Chapter 173:

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Emily’s POV

“So, you’re investigating your own family?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know. I lay on the bed, naked under the sheets, while Matt Foster sat beside me, playing with my hair.

“Yes,” he exhaled deeply. “I had no choice. You said I should investigate to prove Kelly wrong, but now I’m proving myself wrong, Em. My father was involved in her mom’s death. I’m sure of it.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t even have proof.”

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“No concrete evidence, but I overheard him twice, talking to someone about certain documents that could be used against him.”

“So you believe your father, the perfect man in your eyes, is a murderer?”

“I don’t know.”

I could see the pain in his eyes. He was struggling to accept what he had uncovered. It was heartbreaking for him to realize that the man he had idolized could be capable of such things. I understood that heartbreak all too well—it was the same feeling I had when I discovered my own father was involved in a syndicate. I couldn’t accept it. I couldn’t accept that the money he used to raise me and provide for my education had come from illegal dealings.

“What are you planning to do? Will you report him?”

“I have to, Emily. It’s the right thing to do.”

“What about your twin? Will he do the same?”

“He’ll do the opposite, Emily. He believes in our father too much.”

He insisted on having a relationship. I don’t have feelings for him. Yes, he satisfies me in bed. I like his kisses. I like his touch. I like how he makes me feel alive whenever we get physical. But is that enough to start a relationship? I admit it—I’m afraid to trust again. I admit I’ve developed a trauma from what happened to me in the past. I don’t want to trust him.

I felt his hand caressing my bare shoulder, but suddenly, I didn’t like it. To avoid his touch, I quickly got out of bed, completely naked, and put on my robe. I grabbed a cigarette and lit it.

“Do you smoke all the time?” he asked, his voice low.

I turned to face him slowly, smirking. “Why? You don’t like women who smoke? It’s okay. We can break up.”

His brow shot up as he stared at me. “You think I’ll let you go over something as stupid as that?”

I scoffed. “Why do you even want me as your girlfriend?”

“I already answered that, Emily. I told you, I like you.”

“That’s not enough.”

“It’s enough because I know it’ll grow.”

“What?”

I got off the bed and walked around naked. My gaze landed on his backside, and my brow shot up. “If you don’t want to believe me, that’s alright. I just want you to stay with me and try this relationship. You’re bored, anyway. So if you want to ease your boredom, just call me. I don’t think you’ll settle for just that.”

He stopped in front of the bathroom door, looking at me with a smirk. “Try me. I’m telling you, this feeling is eternal.”

I was left standing there, dumbfounded by his words. I stared at the closed bathroom door, my throat tightening. He’s serious. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never been involved with a man like him. He’s full of surprises. At first, I thought he was just like any other man, but I was wrong. He’s different. Really different.

I swallowed hard, then stepped out of the bedroom as I dialed Kelly’s number. I nervously bit my nail while waiting for her to answer. I think she’s still asleep.

[Hello?]

“Kelly!” I said, urgency in my voice.

I heard some rustling on the other end. [Are you okay? Did something happen?]

I bit my bottom lip and took a deep breath. “I just have a question.”

There was a long pause, and I wondered if I should even ask her about this. But in the end, I found myself blurting it out.

“Uh…I think I’m developing feelings for your cousin.”

[Matt?]

“Yes…”

[He’s not evil, Emily. I think you can trust him.]

“But I’m afraid of trying again.”

[Emily, if you already have feelings for him, you can’t run away from it.]

“So…you think we should make this work?”

[Are you really together?]

I sighed and fiddled with the carpet beneath my slippers. “Yes. He’s just…so persistent. He kept chasing me. Can you believe he made a scene in a bar just because I was avoiding him?”

I heard Kelly chuckle. [I guess this is your great chance at love, Emily. Why don’t you try it? Just like how I grabbed the chance to be happy with Pierce again.]

I bit my bottom lip. “You think he won’t hurt me?”

I paused, and Kelly’s words hung in the air. [I can’t answer that. But if your heart wants it, go for it. Don’t restrain your feelings, Emily. It’ll only weigh you down.]

I swallowed hard again and slowly nodded. Well, I guess she’s right. There’s no harm in trying. Happiness always comes with risks and sacrifices. I suppose I should give this a chance and see if it works. If it doesn’t, I’ll cut all ties with him immediately. But if it does… then I won’t let him go.

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