CHAPTER 5

As I watched Julian walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and wonder. Who was this mysterious stranger, and why did he have such a profound effect on me?

I took a deep breath and stepped inside my apartment, trying to shake off the feeling of being swept off my feet.

As I changed into comfortable clothes and settled onto the couch, my phone buzzed with a text from Rachel.

"Hey girl, how was the rest of your night?" she asked.

I smiled, feeling a little giddy. "It was amazing," I replied. "I think I might be in trouble."

Rachel's response was immediate. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

I laughed, feeling a little silly. "The kind that involves a handsome stranger and a kiss that left me breathless."

There was a pause before Rachel responded. "Spill the tea, girl."

I laughed, feeling grateful for my friend's enthusiasm. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow," I promised.

As I settled in for the night, my mind racing with thoughts of Julian, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. I groggily reached over to answer it, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Hello?" I said my voice husky from sleep.

"Alex, we need to talk," Emma said, her voice cold and detached.

I felt a surge of anxiety, wondering what Emma wanted now. We hadn't spoken since the whole debacle with Jack, and I wasn't sure I was ready to talk to her.

"What is it, Emma?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"I'll be at your apartment in an hour," Emma said. "Be ready."

And with that, she hung up.

I was left staring at my phone, feeling a sense of unease. What did Emma want? And why did she sound so sinister?

I got out of bed and began getting ready for the day, my mind racing with possibilities.

I finished getting ready and made myself a cup of coffee, trying to calm my nerves. I had no idea what Emma wanted, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to be good.

As I waited for Emma to arrive, I couldn't help but think about the past. About how Emma had always been the favored child, the one who got away with everything. About how she had manipulated and used me, time and time again. How I'm always the one getting punished for every sin she committed.

The doorbell rang, breaking me out of my reverie. I took a deep breath and made my way to the door, steeling myself for what was to come.

I opened the door to find Emma standing on my porch, looking every inch the confident and poised woman she was. Her eyes narrowed as she took in my appearance, and I could sense her disapproval.

"Alex," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Thanks for seeing me."

I stepped aside, allowing her to enter. "What do you want, Emma?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Emma smiled a cold and calculating smile. "I want to talk about Jack," she said.

My heart sank, and I felt a surge of anger. What could she possibly want to say about Jack?

"Go on," I said, trying to keep my cool.

Emma settled onto the couch, looking like she owned the place. "I know you're still hurting, Alex," she said. "But I want you to know that Jack and I are happy. We're in love, and we're getting married."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I knew that Emma and Jack were together, but hearing her say it out loud was like rubbing salt in the wound.

"What do you want from me, Emma?" I asked, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Emma's smile grew wider. "I want you to attend our wedding," she said.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did Emma really expect me to attend her wedding to Jack?

"You've got to be kidding me," I said, my anger boiling over.

Emma's expression turned cold. "I'm not kidding, Alex," she said. "I want you to be there. And I'll make sure you are."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. What did Emma mean by that? Was she threatening me?

I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest. "Get out," I said, my voice shaking with anger.

Emma smiled again, but this time there was a hint of malice in her eyes. "I'll leave," she said. "But this isn't over, Alex. Not by a long shot."

I stood tall, my voice steady as I confronted Emma. No, she can't leave just like that without me saying anything. "How can you even ask me to attend your wedding to Jack, after everything you've done?" I asked, my words laced with hurt and betrayal when she was about to leave.

Emma's expression remained smug, but I saw a flicker of guilt in her eyes. "I didn't think you'd still be hung up on Jack," she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

I took a deep breath, my emotions simmering just below the surface. "You have no idea how I feel, Emma. You never have. But what I do know is that you've consistently prioritized your own desires over everyone else's feelings. And now, you're expecting me to celebrate your happiness with Jack?"

My voice cracked, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "I won't do it, Emma. I won't pretend that everything is okay when it's not."

Emma's smirk faltered, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the sister I once knew. But it was quickly replaced by her usual self-assurance.

"Fine, Alex," she said. "Don't come to the wedding. See if I care."

I felt a sting from her words, but I stood my ground. "I'm not going to engage in a war of words with you, Emma. But I will say this, if you think that I'll just forget about what you've done and move on, you're sadly mistaken."

Emma's eyes flashed with anger, but I continued my voice firm. "I deserve better than to be treated like this, Emma. And I won't let you or anyone else make me feel otherwise."

The air was thick with tension as Emma turned and walked away, leaving me feeling shaken but resolute.

As Emma walked away, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was angry, hurt, and frustrated, but also relieved that the confrontation was over.

I took a deep breath and stepped back into my apartment, closing the door behind me. I leaned against the door, trying to process everything that had just happened.

As I stood there, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me. I realized that I had been holding onto my anger and hurt for too long and that it was time to let go.

I pushed myself away from the door and walked over to the window, looking out at the city below. I felt a sense of peace settle over me, and I knew that I was going to be okay.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Rachel. "Hey girl, how's it going?" she asked.

I smiled, feeling grateful for my friend's support. "It's been a crazy morning," I replied. "But I think I'm finally starting to feel better."

Rachel responded immediately. "I'm so glad to hear that! Do you want to grab a coffee and talk about it?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah, that sounds amazing. Thanks, Rach."

We made plans to meet up later that day, and I spent the rest of the morning getting ready and preparing myself for the conversation ahead.

As I was getting ready to leave, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was Julian. "Hey, beautiful," he said. "I was thinking about you and wanted to see how you're doing."

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I'm doing okay," I replied. "Just dealing with some family drama."

Julian's response was immediate. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you want to talk about it? I'm all ears."

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should open up to Julian about my family issues. But something about his kind and supportive tone put me at ease.

"Maybe later," I replied. "But thanks for offering. You're really sweet."

Julian's response made me blush. "I'm just being honest," he said. "You deserve all the sweetness in the world."

I smiled, feeling a sense of happiness that I hadn't felt in a long time.