Chapter 3 Chapter 3 D . 10 " This is such a stupid - like , incredibly stupid - idea , Em , " Nina muttered , shoving a hot coffee into Emery's hands . " I know you're rich . Filthy rich . But this ? " She glanced around the waiting area of the clinic and lowered her voice . " Why the hell would you do something like ... artificial insemination ? " Π Emery didn't answer . She couldn't . TH Her coat was still wrinkled from the struggle . Her blouse , slightly torn at the sleeve , hung off one shoulder . The smear of mascara under her eyes hadn't faded , and her cheeks were still damp from crying . She hadn't even changed her clothes . She had run straight here . Nina sighed and reached out , trying to hold her hand . Emery slapped it away without looking up . " It's my only choice , " she said , voice flat . " Only choice ? " Nina blinked at her , completely thrown . " What does that even mean ? How the hell did I end up with a friend like you ? " When Emery didn't respond , Nina cursed softly . " That bastard Samuel , " she hissed . " This is his fault ! I still can't believe he threw you away like that . For what ? A damn business deal ? " She gestured wildly with one hand . " Alright , we should leave . You can still find a man who would marry you . There are literally billions of men out there . Half of them would kill to marry you if you gave them the time of day ." Emery gave a dry , humorless chuckle and sipped the coffee . " I don't need a man to be happy , " she said . " I just need a baby . " She didn't elaborate . She didn't have the energy . She was certain that her father already saw the news about Samuel and Talia . Her phone hadn't stopped buzzing - calls from her father , from her brother , even from his assistant . She ignored them all . Talking meant admitting she lost . It meant acknowledging that Samuel had chosen someone else . That her five - year plan had ended in public humiliation and a slap from his mother . So she stayed quiet . But the longer she stayed silent , the more something inside her shifted . She didn't want to fix things anymore . She didn't want to go back . What she wanted now was control . And to take back control , she needed one thing . An heir . She came prepared . She wasn't going to marry someone just to have a child . Her father would explode if he found out she was going through with artificial insemination , but that wasn't her concern anymore . She was done living by rules designed by men . Nina opened her mouth to say something else , but a nurse stepped into the waiting area . " Emery Vaughn ? " Nina sighed . " Go ahead . I'm gonna run to the restroom real quick . " Emery nodded , grabbed her coffee , and followed the nurse . As she reached into her purse to grab her phone , it buzzed . She turned without thinking - and walked straight into something solid . Not something . Someone . A hard chest , warm and very real . She swore and stumbled back , glaring up . " Seriously ? Do you not look where you're going ? " Her gaze traveled up the man's broad chest , past his ruined white shirt - now splashed with mascara and coffee - up to his face . Tall . Easily six - four , maybe more . Lean , but built like someone who worked out in secret . His leather jacket clung perfectly to his frame . His black hair looked like he styled it with his fingers , and his stubble only added to the whole rugged and dangerous vibe . And then she saw his eyes . Light brown , almost golden in the light . Gemstone eyes on a man built like a sin . How annoying . Her brain stalled . Was she starting to hate men because of Samuel !? P P • Chapter 3 Then he opened his mouth . " I don't know what kind of game you're playing , but I'm not interested . " He brushed past her like she was a damn lamppost . Her jaw dropped . " Excuse me ? " Not even an apology ? However , he didn't stop . " If this is your way of flirting , next time try not to dump overpriced coffee all over someone's shirt . " Then he let his eyes travel down her clothes . " And at least dress better . You look like a corpse . " She stormed after him . " Excuse me ? You walked into me , jackass . And if you hadn't been standing in the middle of the hallway like some oversized furniture- " " So it's my fault you weren't watching where you were going ." " Maybe if you weren't built like a moving wall , " she snapped , stepping closer . " Who even walks around that tall in a hallway like this is a catwalk ? " He tilted his head . " Not my fault you're small . " I'm not small . You're just freakishly tall . " He shrugged . " Still not my problem ." She let out a sharp breath . First Samuel . Now this ? Men are hateful . Period ! He stepped around her , clearly done with the conversation , but Emery wasn't finished . She spun on her heel and followed him , matching his pace . " How can you be so rude ? The least that you can do is apologize ! " He stopped , glanced over his shoulder , and gave her a once - over - slow , dismissive , infuriating . Then he smirked . Some rich couple was probably lining up to pay a fortune for a baby with his cheekbones and ego . Just as she hoped , his smirk faltered - just enough to satisfy her . " What did you just say ? " His voice dropped , low and controlled , as he stepped toward her . The air shifted . He was close now - too close . Her breath caught , but she held her ground , refusing to look away even as something electric danced between them . She was about to respond when the nurse called her name again . Emery clenched her jaw , shot him one last death glare , and stormed down the hallway . Jerk . She took one step , and her foot slipped over the wet tile where the coffee had spilled . Her heel skidded forward , and her balance disappeared . " Oh , come on She braced for impact . But she never hit the floor . Instead , she felt two strong arms catch her - one around her back , the other gripping her wrist . Her body slamined into a firm chest , the impact knocking the air out of her lungs . Her eyes flew open . Of course . It was him . 2/3 P P Chapter 3 The same ruined white shirt . The same smug expression . She froze , hands awkwardly pressed against his chest . He didn't move . He didn't let go . " You really know how to leave an impression , " he said , his gaze locked on hers . Emery shoved at him immediately . " Let go . " He released her without hesitation . " You're welcome . " " I didn't ask for your help ." " You were falling headfirst into the tile . I figured embarrassment was better than a concussion . " Π She yanked herself upright and adjusted her coat , brushing her skirt with quick , irritated hands . " Maybe if someone didn't block hallways like a damn redwood tree- " He cut her a glance , unimpressed , and walked right past her without a word . That only pissed her off more . She spun after him . " You didn't even apologize ." " You're the one who spilled the coffee . " " I tripped because of the coffee that spilled because of you ! " He glanced over his shoulder , completely unfazed . " Sounds like a personal problem . If you're here for therapy , wrong clinic . " Emery opened her mouth , fully ready to tear into him , but the nurse at the end of the hall called her name again - louder this time , with a hint of impatience . She clenched her jaw , gave him one last searing glare , and turned on her heel . " God , I hope no one picks your DNA , " she muttered . Without turning around , his voice drifted back- " You wish . 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