Chapter 5 Your wife

After leaving Mr. Davis's building, Emily felt as horrible as possible. It was clear that she never imagined everything would come crashing down on her, due to her overconfidence and naivety. Now, she was not only back to being unemployed, but also, because of her, Liam might be in trouble.

Upon arriving home, Emily found several billing statements from the bank, not to mention that they were already sending them to collections due to the delay. Emily headed to where her grandparents were sitting and listening to some music.

"My girl, how did it go?" asked the older woman.

"Good, you don't have to worry," Emily said with a forced smile.

"Your eyes look sad. I want you to know that if you need to send us to a nursing home, you can do it. The only thing that matters is that you can be okay. We don't want to burden you," her grandmother said. Emily crinkled her nose and shook her head.

"Don't think that just keep listening to that lovely song. I'm going to cook something," Emily said.

Emily kissed them, then stood up and went to the kitchen, silently shedding a few tears.

Emily had to think not only about finding money for the bank payments but also for food; there was less and less of it. Amid her lamenting, someone knocked on the door, and the first thing she assumed was that it was her friend.

Emily walked over, but upon opening the door, she was frozen by the sight of the person in front of her. There stood that dominant, cold, and handsome man who had only been her boss for a day; what immediately came to Emily's mind was nothing good.

"Good evening, Emily. I need to talk to you; it's quite a personal matter, which is why I decided to come at this time of night," he said.

The first thought in her head was that something terrible had happened to Liam.

"Is it about Liam? He still hasn't shown up? I'm willing to take full responsibility. I'm so sorry that your son has gone missing because of me; I accept everything you've said to me in the office," she spoke, with a huge knot in her throat.

"He is fine and at home. The reason I'm here is because..." he said, pausing.

Noah diverted his gaze from one place to another to check that no one was listening.

"If you'd like, you can continue. It's not a very luxurious house, but you can speak freely here," she said with concern.

"I'd prefer if it were somewhere else," he said arrogantly.

"In my room... we can talk there," she suggested, and he sighed.

"Alright," he replied, knowing he had no other choice.

"Please, follow me," Emily said, as Noah's disdainful look was evident.

They entered the room; he stood by the door while she sat at the edge of the bed.

"My son is quite a difficult child, and the only person he has developed any empathy with is you. It hasn't been easy for him since his mother left home," he confesses, leaning his back against the wall as he speaks.

"I understand. That's why what happened with Liam hurts me so much," she says.

"What you're about to hear from me isn't easy, but I'm doing it solely for my son. I need you to be my wife, and we need to get married as soon as possible. Everything will be stipulated in a written contract between us, and I don't need to say that confidentiality will be of the utmost importance," he says quickly, and she can only widen her eyes in shock.

Emily was completely taken aback by this request; he spoke as if it were completely normal what he had just said.

"No, I won't do it. I have other plans for my life, not to mention that my grandparents depend on me," she responds firmly.

Hearing that response brings Noah's bad temper back. No one has ever rejected him so swiftly.

"I'll give you the money you ask for, anything for you to agree to my request. I have no other way out, especially since the boy feels good around you. That's why I thought you might be the one," he says with irony.

Even though Emily was completely desperate due to her lack of money, she could not accept this kind of offer; it wasn't ethical.

"The only thing I'll accept from you is the job of a nanny, nothing more if you want me to be close to Liam," she said.

Noah took a few steps closer to her.

"Where you agree to my terms, I can solve your financial issues with the bank. I can recognize a debt from a distance, remember that I researched your life before hiring you. Besides, you wouldn't lack anything; you would have all the money you need," he said.

Emily swallowed hard and lowered her gaze to the bills that were past due.

"I can't leave my grandparents alone; they depend on me," she said.

"I'll hire a daytime nurse and another for the night where you agree; they won't lack anything. Starting tomorrow, you will move into my house, act as my wife, and we will get married as soon as possible," he spoke firmly, shoving his hands into his pockets to emphasize his authority.

"I already told you no," she replied.

"Don't make me wait, because I assure you I'm not going to do it. Just think about that pair of elderly people; they need to live better, don't you think?" he questioned.

Emily nodded her head. It was true; her grandparents deserved the best, and for them, she could make sacrifices.

"I still can't give you an answer," she confessed.

"That's fine; I'll let you think about it tonight. Tomorrow morning, my driver will be waiting for you outside. I'll be expecting your answer in my office," he said, not giving her a chance to react.

Noah left, hoping that she would agree because otherwise, he would have to find someone else who his son would like.

Emily put her head in her hands; she could consider it a permanent job, at least for a while, while she could have a better quality of life.

The night dragged on, more for her than for him. Just as Noah had said, the driver arrived very early with a couple of nurses. She looked and couldn't help but feel both committed and excited at the same time about the care her grandparents would receive from those women. Emily arrived back at the office, feeling the stares due to what had happened the previous day.

Noah was waiting for her. He had asked Lucas to have everything ready; the most important thing was the signed divorce. Time had passed, and he was still tied to that woman; in addition, he needed to do things right. Emily entered his office, making him break into a suggestive smile because it was obvious that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

"I hope you've thought things through. Let me just say that you need to give me your answer today; at this moment, you can change your miserable life for a very good one. You won't have to worry about money or anything material; everything will be at your disposal.

"I have no choice but to accept, it seems," she said.

And to tell the truth, Emily had no other option; many times, we must put the happiness of others above our own.

"Good. From now on, you will act as my partner, in front of others as the most in-love woman, not to mention that you must show affection and attention to Liam," he said, satisfied.

"Perfect, Mr. Davis," she replied formally.

"From now on, you should call me Noah or my love, whichever you prefer. I don't care about those false titles you want to use. I'll give you the contract, and you will read it; I must say that everything is confidential," he stated.

Emily just nodded her head in agreement with every word he said.

Noah raised his face and saw that Isabel had arrived at the office; she was trying to find a way to enter, but his secretary wouldn't let her in. He took advantage of the fact that she was looking out the window; it was time to start the show.

"It's time to begin our arrangement; don't misunderstand what I'm about to do. I want to make it clear that I'm not interested in you as a woman, but we need to start with the agreement we just made," he said.

Emily didn't understand what he meant until she felt Noah's breath very close to her face.

He leaned closer to Emily, leaving her bewildered, then brought his mouth to hers, kissing her intensely. After a few seconds, she felt her body temperature rising. Emily immediately pulled away, confused; Noah's gaze was cold, and Isabel's presence had affected him profoundly.