Chapter 4 Chapter 4 7111 4128 " I still can't believe you went through with it , " Nina said as they stepped out of the clinic . She kept one hand under Emery's elbow , steadying her . " You're not supposed to move around this much right after the procedure . Can you slow down ? " Emery kept walking , one hand resting on her stomach . " Relax . I'm with a doctor . " " I'm a dentist , " Nina said . " Whose working for her father's company . " " It's still a doctor , " Emery said over her shoulder . " That has to count for something ." Nina sighed . " Not in this situation , it doesn't . " The two of them continued walking across the lot . The procedure hadn't taken long . The doctor advised her to rest for a while afterward , but Emery had wanted to leave right away and go home to sleep . She felt a little lightheaded but kept going . This wasn't their first time here . Emery had met the doctor at an event , and Nina had pulled some strings with the clinic owner to secure a quick appointment . It wasn't the ideal process - but nothing about this was ideal . The sun was too bright for her mood . Her heels scraped against the pavement as she followed Nina toward the car . Her legs still felt heavy , but she didn't complain . They were halfway there when a car swerved into the parking lot , tires screeching as it stopped just a few feet in front of them . Emery flinched and took a quick step back . Her balance shifted , and she almost lost it again . Nina grabbed her arm immediately . " Are you okay ? " " I'm fine , " Emery said , though her heart was thudding hard now . The car door opened . Emery's eyes narrowed as she looked at it . " You've got to be kidding me . " " You really have the guts to- " Nina wasn't able to finish her words when Samuel rushed toward them . " What happened ? You look pale . Are you alright ? " He reached for Emery's arm . She stepped back immediately . " Don't . " He froze , but didn't move away . " Emery , I got scared . I saw your location and thought something happened . " She stared at him . " How did you know I was here ? " He pulled his phone from his pocket , " We're still sharing locations . When I saw you near this place , I panicked . There are hospitals and clinics all over this building - I didn't know what you were doing . Did something happen ? " " That's none of your business , " she said . Her hand moved to her phone instinctively . She would remove him from that feature the moment she got in the car . " I just wanted to make sure you were okay . " " I will be okay , Samuel ! " She stepped back again . " Don't touch me . " " You're still mad about the news ? " Emery didn't answer . She stood still . Mad about the news ? This man really had the nerve to ask her that after everything ? " We've been together for five years , " he said . " You should know better than to get upset over something like this . You knew your status . You knew my parents would never approve . Em , will you stop moving and talk to me ? " Her jaw clenched . It was all about status . Status here . Status there . She hated it ! " But that doesn't mean we should break up , " he added . " I love you . I still want you by my side . " She looked at him . " The marriage is only on paper . You're still my priority . We can still- " P P Chapter 4 Her hand moved fast . The slap echoed across the lot , cutting him off mid - sentence . His head turned with the force of it . " How dare you ! " Emery asked . " Em- " か H n " You disgust me ! " Emery hissed , her eyes narrowed . Her head was spinning , but she didn't care . She needed to let it out . " Em , please- " She slapped him again . Harder this time . டா Samuel's expression changed immediately . " Enough ! " He stepped toward her . " That's enough . Stop throwing a tantrum ! " He reached for her arm again , but Nina stepped between them . " Don't touch her ! " Nina said , pushing him back . However , Samuel shoved her aside without thinking . Nina stumbled and hit the pavement with a sharp grunt . " Nina ! " Emery turned , but Samuel grabbed her arm before she could check on her friend . " There can only be me , Emery . You understand ? " His grip tightened around both of her arms . " Let go of me ! " she shouted . " I'm doing this for us , " Samuel said , holding her tighter . " Once the Ardens are done with the investments , I can do whatever I want with Talia . Once she gives birth , I'll divorce her . Then we can be together . " Emery struggled . " Let go of me! " " Will you stop moving and listen to me !? " Samuel snapped , his eyes narrowed . " Stop being such a selfish cunt , Em . You know I don't like those type of women ! You should see I'm doing all this for our future . I kept you hidden for a reason . You think I liked it ? I had no choice . My family- " " I said , let me go ! " she shouted again , louder this time . Her legs shook . Her shoulder ached where he held her . Samuel opened his mouth to speak , but before he could say anything , a fist slammed into his jaw , knocking him backward . He staggered and fell to the ground . Emery felt warm arms wrap around her . She clutched the front of the shirt , her body trembling . Her knees nearly gave out , but whoever held her didn't let her fall . A clean smell immediately filled her nose . Not the clean disinfectant smell in the clinic . No. He smelled clean - lemon and musk , something earthy and sharp that clung to his skin and clothes . It grounded her more than she wanted to admit . For the first time since stepping out of that clinic , Emery exhaled . Her chest ached , but her body slowly began to settle . It felt like the ground had finally stopped tilting beneath her feet . " Are you alright ? " a deep , familiar voice filled her ears . Emery stiffened when she realized she was holding onto the coffee - stained shirt she had seen earlier " Hey ... " He steadied her , one hand supporting her back , the other bracing her arm Before she could respond , Samuel's voice cut through the moment . " Don't you dare touch her ! Let her go ! Who the hell do you think you are ? " " You think you're strong ? Putting your hands on someone half your size ? " the man before Emery responded . Try it with me . See how far that strength gets you ! " Emery noticed Nina scrambled to her feet , still shaky , and rushed to her side . She slipped her arm around her , eyes flicking between the two men . " Are you alright ? " Nina asked Emery , however , was too focused on the man standing in front of her . Samuel didn't take threats lightly - she knew that . But this man was at least four inches taller , broader too , and there was a quiet danger in the way he stood . She doubted Samuel would be stupid enough to actually pick a fight . 2/3 P P. Chapter 4 She gave a small nod to Nina's question , just as Samuel took a step forward , fists clenched . But the man stepped forward too , as if ready for a fight . He positioned himself in front of Emery like a shield , his eyes locked on Samuel . " You want a fight ? " he said . " Touch her again , and I swear , I'll break something that won't heal right . " Samuel stopped a few feet away . His jaw tightened , eyes scanning the man's face . " Do you even know who I am ? " The man tilted his head slightly and gave a slow , mocking smile . " Can you use that name once you're limping out of here in pieces ? Or in a body bag ? " The silence that followed was thick . However , it didn't take too long before Samuel clicked his tongue and turned his glare on Emery . " This isn't over , Em . Answer my Let's talk when you are not that angry . " calls . He spun around and marched back to his car . The door slammed shut a second later , the engine revving as the tires screeched vehicle pulled away . and the Then , the man turned and stared at her . " You know , for someone so clumsy and loud , you're lucky I was around . Again . " He paused , then added , " At this rate , you should probably put me on payroll . " Emery snorted . This was indeed the second time he had saved her . She said nothing as she pulled her wallet from her bag , took out a couple of hundred - dollar bills , and shoved them against his chest . " This should be enough . " The man didn't take the money . Instead , his hand closed around her wrist . Before she could react , he lifted it to his face and brought it close to his nose . Her body froze . He closed his eyes as he inhaled slowly , like he was trying to confirm something . She tried to pull back , but his grip was firm . Too firm . When he opened his eyes again , she paused . Something about the way he looked at her had changed . 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