A Deal with the Devil

A Sleepless Night

Emma sat on the edge of her bed, knees pulled up to her chest, staring blankly at the moonlit window.

She hadn't slept.

She couldn't.

Her mother's words had etched themselves into her mind, looping over and over like a cruel melody.

"You'll regret this."

Emma squeezed her eyes shut, trying to drown out the echo of that voice.

But it didn't work.

It never worked.

Her phone buzzed beside her.

She glanced at it.

One new message.

Her fingers hesitated before she reached for it.

But when she saw the name, her stomach dropped.

Not her mother.

Alexander Kingston.

—

A Midnight Visit

Alexander: Open the door.

Emma frowned.

She hadn't even heard footsteps.

She glanced toward the door, heart pounding.

How long had he been standing there?

Another buzz.

Alexander: Now, Emma.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Not because she was afraid.

But because he always knew.

Knew when she was struggling.

Knew when she needed him—even when she didn't want to admit it.

Emma exhaled sharply before standing.

Barefoot, she crossed the room and pulled open the door.

And there he was.

Alexander Kingston.

Tall. Commanding. A presence that swallowed the entire space.

His suit jacket was gone.

His tie loosened.

But his expression?

As unreadable as ever.

—

The Weight of Unspoken Words

"You didn't sleep."

It wasn't a question.

Emma crossed her arms.

"And you did?"

Alexander smirked.

"Touché."

Emma leaned against the doorframe.

"Why are you here, Alexander?"

He tilted his head slightly, studying her.

"You already know."

Emma swallowed.

She did.

Of course she did.

But that didn't mean she was ready to hear it.

—

A Dangerous Proposition

Alexander stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

He never did.

Emma rolled her eyes but didn't stop him.

"You shouldn't let men into your room at this hour, sweetheart," he murmured.

Emma's lips twitched.

"And you shouldn't assume I let other men into my room."

His gaze darkened.

"Good."

The air shifted.

Emma felt it.

The weight of something unspoken.

But she wasn't ready to acknowledge it.

Not yet.

Instead, she sighed.

"You said you handled things with your lawyers."

Alexander nodded.

"If your mother tries anything—"

"I told you," Emma interrupted. "I can handle her."

Silence.

Tense.

Unyielding.

Then—

Alexander laughed.

Low. Deep. Amused.

Emma frowned.

"What's so funny?"

Alexander shook his head.

"You."

Emma scowled.

"Excuse me?"

His smirk didn't fade.

"You say you can handle her. But I see it, Emma. I see the way she still gets inside your head."

Emma clenched her fists.

"I don't need you to save me."

Alexander took a step closer.

"Maybe not."

Another step.

"But that won't stop me."

Emma's breath hitched.

—

An Unwanted Truth

Alexander stopped mere inches away.

Close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him.

Close enough that if she tilted her chin up just a little—

His lips would be right there.

Her pulse spiked.

"Tell me to leave," he murmured.

Emma parted her lips—

But nothing came out.

Alexander's gaze burned.

"You can't, can you?"

Emma swallowed.

She should.

She had every reason to push him away.

But she didn't.

And that terrified her.

—

A Line Crossed

Finally, she took a deep breath.

"I need time."

Alexander's expression didn't change.

But something in his eyes?

Shifted.

"Take all the time you want, sweetheart."

A pause.

"But in the end—"

He smirked.

"We both know how this ends."

Emma's heart pounded.

Because the worst part?

She was afraid he was right.

—

A Promise in the Dark

That night, Emma didn't sleep.

She laid awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to the sound of her own breathing.

At some point, she heard footsteps.

Soft. Slow.

She knew who it was before she even turned her head.

Alexander.

Standing by the window, looking out at the city.

She frowned.

"You're still here?"

Alexander glanced over his shoulder.

"Couldn't sleep."

Emma sighed.

"You don't have to—"

"Yes, I do."

His voice was calm.

Certain.

Emma's throat tightened.

She had spent so long fighting.

So long being alone.

But for the first time—

She wondered what it would be like to let someone stay.

To let him stay.

And maybe—

Just maybe—

She was tired of running.

—

The Ghosts of the Past

Morning came too soon.

Emma barely noticed the sunrise.

Her mind was elsewhere.

Her body exhausted.

But Alexander?

He was already working.

Seated at the small table near the window, phone in hand, brows furrowed.

Emma groaned.

"Do you ever stop?"

Alexander didn't look up.

"Do you?"

She scowled.

"That's not the point."

A smirk.

"I think it is."

Emma sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Did you even leave?"

He finally set his phone down.

"No."

Emma stilled.

"You stayed here all night?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"Wouldn't be the first time."

Emma's stomach twisted.

Because she knew what he meant.

The night she had broken down.

The night he had held her.

The night she had let herself need him—just for a moment.

She exhaled.

"Why?"

Alexander tilted his head.

"You already know why."

Emma's chest tightened.

Because she did.

But hearing it?

Feeling it?

That was something else entirely.

—

A Deal Sealed in Shadows

Alexander stood.

Walked over to her.

And this time—

He didn't stop.

Didn't leave space.

Didn't give her the chance to run.

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

Emma swallowed.

"No."

Alexander reached out.

Brushed his fingers against hers.

A silent question.

A silent promise.

"I won't let her hurt you," he said.

Emma closed her eyes.

And when she opened them—

She saw it.

The truth.

The danger.

The temptation.

She should say no.

Should walk away.

But instead—

She whispered:

"Okay."

And just like that—

She had made a deal with the devil.