After working out her discharge papers, Alex led Emma out of the hospital. He held the door open for Emma as they exited the hospital.
The moment the glass doors slid apart, they froze in place. A swarm of reporters, photographers, and videographers were stationed outside, creating a wall of flashing lights and microphones.
Emma's heart stopped, and the color drained from her face as the reality of her situation hit her with brutal force. What were they doing here? How dd they know she was there? She mused, forgetting to realize Jake had mentioned the hospital's name in his speech.
Alex saw this and he didn't need anyone to tell him how Emma must be feeling when he felt her tight grip on his arms.
"Emma! Over here!" shouted one reporter, pushing a microphone in her direction.
"Is it true you cheated on Jake?" another voice called out.
"Did you really try to terminate your pregnancy from your lover?" another question sliced through the chaos, harsher than the others.
Emma felt her knees weaken as she stood frozen in place, the cruel words sinking deep into her mind. She hadn't anticipated this level of attention, and now she was trapped, unable to speak or defend herself.
She wanted to utter words but she couldn't find her voice.
Alex knowing that she needed help immediately stepped in front of her, blocking her from the aggressive onslaught.
"Enough!" His deep voice cut through the cacophony of questions like a blade, causing the reporters to momentarily quiet down.
He stood tall and firm, his gaze cold as steel as he addressed them. "This is private business. None of you have any right to harass her like this. Step back and give her space."
The commanding tone in his voice left no room for argument, still, it didn't stop some of the reporters from shouting questions, desperate for a headline.
"Is it true about the affair? Is Jake the victim here?"
"Who is this man with you? Is he perhaps your lover?"
Alex took Emma by the arm, gently guiding her through the crowd. His grip was firm yet protective, as though he wouldn't let anyone get too close.
"No more questions. This is over," he said, his voice growing more dangerous with each step. "Whoever asks another question should be ready to lose their job," he said when he saw that some of them were still eager to ask some more questions.
Hearing this, everyone of them stopped asking Emma questions as they began questioning and murmuring within themselves, asking the identity of the man.
Alex having succeed in getting them to quiet down, led Emma to the car. Emma, still dazed by the sudden onslaught, stayed close to Alex, keeping her eyes lowered to avoid the camera flashes.
She had no words to give these people. Her mind was blank, her heart racing with humiliation and panic. She barely noticed the movement until they finally reached Alex's car, and he helped her inside.
He closed the door behind her, and the sudden silence inside the vehicle felt like a sanctuary.
Alex circled the car and slid into the driver's seat, his face filled with anger as he stared at the crowd still hovering outside, taking note of the magazines agencies outside.
His hands tightened around the steering wheel, his knuckles white when he glanced at Emma and he couldn't help feeling sorry for her.
"I'm so sorry, Emma. I didn't think there would be any of them here since I didn't see them when I arrived this morning. I should have prepared for this," he said but Emma shook her head, offering him a small, fragile smile.
"It's not your fault. You wouldn't have known. You helped me get out of there. That's what matters," she said, her voice shaky but sincere. "Thank you."
Alex turned to look at her, his expression softening. "I'll make sure this never happens again," he said and Emma offered him a curt nod.
With that, he pulled out of the hospital parking lot, leaving the chaos behind. The tension in the car was visible to anyone who cared to look, thick with unspoken emotions and thoughts.
Emma stared out the window, watching the scenery blur past, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and uncertainty.
She had made a decision. To trust Alex, to take a step toward a life away from Jake but had she made the right one seeing as she was now in the middle of it all?
I need to be strong, she thought, folding her arms around herself. It wasn't like she had many options. Jake had taken everything from her, her dignity, her reputation, even their unborn child. No, she didn't regret agreeing to Alex's plan. At least, for now, it seemed like the only escape.
As they drove in silence, Emma could feel Alex glancing at her from time to time, perhaps checking if she was alright. His mind was undoubtedly racing, too. Emma wondered what he was thinking and how he planned to handle this mess.
He seemed confident, sure of himself, but even he couldn't control the chaos that followed her now. She wanted to trust him and have him help her, she knew she also shouldn't be relying solely on him. She mused and sighed. She needed to have her own plan.
When they finally arrived at Alex's estate, Emma's breath caught in her throat as she took in the environment.
The house was more than she had expected, more grand than anything she had ever seen in real life. It was a sprawling mansion surrounded by tall, imposing trees and lush green gardens unlike the one she had in Jake's compound.
The estate seemed to stretch for miles, secluded and pristine, like something out of a fairy tale. A long, paved driveway led up to the front entrance, where the doors were grand and imposing, flanked by towering pillars.
It was beautiful, but it also made Emma feel deeply out of place. This place was nothing like Jake's. Emma thought with a sad sigh.