Money Power 24

Emery’s POV

Just when everything finally started falling into place, the past found a way to crash through. Loud, uninvited, and ruthless.

It didn’t knock. It didn’t ask permission.

It barged in, dragging old wounds and unfinished business with it. And just like that, I found myself pulling the doors closed again, not out of fear, but self-preservation.

When Landon returned, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him the same way. Marian made everything harder.

Being around her reminded me of who I used to be in that world, nervous, cornered, invisible. I didn’t want to be caught in that trap again. I didn’t want to feel small.

The truth settled in like a bruise. Landon was still tied to them. He never hurt me directly. He barely even looked at me back then.

But his family? They knew how to destroy a person and pretend it was tradition.

“You don’t want the grapes anymore?” he asked, his voice quiet. There was something in his tone I hadn’t expected, genuine sadness.

“I don’t want them,” I replied, sharper than intended. “You can go now.”

“Did I do something wrong?” The hurt in his voice was unmistakable.

“Just… leave. Please?” I caught the flicker in his eyes, that brief moment when he looked like he was about to say something else. But he didn’t.

He nodded, turned away, and walked out. His shoulders sank like the weight had finally caught up to him.

The next morning, guilt crept in before I even had coffee. Maybe I’d been too harsh. Maybe I was pushing away someone who didn’t deserve it.

I was slipping on my jacket, ready to go clear my head, when a knock came at the door. For a second, I hoped it was Landon, that maybe he’d come back to talk. But when I opened the door, it was my neighbor, Carla, standing there with a look like she had news she couldn’t wait to share.

“Hey,” she said, casual as ever.

“Hi… what’s up?” I asked.

“Your guy had company last night. Tall, red lipstick, heels. Holding champagne like she was born with it.” She raised her eyebrows, clearly unaware of the emotional bomb she’d just dropped.

I stopped mid-step. “What?”

“Blond. Polished. Said she forgot her key. Walked right in like it was her place. Didn’t come out.”

I didn’t wait for another word. My feet were already moving. Landon’s apartment was only two blocks away, tucked behind the bookstore.

The walk felt longer than usual. Every step scraped at something raw inside me. I didn’t know what I expected to find, but I needed to see it with my own eyes.

By the time I reached his building, my pulse was thudding in my ears. I knocked once. The door opened almost immediately. Marian.

She stood in the doorway wearing a silk robe, hair curled like she’d just stepped out of a salon, holding a wine glass in one hand like she was hosting a brunch instead of wrecking someone’s life.

Her smile was slow, deliberate.

“Emery,” she said sweetly. “You’re early.”

Behind her, Landon came into view, barefoot, his expression pale and startled. He looked at her, then at me, then back again. His mouth opened, but no words came.

“What the hell is this?” I finally said, though my voice barely carried.

Marian took a step forward, her expression smug. “Now you know your place. I told you—this was just a contract.”

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I just turned and walked away.

I heard Landon call after me- “Emery, wait!” -but I didn’t stop. I didn’t turn around. What I saw was enough. It said everything.

By the time I got back to my apartment, I thought maybe I’d moved past the feeling. The door stayed open behind me, like I couldn’t bring myself to shut out the world completely.

I wanted to believe I felt nothing. But it crept in, slow and sharp. I tried to go through the motions, to rinse my mug and push the pain down.

Then the cramp hit. I doubled over, one hand gripping the counter. A sharp, tearing sensation ripped through my lower stomach. I gasped, steadying myself, but my knees gave out. The floor came fast. I clutched the edge of the sink, trembling.

When I looked down, there was blood.

Panic exploded in my chest. “No… no, please-”

I reached for my phone, but it slipped from my fingers. I tried again, but my vision spun. My body wouldn’t cooperate. My hands went to my stomach, instinctive and protective.

“Please… my baby,” I whispered, the tears finally spilling over. “Please be okay…”

Then I heard it. My name- shouted in the distance. “Emery!”

Landon’s voice cut through everything. I don’t know how he got there so fast. Maybe Carla called him.

Maybe he’d followed me, realizing something was wrong. But the next thing I knew, I was in his arms. He was carrying me out of the apartment, yelling for help.

Everything was flashing lights and loud voices. I couldn’t hold on to much, but I remember the ambulance.

I remember his hand wrapped tightly around mine. He was pale, frantic, and terrified.

“Please hold on. Please…” he kept saying. “I’m sorry. Emery, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.” I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. I was scared, but not for me.

Only for the baby.