Chapter 24

Emily Smith froze the moment she pushed open the door.

William Johnson lounged lazily on the living room sofa, a cigarette dangling between his slender fingers. Beside him stood Emma Clark, her cheeks still streaked with fresh tears.

"Emily Smith?!"

Emma's shrill voice sliced through the air. Emily instinctively turned to flee.

"Stop."

William's deep voice was like an invisible shackle, rooting her feet to the spot. She slowly turned back, meeting Emma's blazing glare.

"You bitch!" Emma lunged forward, hand raised to strike.

Emily squeezed her eyes shut.

The expected slap never came. Instead, Emma's scream pierced her ears. Emily opened her eyes to see Emma sprawled on the floor, while William now stood protectively in front of her, radiating icy menace.

"William!" Emma sobbed. "Why is she here? What right does this trash have to be in your home?"

William narrowed his eyes, his voice glacial. "Emma Clark, what gives you the right to question me?"

Emma's face paled. Suddenly hysterical, she shrieked, "Does Amanda know? Does she know you're cheating on her?"

Amanda?

Emily's heart lurched. So that was the name of the "baby" in William's phone.

William chuckled darkly, stepping closer until Emma shrank back. "Of course she doesn't know. But if she finds out..." He paused. "It'll be because of you."

Emma trembled violently. "I'm Amanda's best friend! How could you do this to me?"

"Best friend?" William laughed as if it were the most ridiculous joke. "You're not worthy."

Emma's face twisted with fury and humiliation.

"Get out." William's patience snapped. "You're fired."

The door slammed shut with a deafening crash, making Emily flinch. She edged backward, but William seized her wrist.

"Running away?" His voice was low and commanding as he dragged her to the sofa and shoved her down.

Emily stared up at him in terror, her throat too dry to speak.

"Water..." she managed to croak.

William frowned, got up, and returned with a glass. Emily gulped it down, then gazed pleadingly at the empty cup.

"More?"

She nodded desperately.

This time, William didn't move. He took a slow sip himself, then patted his thigh.

Emily bit her lip and inched forward. Just as she was about to reach him, William suddenly flipped her onto her back, pinning her beneath him.

"Now," his voice rumbled in her ear. "Let's settle our accounts."