Chapter 5 Now He Wanted This

Emma lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly as she avoided Ricky's gaze.

The suddenness of it all left her reeling.

Irene's desire for a great-grandchild meant their stagnant relationship would need to take an unexpected turn.

For two years, Ricky had kept his distance, and now, out of nowhere, he wanted this?

Emma's cheeks burned with embarrassment, her body stiffening as she stood there, unsure of how to respond.

"Turn around and lie down," Ricky ordered, his tone cold and emotionless.

Emma's fingers trembled as she lifted her gaze, her disbelief clear in the way her eyes locked onto his dark, unyielding stare. Before she could voice her shock, Ricky's voice came again, laced with disdain. "What? Did you think I'd want to see your face? That would ruin whatever interest I might have."

A wave of anger and hurt surged through Emma.

"Ricky, you-"

Her protest was cut short as Ricky's hands gripped her shoulders, spinning her around with force. With a harsh shove, she collapsed onto the bed, her breath catching.

Before she could process what was happening, Ricky's weight pressed down on her, leaving her stunned.

The next morning, gray clouds loomed over the horizon.

A steady drizzle tapped against the windows, filling the room with a somber stillness.

Emma woke slowly, her eyes fixed on the blank ceiling above. The space beside her was cold and empty. Ricky had left without a trace.

Her body ached, a deep soreness settling into her bones, making her feel as though she'd been shattered and pieced back together.

Last night, Ricky had unleashed his pent-up frustrations on her with a cruelty that left her aching with every movement.

Emma stayed in bed until hunger forced her to move. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom, supporting herself against the wall.

Her body was a canvas of bruises, each mark a painful reminder of Ricky's roughness. The hickeys on her neck were glaring, so she chose a silk scarf to hide them.

The irony wasn't lost on her-he hadn't kissed her lips even once throughout the night.

After freshening up, Emma headed downstairs to join Irene for lunch. During the meal, her phone buzzed with a call from her agent, Lindsay Morley, who was clearly out of patience. "Arrive at the company within an hour," Lindsay demanded sharply.

After finishing lunch, Emma asked Harold to arrange a car to take her to the company.

She was signed with Starlight Entertainment, a mid-tier agency with decent resources and minimal restrictions, which suited her career needs.

Emma arrived just as Lindsay had instructed, only to be greeted with a reprimand from her. Lindsay huffed before handing Emma the script for a fantasy drama.

"This is your shot-a supporting role alongside Brody Curtis, an award-winning actor. Don't blow it."

Emma glanced at the script, her curiosity piqued. She spent over an hour skimming through it, finding the storyline surprisingly compelling.

"This one is popular. If you miss this, don't expect another chance," Lindsay said.

Emma hesitated briefly but finally nodded.

"The Jenner Group is backing this project. Big budget, huge visibility. You have to grab this opportunity," Lindsay added emphatically.

At the mention of "Jenner Group", Emma's focus wavered, the rest of Lindsay's words blurring into the background.

It was unusual for Jenner Group to invest in the film industry, but every project they touched seemed to turn to gold.

By the time Emma left the company, the clock read three in the afternoon.

Back at Jenner Mansion, she threw herself into studying the script, memorizing her lines diligently.

For the next week, Ricky remained conspicuously absent, conveniently away on a business trip. Emma, meanwhile, was consumed by her own hectic schedule-photo shoots, promotional campaigns, and interviews that left her exhausted by the end of each day.

One day, she received word that she needed to join the film crew. Without delay, she packed her bags and left Ecatin for Kribert the very same day.

The filming location was set in a bustling film site in Kribert, and the production team had arranged accommodations nearby. Emma's assigned room reflected her moderate fame from her three-year career-a simple, functional space far from the opulent suites reserved for the lead actors.

She didn't mind. As long as she had a clean bed and a shower, it was enough.

By two in the afternoon, the crew and key actors gathered for the kick-off ceremony. The event was lively, filled with photo ops and media interviews, making for a whirlwind half-day of formalities.

By evening, Emma retreated to her hotel room, eager to immerse herself in studying her role.

Her character was complex, beginning as an innocent and kind-hearted woman whose unrelenting love transformed her into the story's main antagonist. It was a layered role, demanding a level of depth and skill that Emma was both nervous and excited to explore.

As she flipped through her script, her assistant, Kate Clayton, entered to relay a message. "The crew is gathering for dinner tonight," she said, glancing at the time.

Before Emma could respond, a sudden knock at the door interrupted them. Kate went to open it, and the moment she saw who was standing outside, she let out a delighted squeal, her hands flying to cover her face in shock.