Chapter 49

That was the seventh time that morning that my hand was pricked by a buzzing phone. As I waited for the call to connect, I briefly glanced at Emily's name on the screen, hoping she would finally answer. But it went to voicemail again, and I gritted my teeth in exasperation.

"This is me, Emily. Why don't you just give me a call? Would you kindly?"

Leaning back in my chair and taking a big breath, I ended the conversation. Her return to Willow Creek made it seem like she had erected a barrier between us. There was nothing I could do to prevent her from drifting farther and further away. With each missed call, I felt like the bond we had was eroding further and further away from her.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Jack's voice from the corridor. Curiosity piqued, I got up and hurried out to find him in his office, packing files into a box.

I cleared my throat. "What's going on?"

Jack didn't look up, his hands moving swiftly as he resumed packing. "What does it look like, Ethan? I'm leaving."

A scowl developed as I watched him load the rest of his papers into the box. "Leaving? Why? Now? Where?"

Jack straightened, finally meeting my eyes with an expression that was a mix of frustration and disappointment. "I was here to help Emily settle into her role after inheriting the inheritance. I've done just that so far, and now she has her footing in this whole mess. There is no use in me lingering around anymore, especially when you refuse to cooperate with me after all my efforts Ethan. I can't keep this."

I felt a stab of shame but soon brushed it aside, keeping my tone calm. "Jack, we need you here. Emily needs you here."

Jack's jaw tightened, and he emitted a short, humorless laugh. "Do you even know what she needs, Ethan? Because from where I'm standing, you're doing a very good job of keeping her in the dark about everything that matters."

I folded my arms, meeting his look head-on. "I know what I'm doing. I'm protecting her."

"Protecting her?" Jack scoffed, shaking his head. "You're only pushing her further away, Ethan. Secrets, half-truths that's not protection. You're leaving her exposed and confused."

My tolerance was becoming thin, but I stood my stance. "I'm doing what I have to do. This isn't some family drama, Jack. There are genuine stakes here, and I won't endanger her safety by dragging her into every unpleasant detail. Details she don't have any business with."

Jack sighed, raising the package with one arm. "Keep telling yourself that. But when everything comes crumbling down, don't pretend astonished if she's the one who ends up caught in the crossfire. I won't stand by and watch that happen though."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I said what I said Ethan. Now if I may?"

He brushed past me, rushing toward the door. Before I could stop myself, I screamed out, "Jack, wait."

He turned back, his gaze weary. "What, Ethan?"

"Don't go," I urged, my voice low. "We need you here."

He shook his head, disappointment clear in his demeanor. "I'm going back to my law firm, Ethan. I'm not disappearing. It's evident that you don't want my aid, and I'm done trying to be part of this circus. But if you eventually change your mind, you know where I am."

"Jack, listen..."

But before I could finish, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, and my heart plummeted as I saw the name flashing on the screen.

Victor.

I felt Jack's eyes on me, his gaze sharpening as he spotted the frown on my face. Ben had known about Victor from the beginning, but Jack Jack still didn't completely comprehend the extent I was going to in order to keep Emily safe. He didn't know about the negotiations, the threats, the shaky line I was walking.

I hesitated, feeling the weight of his scrutiny, before finally answering the phone.

"Ethan," Victor's silky, measured voice slipped through the receiver, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "I trust you're ready for our meeting. Big one, be there in thirty minutes."

My gut churned, but I forced a cool tone. "I'll be there."

"Good," Victor responded, a touch of delight in his voice. "It's time we discuss some... important details and meet the team. I expect you to arrive prepared."

The line went silent, and I carefully lowered the phone, feeling the usual weight of dread descend over me.

Jack was watching me, his look turning from mistrust to something closer to understanding, though there was still a lingering dissatisfaction. He didn't say anything, but his eyes told me all I needed to know. He could see straight through me, but I couldn't give him what he needed.

"Let me guess," Jack murmured finally, his voice filled with malice. "Another 'business' meeting?"

I didn't answer, keeping my face emotionless as I put the phone back into my pocket. "It's something I need to handle on my own."

He shook his head, the frustration on his features hardening into something colder. "Of course Ethan. Go ahead, Ethan. Keep lying, keep pushing everyone away. But don't come coming to me when it all blows up in your face."

Without another comment, Jack turned and went out, the finality of his shoes resounding down the corridor. I stood there, watching him leave, feeling the walls closing in a little more around me. Ben approached from down the hall, a look of alarm on his face.

"You okay, man?" he inquired, peering between me and the empty doorway where Jack had left.

"Yeah," I said, though my voice didn't sound believable even to myself.