A Deal with the Devil

Unforgiving Silence

The next morning, Emma woke up to an empty bed.

Again.

She stared at the ceiling, frustration tightening in her chest.

Alexander had been distant since she told him about Victoria.

Colder.

More calculating.

And she hated it.

She knew something was coming.

She just didn't know what.

—

A Call That Changed Everything

Emma was in the kitchen, making herself tea, when her phone rang.

Unknown number.

She hesitated, then answered.

"Hello?"

A familiar voice purred through the line.

"Morning, sweetheart."

Emma's blood ran cold.

"Victoria."

Victoria chuckled.

"Glad to know you remember me."

Emma's grip tightened on the phone.

"What do you want?"

Victoria sighed.

"Relax. I just wanted to have a little chat."

Emma didn't trust her.

Not for a second.

But she stayed on the line.

Because something told her—

This wasn't a call she could ignore.

—

The Devil's Offer

"You're an interesting girl," Victoria mused.

Emma stayed silent.

"You've managed to keep Alexander's attention for longer than I expected."

Emma's jaw tightened.

"He's not a game, Victoria."

Victoria laughed.

"Oh, sweetheart. Everything is a game."

Emma's pulse pounded.

"Get to the point."

Victoria hummed.

"Fine. I'll make this simple."

Then—

"Leave Alexander."

Emma's breath hitched.

"Excuse me?"

Victoria's voice turned sharp.

"You heard me. Walk away now, and I'll make sure you don't regret it."

Emma's stomach twisted.

"You think you can buy me off?"

Victoria smirked.

"Everyone has a price."

Emma swallowed.

"Not me."

Victoria sighed.

"Pity. I was hoping you'd be smarter than this."

Emma's chest tightened.

"What does that mean?"

Victoria paused.

Then she whispered—

"Walk away, sweetheart. Before it's too late."

And the line went dead.

—

A Dangerous Revelation

Emma barely had time to process the call before the front door slammed open.

She jumped.

Alexander stood there, eyes dark.

Furious.

"Who was that?"

Emma's heart pounded.

"How did you—"

Alexander stepped closer.

"Who. Was. That?"

Emma swallowed.

She didn't want to lie.

But she knew the truth would make things worse.

Still—

"It was Victoria."

Alexander's expression hardened.

"What did she say?"

Emma hesitated.

Then—

"She told me to leave you."

Silence.

A thick, suffocating silence.

Then—

Alexander smirked.

Cold. Sharp.

"Did she?"

Emma's stomach twisted.

"Alexander—"

But he was already pulling out his phone.

Dialing a number.

Emma grabbed his wrist.

"Wait!"

Alexander's gaze snapped to hers.

His blue eyes burned.

"She threatened you."

Emma shook her head.

"She tried to scare me."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

"That's the same thing."

Emma exhaled.

"You can't just—"

But before she could finish, he was already speaking into the phone.

"Find her."

Emma's breath caught.

And in that moment, she realized—

Victoria had just made the worst mistake of her life.

—

A Plan in Motion

Alexander left soon after, giving no explanation.

No promises.

No reassurances.

Just a single command.

"Stay here."

But Emma couldn't.

Not when she knew things were spiraling out of control.

So she did something reckless.

Something stupid.

She followed him.

—

A Meeting in the Shadows

Emma kept her distance as she trailed Alexander's car through the city.

He drove with purpose.

With intent.

And she had a horrible feeling she knew exactly where he was going.

She was right.

Alexander's car pulled into a private club.

Exclusive.

Dangerous.

Emma hesitated.

She knew this place.

It wasn't just for business.

It was where deals were made.

Deals that didn't always end well.

Her stomach twisted.

But she went inside anyway.

—

A Confrontation Like No Other

The moment she stepped in, she froze.

Victoria was already there.

Sitting in a private booth.

Waiting.

And across from her—

Was Alexander.

Emma's pulse spiked.

She moved closer, staying hidden.

Listening.

Victoria smirked.

"You really are predictable, Alexander."

Alexander leaned back.

"You should have left her alone."

Victoria sighed.

"Can we skip the threats? We both know you won't hurt me."

Alexander smiled.

But it wasn't kind.

"Who said anything about hurting you?"

Victoria stilled.

Emma held her breath.

Alexander's voice dropped.

"I could ruin you, Victoria."

Victoria frowned.

"You wouldn't—"

"I would."

Silence.

Then—

Alexander smirked.

"You forget who I am."

Victoria's fingers tightened around her glass.

Emma saw it.

The moment fear crept in.

And then—

Victoria sighed.

"You really love her, don't you?"

Alexander's gaze didn't waver.

"More than anything."

Emma's breath hitched.

Victoria scoffed.

"Fine."

She set down her drink.

"I'll back off."

Alexander's eyes narrowed.

"You expect me to believe that?"

Victoria smiled.

"It doesn't matter what you believe."

Then she stood.

Paused.

And turned to leave.

But before she did—

She looked straight at Emma's hiding spot.

And smirked.

Emma's stomach dropped.

She knew.

She had known the whole time.

And she let Emma hear every word.

—

The Price of Victory

Later that night, Alexander pulled Emma onto his lap.

"You followed me."

It wasn't a question.

Emma sighed.

"Yes."

Alexander's fingers traced her wrist.

"That was reckless."

Emma met his gaze.

"So was threatening her."

Alexander smirked.

"It worked."

Emma exhaled.

"She's not done, Alexander."

Alexander's eyes darkened.

"She is."

Emma bit her lip.

"How can you be so sure?"

Alexander smiled.

"Because I made her an offer she couldn't refuse."

Emma shivered.

"Which was?"

Alexander brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Something worse than losing me."

Emma swallowed.

And in that moment, she realized—

Victoria may have walked away.

But Alexander had already won.