Chapter 25

"Emily, are you even listening?"

My thoughts were interrupted by Sophie's words, but I hardly paid attention. I noticed the worried expression on her face as I looked at her across the table. We were seated in the little café next to my apartment in the late afternoon. This would normally be a nice reunion of old friends, but today everything felt different.

I murmured, looking down at my phone once more. "Yeah, sorry." The pile of choices and power struggles I had been handling at Monroe Enterprises had kept my head racing all day. The simplicity of my former life had vanished.

Sophie sighed, obviously annoyed. "Since I arrived, you have been behaving strangely. You're hardly listening at all."

In an attempt to relieve the strain in my shoulders, I forced a smile. "I'm simply... busy. This week has been quite hectic."

"A hectic week?" Sophie reiterated in a doubtful tone. "You've changed, Emily. I hardly recognize you anymore. This isn't you.

Her remarks made me angry, and I felt a jolt of annoyance seep into my chest. She didn't understand. Sophie was a small-town girl, rooted in a world that no longer existed for me.

"People change, Soph," I remarked, sounding more abrasive than I meant to. "I'm not the same person I was back in Willow Creek. This is my life now."

"But why does that mean you have to become... like this?" Sophie leaned forward to inquire. "Whatever happened to the people-loving Emily? Who wasn't obsessed with money and power?"

I exclaimed, "I'm not fixated on cash and power," before I could stop myself. "I'm doing my obligations. This business is brutal. I'll be eaten alive if I don't change."

Although Sophie's eyes softened, the worry persisted. "I'm concerned for you. This isn't who you are."

I got up from the table and scoffed. "Perhaps you no longer recognize me."

As we made our way back to my apartment, the awkwardness between us persisted. Since our quarrel, Sophie had hardly talked, and I wasn't sure if I should try to make amends or simply let her go. In actuality, she was correct. I was different. But I didn't have a choice. Joining Monroe Enterprises required me to play a new game, one that I had to win at all costs.

When we arrived at my flat, I paused at the entrance and looked around for my keys. Sophie was standing next to me with her arms folded and her face unreadable.

She muttered, "I'm going back to Willow Creek tomorrow."

I looked at her and froze. "Already? I assumed you would be here for a few more days."

Sophie shook her head. "I'm not sure if I can be with you at this time. Not in this manner."

I didn't show it, but her remarks struck me more strongly than I had anticipated. I had learned how to hide my emotions in this world, how to keep people at arm's length.

"All right," I responded in a non challant tone. "Do as you please."

Sophie's expression was a mix of surprise and hurt as she looked at me for a while. Then she turned and left without saying anything else.

My chest constricted as I watched her leave, the gap between us widening. I wanted to run after her and apologize, but I refrained from doing so. Rather, I turned and opened the door, entering the vacant apartment.

After Sophie had finally left later that night, I sat in my living room and looked out the window at the city skyline. The apartment felt empty, and I considered the possibility that Sophie was right. Maybe I was changing. Maybe I was changing into a different person.

That concern, however, vanished when I looked at my phone and saw the messages from Jack and Ethan regarding tomorrow's board meeting. I didn't have time to think about my past self. This was my life now, and I had to survive it.

I got up and moved toward the window. I pondered what my future might hold in this world of riches, crime, and power as the city lights flickered in the distance. I was ready to look aside when my attention was drawn to something odd.

I squinted at a shadowy figure across the street as I froze. There it stood, the figure observing.

A shiver went through my body.

I hurried away from the window. It might have been nothing. Maybe I was just paranoid.

With my senses sharpened, I inspected the apartment. That's when I saw it-the tiny, hardly perceptible gadget tucked away in my living room corner. a wire-tap. As I looked at it, my blood froze. I was being watched.

The FBI had to be involved. or worse.

It made my skin crawl to realize that whoever it was was watching me. I couldn't remain here in this state.

I picked up my phone and called Ethan.

"Emily?" He spoke tensely.

With a shuddering voice, I said, "I want to talk with you. Someone's been watching me. My apartment is bugged."

He paused for a long moment. "Where are you now?"

Feeling vulnerable, I looked around the room and muttered, "At home. I can't stay here, though."

With firmness, Ethan responded, "I'll come get you. Pack your things. You're staying with me."

An hour later, Ethan arrived. With shaking hands, I packed a few clothing and necessities into a bag and rushed out of the apartment. I felt ill because I thought someone was watching me and hearing everything I said.

As we walked away, Ethan remained silent, but I could see the stress on his face.

I hesitated when we got to his penthouse. Moving in with Ethan? This wasn't part of the plan. But I had no other option at the moment. Staying here with him or continuing to be a target in my own house.

I whispered, "Thanks," as we entered.

"Don't mention it," Ethan replied, his voice softer than usual. "This is a safe place for you."

Safe. All I wanted was that. Safety. However, when I turned to face Ethan, I became aware of something else: sharing this space with him seemed like something more. Something deeper.

And perhaps, just possibly, that posed a greater threat to me than anything else.