Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I wake up way before my normal time, unable to really sleep at all last night. My heart sinks with disappointment as I extend my hand, expecting to feel Wyatt and Weston, only to encounter an empty bed. The cabin is eerily silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the curtains in the morning breeze. They must have left early to get their chores done.

I grab my phone from the nightstand, planning to message them and tell them I'm up and can meet them to help with chores. Instead, I'm greeted with a text from Greg.

Greg: I won't press charges against the trashy blonde if you come home with me today. The flight is booked. All you have to do is show up. Flight leaves at 8 am. Make the smart decision, Emma.

Fuck! Why does he have to be such a monster?

My eyes fill with tears, and I sit there, the phone shaking uncontrollably in my hands. The decision's weight overwhelms me, and I feel suffocated.

How the hell can I just get up and leave when I'm head over heels in love with the twins. I haven't told them yet because I don't want to scare them away if this is moving too fast, too soon, but I can't deny how they make me feel.

Now, this. Greg's ultimatum. If I stay, Hadley could go to jail. Knowing Greg, he wouldn't let this go easily. I can't risk that, not after everything the Wilders have done for me.

The tears start to spill over, and I bury my face in my hands, sobbing quietly. Maybe it's best if I go home, serve my penance, and deal with Greg on my own terms. I'm still going to divorce that fuckstick, but I won't let him hurt the Wilders in the process. They've been too good to me, and I owe them at least that much.

Sliding from the bed, I hastily dress, my fingers trembling as I button my shirt and zip my jeans. I grab my carry-on and start throwing clothes and essentials into it, not bothering to fold or organize. If I want to avoid being seen and stopped, I don't have time to pack everything. Anything that doesn't make it in the bag, I can replace or have shipped to me later.

The room blurs through my tears as I scan for anything I might need. My eyes land on my purse resting on the dresser, and I immediately start rummaging through it, hoping to find a pen and paper. Sitting down, I start drafting a letter to Wyatt and Weston.

The pen feels foreign in my trembling hand as I stare at the blank piece of paper, tears streaming down my face. Every word I write feels like a dagger to my heart, but I know I have no choice.

Dear Wyatt and Weston,

I'm sure you thought I was staying, and honestly, so did I. The thought of leaving you both, leaving what we've started here, breaks my heart into a thousand pieces. But life is complicated, and you don't deserve to be dragged into this mess that I've created.

I'm going back to face Greg because he's threatening Hadley. I can't let him press charges against her, not after everything your family has done for me, not after all the kindness you've all shown me. You all have been so good to me, so understanding and patient, and I'm sorry, so sorry, for the drama I've caused, for the mess I've dragged you into.

I desperately want to stay, to be with you both, to build something real and lasting. But the truth is, I can't bear the thought of causing you more pain, of pulling you deeper into this nightmare.

Please understand that I care about you both more than I can put into words, more than I ever thought possible. You've shown me love and acceptance that I never dreamed I'd find. But I need to do this. I need to go back to protect everyone involved, to make sure Greg can't hurt anyone else. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me someday, to understand why I had to make this choice, even though it feels like it's tearing me apart.

I know that this letter won't make up for the pain I'm causing, that no words can ever fully express how much I regret having to leave. But please know that every word and tear is a testament to how deeply I care for you both. I hope, more than anything, that someday you'll find it in your hearts to forgive me and remember the two weeks we shared.

With all my love and deepest apologies,

Emma

The ink on the page blurs as my trembling hands wipe away the tears, my heart pounding with dread. They need to know the truth. I fold the letter and leave it on the nightstand, hoping they'll find it when they come back.

I call a cab and hurry from the cabin. As I step outside, I notice a ranch hand tending to the flower beds a few cabins away. I approach him and kindly ask if he could give me a ride to the end of the drive. Despite his confusion, he agrees, and I'm thankful for the small act of kindness.

I'm antsy because I fear the guys will find me first and try to stop me as I wait for the ranch hand to grab the UTV.

By the time we get there, the cab is just pulling up.

"Thanks," I tell the worker and grab my bags, transferring them over to the trunk of the cab.

My eyes stay locked on the ranch as we drive away, tears spilling down my cheeks until I can no longer see it.

The drive to the airport is a blur of tears and heartache. I cry silently, the pain of leaving the twins and the life I've come to love overwhelming me. By the time we reach the airport, my eyes are swollen and my heart feels like it's been torn to shreds.

I just manage to make the flight. I board the plane, my steps heavy and my spirit broken. I find my seat as my belly flips. I feel like shit.

Moments later, Greg sits down next to me, wincing as he does. Dread fills me as I look down at his bandaged up knee.

