The days that followed the wedding were a whirlwind of confusion and emotional turmoil for Emily. She had thought that marrying Roberto, though born out of necessity, would bring them closer, but instead, it felt like an emotional chasm had opened between them. It wasn't that Roberto was unkind or distant—he just wasn't there.
From the very first day as a married couple, it became evident that the space between them was not just physical but emotional. Roberto, instead of growing closer to her as they shared a life together, chose to remain submerged in his work. His grandmother's words echoed in his mind like a constant refrain, an invisible chain holding him back from drawing Emily into his world.
"Stay away from her, Roberto. It's for the best."
His grandmother had spoken those words with an air of finality that made it clear there was no room for negotiation. The old woman, sharp as ever despite her age, had insisted that Roberto keep his distance from Emily. She wanted him to keep the marriage strictly formal—a way to protect Emily and give her the security she needed, but nothing more.
And so, Roberto did as his grandmother asked. He buried himself in his work, staying at the office for hours, often late into the night. Meetings, calls, and endless paperwork became his escape from the suffocating reality of his marriage. He thought it was easier this way—keeping his distance from Emily would prevent him from making the same mistakes again, mistakes that had caused him to be tangled in a web of confusion and regret. He couldn't afford to let himself fall deeper into a relationship that had no foundation to begin with.
"Daniel, I need you to look after Emily," Roberto told his personal assistant one morning after a particularly long night. "Make sure she's taken care of while I'm at the office."
Daniel, his ever-loyal assistant, nodded without hesitation. He had always respected Roberto, even admired him. But lately, he had begun to notice the subtle changes in the CEO's demeanor—the avoidance, the coldness—and he wondered what was truly going on between Roberto and Emily. Daniel had often seen the way Roberto looked at her when he thought no one was watching—a mixture of guilt, longing, and something else, something far more complicated.
Roberto had always been a man of resolve, but even Daniel could see that this was not simply a matter of business or personal duty. There was more beneath the surface.
But Roberto had made his decision, and there was nothing Daniel could do to change that. He had his orders. He was to be the buffer between the couple, ensuring that Emily didn't feel neglected, while Roberto continued to bury himself in his work.
At the penthouse, Emily felt the absence of Roberto acutely. His decision to stay away from her, though unspoken, was clear. He didn't come home at a regular time anymore. When he did, it was only to eat and then retreat to his office. The once grand idea of being married to a billionaire now felt like a cage.
In the beginning, she had hoped that they might find common ground—that they could build something, even if it was just a friendship. But instead, she found herself alone in the vast, empty space of their home, the only sounds coming from the hum of the city far below.
She didn't know what to feel anymore—resentment, sadness, or something else entirely. She had married Roberto for security, for the safety of her unborn child, but she hadn't expected to feel so… invisible.
It wasn't just Roberto's absence that hurt—it was the fact that he had effectively delegated her care to Daniel. He had placed his assistant in charge of his own wife's well-being, as though she were a business matter to be handled, rather than a person to be loved or even understood.
Daniel, for all his attentiveness, was not her husband. He was kind, yes, but there was something almost too familiar about his kindness, something that made her uneasy. It wasn't his fault—he was just following orders—but she couldn't shake the feeling that the distance between her and Roberto was growing wider every day.
Daniel, meanwhile, was caught in a whirlwind of his own. At first, his role as Roberto's personal assistant had been straightforward. He handled the logistics of Roberto's life, made sure everything was running smoothly, and did whatever it took to keep the billionaire's life in order. He had always admired Roberto, seeing him as the epitome of success—decisive, sharp, and unwavering in his choices.
But over the last few weeks, things had changed. Daniel had begun to notice how Emily looked at Roberto—or rather, how she didn't look at him. Her eyes were distant, clouded with confusion, as though she were carrying a heavy weight that no one could see. And when she spoke, there was a hint of sadness in her voice, as though she were resigned to a life she hadn't chosen.
At first, Daniel had dismissed it as nothing more than the typical growing pains of a new marriage. But as the days passed, he couldn't deny the growing sense of admiration—and something more—that was stirring inside him whenever he was around her.
It wasn't just pity or sympathy; it was an undeniable pull. Emily was kind, graceful, and strong in ways he hadn't expected. Her beauty wasn't just physical—it was in the way she carried herself, in the quiet resilience that radiated from her even when she thought no one was looking. Daniel found himself wanting to protect her, wanting to be the one to make her feel seen, heard, and valued.
But he knew it wasn't his place. She was Roberto's wife, and Daniel had no right to interfere. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if Roberto truly understood what he was pushing away.
One evening, as Roberto's absence stretched into yet another long night, Daniel found himself sitting across from Emily in the living room. She had been quiet for most of the evening, staring out at the city lights through the large windows, lost in thought.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something," Daniel said, breaking the silence.
Emily turned to face him, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "What is it?"
"I don't think this distance between you and Roberto is good for either of you," Daniel said gently. "You shouldn't have to carry all this alone. He should be here, not buried in his work."
Emily met his gaze, her expression softening for the first time in days. "I don't know what's going on, Daniel. I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"You deserve more than this," Daniel replied earnestly, his voice low. "You deserve to be loved, not treated like an afterthought. And you shouldn't have to fight for your place in your marriage".
Emily knew Daniel loves her, but paid no attention to it because of fear of Margaret. She had planned within herself to elope with Daniel and the child.
Will history repeat itself?