Emma gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as she sped down the winding road back to the motel. Her heart raced, pounding against her ribs like a war drum. Alexander's voice from behind his door kept replaying in her head.
"Make her disappear. Permanently."
The weight of those words pressed down on her chest, threatening to suffocate her. Who had he been speaking to? And why would he say something so cruel?
The answers seemed to lie with the mysterious Adrian Blackwood. As much as Emma hated to admit it, he was the only one offering her a lifeline—twisted as it might be.
***
The Debt's Origin
Back in the motel room, Emma found Adrian waiting for her, seated in the same chair as the night before. His composed demeanor was both infuriating and oddly reassuring.
"You're late," he said casually, sipping from a cup of coffee. "I was starting to think you'd made up your mind."
Emma slammed the door behind her, her frustration spilling over. "I need answers, Adrian. Now. Why did Alexander leave me? What kind of mess has he dragged me into?"
Adrian set the cup down, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. "I told you—Alexander owes me. A substantial amount, to be exact."
Emma crossed her arms. "Money? This is all about money?"
Adrian chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "If only it were that simple. Alexander's debt goes far beyond currency. It's tied to business deals, betrayals, and more importantly—power."
Emma blinked, trying to piece his words together. "Power? What does that even mean?"
Adrian stood, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "Alexander made promises he couldn't keep. He played with fire, and now it's burning down everything in its path. Including you."
Emma's throat tightened. She sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind spinning. "What does this have to do with me?"
Adrian crouched in front of her, his gaze softening just enough to make her uneasy. "You're collateral, Emma. Alexander used you to sweeten a deal. He thought marrying you would protect him from me, but when he realized it wouldn't, he ran."
Her stomach churned. "That doesn't make any sense. Why would he—"
"Because of your father," Adrian interrupted, his voice low and deliberate.
Emma froze. "My father? He died years ago. What does he have to do with this?"
Adrian leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Your father wasn't just a small-town businessman, Emma. He was part of something much bigger. Something dangerous. And Alexander thought marrying you would grant him access to that legacy."
The room spun as the weight of Adrian's words settled over her. Her father's death had always seemed sudden, unexplained. Could it be connected to the chaos she was now entangled in?
***
Emma stared at Adrian, her chest heaving with a mix of fear and anger. "Why are you telling me this? What do you really want from me?"
Adrian stood and paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "Because, Emma, you're not just a victim in all of this. You're a key player. Whether you realize it or not, you have the power to turn this entire situation around."
She shook her head. "No. I'm just a woman who got stood up at the altar. I don't want any part of this."
Adrian stopped and turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "You don't have a choice. Alexander may have abandoned you, but his enemies won't. They'll come after you, thinking you know more than you do. And when they do, you'll wish you had my protection."
Emma felt a shiver run down her spine. "And what does your 'protection' cost?"
Adrian smirked, the intensity in his eyes returning. "Your hand in marriage. Just as the note said."
She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "You're insane. I barely know you."
"True," Adrian admitted, stepping closer. "But I know you, Emma. I know you're stronger than you think. I know you want to survive. And I know you want answers about your father, Alexander, and everything else."
Her breath hitched. The room felt too small, too suffocating.
***
A Pivotal decision
Adrian placed a hand on the table, leaning in. "You have 48 hours to decide, Emma. Marry me, and I'll protect you. I'll give you access to the truth you're seeking. Refuse, and you'll be left to fend for yourself in a world you don't understand."
Emma swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. Could she really trust Adrian? Or was he just another man using her for his own gain?
As if sensing her hesitation, Adrian added, "Think about this: if you marry me, you'll have the resources and power to uncover the truth about your father's death. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Her mind flashed back to the hushed conversations she'd overheard as a child, the veiled looks her mother gave whenever her father's name was mentioned. The mystery of his death had haunted her for years.
"I need time," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Adrian nodded. "Time is a luxury you don't have, but I'll give you 48 hours. After that, the choice is no longer yours."
He moved toward the door but paused before leaving. "One more thing, Emma. Be careful who you trust. Not everyone is who they seem."
With that, he was gone, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts and the weight of her impending decision.
***
As the door clicked shut, Emma's phone buzzed on the bedside table. She picked it up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message:
"Meet me at the pier tonight. There's something you need to know."
There was no name, only a location and a time. Emma's pulse quickened. Was it a trap? Or was it her chance to finally get some answers?
She stared at the phone, torn between fear and determination. Whatever awaited her at the pier, it would bring her one step closer to the truth—or one step closer to danger.
As she gathered her coat and keys, a single thought echoed in her mind:
Who could she trust in a world where everyone seemed to have their own agenda?