of a future-all lies. All from a man who wasn't even the man I lo

a hand to my mouth, stifling the desperate sob that threatened to escape. I had to get o

d offer a true escape, a true sanctuary. My parents. The wealthy t

your help. I need to disappear. Completely.

ed, cracked with concern. "Emily? What's happ

y US identity...gone. Erased. I can't be found." My

her voice filled with worry. "But we can get you out tonight. A private jet. To

be there." My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. They though