The Fallout

The moment Emma saw the headline, her stomach dropped.

"Alexander Westwood's Secret Affair: Who Is the Mystery Woman?"

Below it—

A high-resolution photo of them kissing at the gala.

Emma's breath caught.

It was everywhere.

Every news site.

Every social media platform.

And in just a few short hours—

Her world had been turned upside down.

—

The Call She Dreaded

Her phone rang.

Emma didn't have to look to know who it was.

She hesitated.

Then—

She answered.

"Emma." Alexander's voice was low. Controlled.

Too controlled.

"You saw it."

Emma swallowed. "Hard to miss."

A pause.

Then—

"I'm handling it."

Emma exhaled. "And what exactly does 'handling it' mean?"

Alexander's voice darkened.

"It means no one touches you. No one comes near you. No one—"

His voice tightened.

"No one makes you regret last night."

Emma's stomach twisted.

She should be angry.

She should be telling him he had no right to interfere.

But instead—

She felt a strange, terrifying relief.

Like for the first time in her life—

She wasn't fighting alone.

—

The City's Reaction

Emma didn't leave her apartment all day.

She tried.

She made it as far as the front door.

Then—

She heard the voices outside.

The reporters.

The cameras.

The whispers of curious neighbors.

And just like that—

She was trapped.

She paced her tiny living room, frustration boiling.

This wasn't her life.

This wasn't supposed to be her life.

Then—

A knock at the door.

Emma froze.

Her pulse spiked.

She knew before she even opened it.

It was him.

—

Uninvited Guest

Alexander didn't wait for permission.

He stepped inside, his presence immediately filling the space.

Emma crossed her arms.

"You have a habit of showing up uninvited."

Alexander smirked. "And yet, you always let me in."

Emma's glare deepened.

"Cut the charm, Westwood. What do you want?"

Alexander's smile faded.

His gaze swept over her—

Taking in the tension in her shoulders, the frustration in her eyes.

"You're not okay."

Emma's jaw tightened.

"I'm fine."

"You're lying."

Emma huffed.

"Of course I'm not okay! My life just got turned into a headline!"

Alexander took a step closer.

"And I'm fixing it."

Emma scoffed. "By doing what? Controlling the media? Making a few calls? You can't just erase this, Alexander."

His expression darkened.

"You think I can't protect you?"

Emma's breath hitched.

She had pushed him.

And now—

She had his full attention.

Dangerous.

Unyielding.

Unstoppable.

—

A Deal with the Devil

Alexander moved closer.

Until they were inches apart.

Emma refused to step back.

"You don't trust me," he murmured.

Emma swallowed.

"I don't trust anyone."

Alexander studied her.

Then—

A slow, knowing smile.

"Then let me give you a reason to."

Emma's heart stumbled.

"How?"

Alexander's voice was silk and steel.

"Move in with me."

Emma blinked.

"What?"

"You can't stay here," he said simply. "It's not safe."

Emma let out a sharp laugh.

"Oh, so now you're my bodyguard?"

Alexander's expression didn't waver.

"If that's what it takes."

Emma's chest tightened.

This was insane.

Absolutely insane.

And yet—

She didn't say no.

And that?

That scared her more than anything.