"Emma… is everything alright?" Cole asked as he opened the door to Emma's room. His expression shifted instantly when his eyes landed on Leon inside. "And what are you doing here?"
Leon casually scratched his eyebrow, an unnecessary gesture that only added to the tension. "I'm here to pick up my future wife," he replied with a smile that was far from genuine. "Today is our wedding dress fitting day, brother-in-law."
Cole's face twisted in distaste as he dramatically covered his ears. "Ugh, don't call me that," he said, clearly repulsed. "It's bad enough that you're here without throwing that in my face."
Seeing the confusion in Emma's eyes, Leon suddenly spoke up, his tone light but calculated. "Oh, we're best friends, in case you didn't know."
Cole immediately pushed Leon back, his expression hardening. "Once… Leon. Not anymore," he said firmly, his sharp glare locking on Leon.
"Ah, come on, please," Leon said dramatically, gesturing with exaggerated frustration. "We're going to be family soon. Don't you think it's time to let bygones be bygones?"
Cole leaned in closer, his voice low and biting. "Do you really think something that big can just be swept under the rug because you're marrying my—" He paused deliberately. "Sister?"
Leon's smirk deepened, subtle but provoking. "Oh no? I thought that since you didn't argue about this marriage, you'd already made peace with the past."
The tension in the room thickened as Leon's words hung in the air, making the atmosphere heavy with unspoken history and unresolved anger. Emma stood in the middle, caught between the two men arguing, without understanding the context of their argument.
Cole's glare sharpened, but there was a flicker of guilt in his eyes as he glanced briefly at Emma, who stood silently, her confusion evident. Turning his attention back to Leon, he leaned in, his voice low and sharp, "You know why we agreed to this…"
Leon shrugged casually, but his eyes turned serious as he whispered back, "And it doesn't change the fact that this family is using her for your benefit."
Cole impulsively reached for Leon's collar, but Leon was faster. "I'm trying not to create a scene here, Cole Whitmore," he said, his voice colder, "and for the sake of the past of our friendship, I'm holding onto this secret. But don't test me." His words sounded more like a threat than a warning.
He leaned back, the intensity dissipating as his expression shifted into a pleasant smile. "Emma," he called, his tone now light and cheerful, masking the undercurrent of their exchange. "It's going to be late, we should be going."
Emma frowned, her gaze darting between the two men. "What were you two whispering about? I heard something about secrets. What secret?" she demanded, suspicion tingling her voice.
"Ah, nothing much," Leon said with a casual smile, though his eyes glinted with something deeper. "He insists I go with white for the tuxedo, but you know me—I prefer black. It's more… honest, don't you think?"
Emma blinked, her frown deepening at the odd phrasing, but before she could question him, Leon straightened and extended a hand toward her. "Shall we? I have something important to discuss with you on the way, so maybe just this once, you can give in?"
There was something in Leon's eyes—an unspoken challenge, or perhaps a promise—that made her hesitate before finally reaching for his extended hand. "Okay…" she said softly, the word carrying more weight than she intended.
She turned slightly toward Cole, opening her mouth as if to say something. "I will…" The words faltered, and she frowned, feeling awkward. 'What are you even trying to say, Emma? That you'll be back soon?' She scolded herself silently, then shook her head. "Never mind. I'll go out with him," she finished, her voice more resolute, though a flicker of uncertainty lingered.
"Tell me if you want anything for your wedding. We'll do anything for you," Cole said, his voice gentle but firm, full of sincerity.
Emma paused mid-step, caught off guard by the weight of his words.
Leon noticed her hesitation and leaned in slightly, his expression unreadable. Their eyes met, and his lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "See? I told you. They'd do anything for you," he whispered, his tone calm but oddly persuasive, almost like a quiet dare.
Emma turned back toward Cole, her expression softening as a mix of emotions flitted across her face. "Anything?" she repeated, her voice low, as if testing the truth behind his promise.
Cole's expression brightened as Emma replied to his words. "Yes, is there anything you want?"
She gazed at him blankly, her face expressionless as she thought carefully.
"Why rush? Take your time, we'll do anything to make sure everything you want is taken care of," Cole said gently as he walked past her and caressed her hair. "Enjoy your time outside. Don't forget your phone and wallet, just in case there's an emergency," he added, rolling his eyes sarcastically at Leon.
"He doesn't need her wallet when I'm with her," Leon raised an eyebrow.
"You really said 'anything,' right?" Emma suddenly repeated the question, now asking more specifically to give herself time to clear the hesitation in her mind. "Anything..." she gazed down.
Cole paused, his expression shifting to concern. "Is something wrong? You look troubled." He touched her forehead, only to feel that her body temperature was normal. "Your fever has subsided."
"There's something I really want right now…" Emma's words hung in the air, causing an abrupt silence.
Leon continued to watch her, curious to see if he could read what was going on in her mind. "Are you really going to ask him that?"
Releasing the hand Leon had been holding, Emma faced Cole, her expression determined. "I want this wedding to stop. This is not what I want."
Her words sent a chill through the room. For Leon, it was a demand he hadn't expected. For Cole, it was an impossible request to even consider.