Chapter 72
At that moment, Emily was now standing in a corner of the study, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her eyes quietly observing James as he paced like a lion in a cage. The air was heavy with frustration, and the only sound was the ticking of the clock mixed with James’ restless breathing.
But Emily’s mind was far from the wreckage. Her thoughts were loud, louder than James’ muttering.
"I’ll give him some time," she whispered internally. "I won’t rush. I’ll just watch... observe. If he pulls himself together, maybe just maybe there’s still something left for me here."
She lowered her eyes, her chest tightening.
"But if things get worse if he spirals down and loses everything then I’m gone. No explanations, no tears. I won’t think twice. I didn’t work this hard to get here just to suffer beside a man who doesn’t know how to protect what he has."
Her gaze shifted back to James. She had admired him once powerful, calculating, ambitious. He had seemed untouchable. That image was what pulled her in. She had played her cards carefully, rising from just his secretary to his lover. But now? That image was starting to crack. And what lay beneath was not strength, it was weakness, confusion, and desperation.
"If he could betray his own wife to be with me," Emily thought bitterly, "then what makes me think I’m any different? One day, when someone ’better’ walks in, someone smarter, prettier, more useful... I’ll be the one getting tossed aside."
That thought lingered like poison. She knew James wasn’t thinking clearly anymore. And now that he had lost the mega deal with Victors and had lost the flash drive his only solid weapon against Cora was gone... he was a shadow of the man she once idolized.
But still, she wouldn’t leave. Not yet. Not until she was sure. Not until she knew whether James was sinking completely or if he would rise and take back control.
After a long moment of silence, she finally walked closer, her voice calm but probing.