The next morning, Adrian sat at the head of the meeting table, his expression cold and distant. Emily entered the room in a simple white blouse and black pencil skirt, looking professional yet stunning as always.
"Mr. Knight," she said calmly, placing a file on the table. "I believe this proposal will interest you."
Adrian didn't even glance at it.
"I didn't call you here to discuss business, Ms. Harper."
Emily raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
"Then what are we discussing, Mr. Knight?"
He leaned forward, his eyes sharp as a hawk.
"Why did you come back, Emily?"
Her smile faded, but she didn't look away.
"I don't owe you an explanation, Adrian."
He felt his patience snap.
"You disappeared for five years without a word. You think you can walk in here like nothing happened?"
"Yes," she replied coolly. "Because nothing did."
Her words cut deeper than a knife. But she didn't stop.
"I'm here for work, Mr. Knight. I'm here to prove that I'm the best at what I do. My personal life has nothing to do with this company," she said, her voice steady.
"Don't fool yourself, Emily," Adrian's voice was low, like thunder before a storm. "You think I'll let you walk around like a ghost from my past? You should have stayed gone."
Emily leaned forward, eyes blazing with defiance.
"I didn't have a choice, Adrian."
Those words hung in the air like a bomb about to explode.
"Then tell me," he demanded, his fists clenched.
Her eyes softened for just a moment, and for a second, he saw the old Emily.
But she shook her head.
"Some secrets are better left buried."
She turned on her heel and left, her heels echoing in the silent room. Adrian stared at the spot where she had stood, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Secrets, huh?" he muttered. "Not if I find them first, Emily."