When my eyes meet his, he has a smug look on his face, and I feel a fresh wave of anger and despair. How much trouble would I get in if I were to punch this fucker in the face right now?

"Glad you came to your senses," he says, his voice grating on my nerves.

"Don't fucking talk to me," I snap, turning to face the window. "How are you even here? Didn't you get shot? Should you be up and walking around?"

"The doctor in this hick town cleared me to go home. I'm on antibiotics and have the wound packed. It was through and through, so no surgery, or that little bitch would be paying for it."

My eyes snap over to his "She should have aimed higher," I hiss. "Shot your fucking dick off!"

He gives me this pitying look like I'm some stupid woman who doesn't know better. "You'll see reason, Emma. I can give you a good life."

I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. "More like I can give you a good life. You're a fucking money sponge."

He doesn't like what I just said, but he turns away, not saying another word to me. Good, his voice makes my ears want to fucking bleed.

Sitting in silence for the rest of the flight, the tension between us hangs heavy in the air. When we land, my father's driver is waiting for us, and I feel like I'm walking to my execution.

My dad meets us at the door to the mansion, his expressions a mix of concern and anger. Like children who have been scolded, we obediently follow him to his office, and with every step, a knot forms in my stomach.

"What the hell has happened in the fourteen days you two have been gone?" my father demands, his voice booming in the confined space.

"Well," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, "the darling man you forced me to marry has been sleeping with someone for months. Hell, maybe years."

"Do you have proof of this?" my father asks. Proof? Is he fucking kidding me? I tell him his daughter is being cheated on and all he cares about is the proof. I hate him right now.

"When we got to the ranch, Greg had to use the restroom. His phone rang, and it was Liam. I answered, thinking it was Liam from work because he's always doing late-night projects and taking his calls at all hours. But a breathy slut answered the phone. Liam is female, and when I went through their messages, it's been going on for a while."

Dad looks at Greg, his eyes narrowing. "Gregory Thomas Sutherland, is this true? Liam is awfully close to Leema, who just so happens to be your assistant."

Greg's eyes dart around, panic clear in his expression. "I, um?—"

"I strongly advise you, young man, not to make the situation any worse. Spit it out."

Huh, maybe he is seeing reason?

"Yes, sir."

"Well, now that the truth is out, Leema will be terminated from the company, and you two can work this out."

And there we go. Nope, still the same old dad.

"I won't," I say, my voice firm. "I refuse to continue with this sham of a marriage. The papers are done, and Greg's been served. You will not change my mind."

My dad falls silent for a moment, his face gradually growing red as he processes my words.

He reluctantly agrees, grinding his teeth. "Fine. You did break the clause of the prenuptial, Greg. So it is her right."

I sigh in relief. "Thank you, Daddy." I give him a grateful smile.

"I will find other potential suitors for you to marry. Now leave us so I can tell Greg what this means for him."

Seriously, just when I think I've made it out of this, I get sucked back into something new. Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy.

I want to argue, but I'm exhausted. I can deal with his potential suitors' remarks later. Right now, I want to go take a bath and cry some more.

I step out of the room, but before I go far, I pause outside the door to catch a few words of Dad's conversation with Greg.

Dad's voice is serious. "You're done, Greg. If the marriage is over, so is your position in the company. I'll give you a good recommendation, but you can't work for our competitors since you signed a non-compete."

Greg's voice is panicked. "I'll press charges against the owners of the ranch since I was shot."

"You will do no such thing," Dad bellows. "I called the local police department down there, and it seems you had your hands on my daughter. You will hobble your way out of this house and leave the Wilders alone since it seems the young lady was protecting my only child. Your parents are expecting you, and you can tell them how your inability to keep it in your pants has lost them millions."

Dad loves me, in his own way.

I hurry away from the door, my heart pounding. As I enter my bedroom, I'm struck by the contrast between the person I was and the person I've become. The room feels like a time capsule, filled with reminders of how just a few short weeks ago my biggest concern was what to pack for my honeymoon. Now, I'm a woman torn between duty and love.

I run a bath, the water hot and soothing as I sink into it. The tears come again, and I let them, needing the release. The bathwater turns cool before I finally get out and dry off.

Wrapped in a fluffy robe, I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the phone. I should call the twins, and tell them everything, but the thought of hearing their voices breaks me. I can't face them.

My mind drifts to the moments we shared, the laughter, the love, the way they made me feel. I think of Weston's steady strength and Wyatt's playful charm, and my heart aches with longing. But I know I made the right choice. Sometimes love is letting go and protecting those who mean the most, and that's what I did. Now I just need to get this divorce over with so that all of this can be in my rear view.

Now let's hope I can live with the consequences.