Chapter 150 The Recording Pen
Emilia’s POV
I arrived at the place I’d arranged to meet Henry. I spotted Henry at the table, and I didn’t bother with pleasantries.
"Where is it?" I demanded.
He pulled out the recording pen and pressed play. Linda’s voice filled the space between us, smug and threatening. My stomach turned.
"What else?"
Henry took out a small suitcase. "This is everything I have that belonged to your mother."
I opened it and pulled out a photo. It was one I’d never seen before, a photo of my mother when she was young and radiant. Inside were a few notebooks and some scattered items.
I closed the suitcase, satisfied it held my mother’s things. I took it.
I slid the contract across the table. "Sign it."
While Henry read through the terms, I grabbed the recording pen and deleted every single file, making sure nothing could be recovered. Then I tossed it into the nearby trash can.
"All done," Henry said, sliding the signed contract back to me. He actually had the nerve to smile. "Thank you for this opportunity, Emilia. When I make it big with this project, I’ll treat you better."
I looked at him, this man who was supposed to be my father but had never once acted like it.
"What I didn’t get as a child," I said coldly, "I have absolutely no interest in receiving now that I’m an adult. Some things, once lost, can never be gotten back. Save your future generosity for Linda. She’s the daughter you actually wanted."
I stood up, grabbed the contract, and walked out without looking back.
Standing outside Sebastian’s office at Simons Imperial Group, I found myself hesitating. My hand hovered over the door handle as guilt ate at me from the inside out. I’d just decided to keep a massive secret from my husband, my mate, and the weight of it felt crushing.
"You’re doing this to protect him," Eve reminded me. "Mila’s right. That woman hurt him enough already."
Before I could respond, the door opened and Beta Fynn almost bumped into me.
"Oh! Luna Emilia," he said in surprise. "Were you about to come in? Or were you planning to stand out here all day thinking deep thoughts?"
"I was just afraid I’d interrupt you two," I stammered. "I’m going in now."
"Good luck with whatever you’re about to face in there," he called after me with a knowing grin.
Sebastian was leaning back in his chair, looking unfairly attractive even while doing paperwork. When he saw me, he patted his leg in invitation.
"My father signed the contract," I said, walking over and settling onto his lap.
He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "So business is done. The question now is... how are you planning to pay me back?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Pay you back? I thought you said this was a gift."
"There’s no such thing as a free lunch in the world, wife," he teased, his eyes going dark. "Everything has a price."
Heat crawled up my neck as I looked into his eyes, burning with desire.
"Well then, tonight when we get home..." I stammered.
"No," Sebastian cut in, his hands already moving to my waist. "I want payment now."
"Now?" I glanced at the office door. "Sebastian, this is your workplace. Beta Fynn literally just left. He could come back any..."
"No one would dare barge into my office. Except you..." Sebastian said, his lips finding the sensitive spot below my ear.
"You’re impossible," I said, even as I tilted my head to give him better access.
"And you love it," he murmured against my skin.
Sebastian’s hand slipped beneath my blouse, his fingers skimming over my skin in slow, deliberate strokes that made my breath hitch.
His other hand slid down to my thigh, pushing my skirt up. I could feel the hard edge of his desk against my back, and the way his body pressed into mine left no doubt about where this was heading.
Just as I was about to surrender completely to the sensation, his expression suddenly shifted.
His brows furrowed, and before I could ask what was wrong...
Knock knock knock.
The office door.
I practically flew off his lap. Sebastian’s arm shot out to stop me, but I was already across the room.
I quickly fixed my clothes, dropped onto the sofa and grabbing the nearest magazine.
"Alpha Sebastian, Mr. Tom from AP Corporation is here," Fynn’s voice came through the door.
"Invite him in," Sebastian said, his tone calm, though I could feel the frustration radiating off him through our bond.
"Okay."
Beta Fynn walked in leading a man behind him. Sebastian shot Fynn an annoyed glare, then turned to Mr. Tom. "I’ll have Fynn take you to the meeting room. I’ll be there in a bit."
When Fynn walked past me toward the door, he paused and said with perfect innocence, "Luna Emilia, your magazine is upside down."
Then he had the nerve to wink at me.
My face burst into flames. I stood up and said in a panic, "I’ll go back first. Goodbye!"
I didn’t wait for Sebastian’s response.
I practically ran out of there.