Emilia sat in silence, trying to find the best way to tell Carl about her sudden marriage.
Her BMW stopped at the private parking lot for executives and she got down from it .
Carl who also arrived not so long ago and was waiting for her smiled and hugged her .
"I missed you baby"Carl said patting her back before pulling back from the hug.
Rachael stood in silence unsure of how to feel about her best friends situation.
She excused herself to give them some space by standing at a far distance.
"Carl, there's something I want to tell you "Emilia began clenching her fist .
If there was one person she was always grateful for then it's Carl but she needed to end things otherwise when her family finds out they'll end him.
"Let's have dinner together tonight"Carl suggested his eyes full of affection.
Emilia swallowed and modded , She stepped back from him and walked away with Rachel hurrying to follow up.
Emilia's heart ached as she walked away from Carl.
Rachel caught up to her when they entered the elevator .
"Lia, are you okay?" Rachel asked.
Emilia shook her head.
"I have to end things with Carl," Emilia said she knew what her family was capable of especially her mother .
Rachel's expression softened.
"I know," Rachel said. "But is it fair to him?"
Emilia sighed.
"I'll be putting him in danger if we stay together," Emilia said.
Rachel nodded even if Emilia didn't say it out loud , Rachel knew of the dark secrets the Clarke family was holding.
"You're doing it to protect him," Rachel said.
Emilia nodded.
Emilia buried herself in work doing her best to forget all about Carl but her heart kept aching.
It was finally time for her to close from work and she gripped her phone replying to the message Carl sent not so long ago .
Emilia arrived at one of the reputed restaurants and was directed to a private room by one of the waitress.
During dinner that night, Emilia struggled to find words and Carl noticed it making him restless.
Carl's eyes sparkled with love .
"Emilia, what's wrong?" Carl asked finally noticing her playing with her food instead of eating .
Emilia took a deep breath.
"Carl, I...I have to marry someone else," Emilia relayed .
Carl's face fell.
"What?" Carl asked hoping whatever he heard wasn't true but Emilia's face alone made him confirm that whatever he heard was true .
Emilia's voice trembled.
"My parents arranged it," Emilia said.
Carl's eyes narrowed.
"You can't be serious," Carl said.
Emilia nodded.
Carl's expression became rigid "No , you're not marrying anyone!".
Emilia shook her head answering " we have to Carl , I'm sorry for doing this to you " .
"You're just going to leave me like that?" Carl asked.
Emilia's heart shattered.
"Carl, please understand," Emilia said.
"There should be some way Emilia, I'll go talk to your parents about it tomorrow" Carl proposed .
"You'll do no such thing Carl , please let's end our relationship today "Emilia affirmed her eyes burning with tears .
Carl noticing how resolute she was to break up with him heart shattered, he stood up and stormed out of the room .
Emilia sat there the tears finally making their ways down her cheeks.
Was Emilia's sacrifice worth protecting Carl?
Would Carl ever forgive Emilia?
Emilia's tears fell like rain, her heart shattered.
Rachel found her still sitting in her place concern etched on her face.
"Lia, I'm so sorry," Rachel said her heart heavy .
Emilia wiped her tears.
"I did it to protect him," Emilia said.
Rachel hugged her.
"I know, but that doesn't make it easier," Rachel said.
Emilia sighed , that night she barely caught any sleep.
The days passed, and Emilia's wedding preparations began.
The Moriarty family reached out to the Clarke's to make Emilia stay in their mansion three days to the wedding.
Emilia felt like a pawn in their game.
Carl's absence weighed heavily on her mind but she did her best and made preparations to move to the Moriarty mansion.
Would Carl ever forgive her?
That thought weighed on her mind until her mother entered her room.
"I hope you've made sure all your necessary stuffs are packed " her mother said her sharp gaze scrutinizing her and she nodded .
Emilia arrived at the Moriarty estate and unlike before she knew she was here to stay , an old woman dressed in a simple knee length gown approached her with a smile when she entered the foyer .
The old woman ,Paloma smiled when she saw Emilia, she sat down with her on the couch .
Emilia noticed other family members there, some stared at her with disdain but most of them out of admiration because she was a key factor in her father's business.
"I'm glad you agreed to come before the wedding Emilia"Paloma started .
Emilia wished she could tell them how she was against the marriage but didn't dare , she just nodded and smiled.
She was showed her room which was different from that of Adrian's.
The days flee by and it was finally time for the wedding, Emilia stood in the mirror staring at her reflection of the most beautiful bride but her face lacked any warmth .
The door barged open revealing a woman with blue eyes dressed elegantly for the occasion.
"Sister in-law, I'm sorry for not arriving on time for the wedding"Cassie apologized .
Emilia saw the striking resemblance she had with Adrian and knew that she was his sister .
She hadn't seen Adrian for the past three days she lived in the Moriarty estate.
"There's no need to apologize"Emilia answered and Cassie smiled, she had heard a lot about Emilia Clarke but after meeting her in person she realized she wasn't like how the rumors say .
"I just met you but I must say , I'm glad my brother chose you as his bride instead of that bitch !" Cassie stated .
Emilia chuckled liking how easy going Cassie was .
Her mother entered not long after and Cassie excused herself .
"Hope you're ready to play the role of Adrian's wife " she pointed raising Emilia's chin with her index finger.
"Yes "Emilia answered bracing herself for her future.