Chapter 7 Lines Crossed

Emery was still furious when she finally collapsed into bed.

Elena's words echoed in her ears:

"We'll see how long that lasts."

She hated how calm she had looked. How deliberate.

She's a guest, Emery reminded herself. Not his wife. Not his boss. Just a vulture in a red dress.

Still, the warning had rattled her. It wasn't just what Elena said-it was how she said it. Like she already had the keys to the mansion and was waiting for someone else to be locked out.

Emery stared at the ceiling until her body gave up and pulled her into sleep.

The morning came early.

Too early.

But Emery was up before the staff, tugging on an oversized sweater and heading for the kitchen. The early chill in the halls couldn't shake the comfort of what she had planned.

Cookies.

Leo needed a win. And she needed a reset.

By the time the sun crept up behind the mansion, the kitchen smelled like vanilla and warm butter. Emery moved through the space with quiet precision, humming a soft tune as she spooned dollops of dough onto a tray.

Leo shuffled in just as she was sliding the second batch into the oven.

He rubbed his eyes sleepily and blinked at her. "Is it... cookie day?"

"It is now," Emery said with a grin. "Surprise."

A small smile curled on Leo's lips. He sat at the counter, still in pajamas, and watched her drizzle melted chocolate over the cooling batch.

"You okay?" she asked.

He nodded, then paused. "Elena's still here."

"Yeah," Emery muttered. "I noticed."

"I don't like her."

Emery smirked. "That makes two of us."

After Leo left for school, Emery tried to shake the nerves.

She cleaned the kitchen, did laundry, and watered the plants in her quarters. She even brushed Pancake Bear's matted ears.

But her focus kept slipping.

She stared at her phone more than once, reading Lucas's last message:

Can't wait to see you tonight. You're still okay with dinner, right?

She was. She really was.

By four o'clock, she had changed twice and finally settled on a soft green dress that made her feel human again. She kept her makeup light. Pulled her hair back simply. Nothing flashy.

She wasn't trying to impress him.

She was trying to remember who she was before all this.

At 3:10, Leo came home.

She greeted him at the door with a cookie in hand, and he gave her a small, sleepy smile before plopping on the couch.

They played a puzzle game for a bit. She asked about school. He asked about pancakes. Everything felt... normal.

But she didn't mention the dinner.

She couldn't.

She wasn't even sure why.

At 4:45, Leo curled up on the couch with a book and Pancake Bear and drifted into a nap.

Her phone buzzed again.

LUCAS:

On my way. See you in 10.

Emery slipped out quietly, heels in one hand, purse slung over her shoulder.

As she walked past the staircase, Elena's voice drifted down from above.

"Big night?"

Emery didn't stop. "Don't wait up."

Lucas's car was parked just outside the gate.

He stepped out, smiling, and opened the door for her. "You look incredible."

"You look like a man who's not surrounded by marble walls and passive-aggressive security staff."

He laughed. "I take that as a compliment."

They drove off into the city, windows down, warm summer air weaving through her hair.

Neither of them saw Elena watching from the second-floor balcony, wine glass in hand and a razor smile slicing across her lips.

Back at the mansion, Leo woke up to an empty couch.

He rubbed his eyes and looked around.

"Emery?" he called softly.

Silence.

He slid off the cushions and walked toward her quarters. No answer.

He peeked into the kitchen. No Emery.

He padded quietly into the hallway and passed the butler, who paused mid-step.

"Have you seen Emery?" Leo asked.

The butler looked surprised. "She stepped out, young sir. I believe she went into the city."

Leo's eyes dimmed.

"Did she say goodbye?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

Leo turned away.

And didn't speak for the rest of the evening.

Jaxon walked in at 6:42 p.m., briefcase in hand and tie half-undone.

He noticed the empty dining table first.

Then the quiet.

Too quiet.

He passed the living room and found Leo sitting stiffly on the floor, arms crossed, head down. The untouched tray of grilled cheese and apple slices sat on the side table.

"Leo?"

Nothing.

He crouched in front of him. "You didn't eat?"

Still nothing.

Jaxon's pulse ticked.

"Where's Emery?" he asked the nearest guard.

"She left the property, sir. Around five."

He stood slowly. "With who?"

The guard hesitated. "Lucas Hart. Picked her up at the gate."

Jaxon's jaw went hard.

He turned to Graham, who stood quietly behind him.

"She didn't clear it with anyone?"

"No, sir."

He looked back at Leo, whose face remained blank. Guarded.

"Take him upstairs," Jaxon said tightly. "Get the night nurse to stay with him."

Graham gave a small nod.

Jaxon walked to the window, poured a drink he didn't want, and stared out at the drive.

He didn't know how long he stood there.

But when the headlights swept across the front steps, his grip on the glass tightened.

Emery stepped out of the car smiling.

Dinner had been easy. Comfortable. Lucas made her laugh in ways she hadn't laughed in weeks. No pressure. No agenda. Just connection.

"Thanks for tonight," she said.

"I'll walk you to the door."

They started up the steps together-but stopped cold at the top.

Jaxon stood in the foyer.

Arms crossed.

Eyes sharp.

"Emery," he said. "Inside. Now."

Lucas raised a brow. "Everything okay?"

She gave him a quick nod. "I'll text you."

He hesitated, then backed away.

As the car pulled out, Emery turned.

"You're seriously waiting at the door like a dad from a 1950s sitcom?"

Jaxon's voice was quiet. Dangerous. "You walked out of this house without informing staff, leaving my son to wake up alone and confused."

"He was asleep. I was gone for a few hours."

"He refused to eat. Refused to talk."

Emery's stomach turned. "I didn't know."

"Exactly. Because you weren't here."

She bristled. "I'm his nanny, Jaxon. Not your prisoner."

"You're his constant. His anchor."

"And I'm also a human being with a life."

His eyes narrowed. "Not while you're under this roof. Not when my son is looking for you and asking why you didn't say goodbye."

She stepped back, stunned. "Are you saying I can't have one night off?"

"I'm saying," he said, stepping closer, "that if you can't prioritize Leo, I'll find someone who will."

Her heart cracked. "You're firing me?"

He didn't blink. "If that's what it takes to keep him from getting hurt again-yes."