Chapter 1: The File
Emma sat frozen at her desk, eyes locked on the screen.
The file had accidentally popped open while she was compiling pitch reports. At least… she thought it was an accident.
A woman’s name appeared—Clara Welles.
A terminated employee. A payout. A nondisclosure agreement.
And Liam’s signature at the bottom of it all.
Her heart pounded. She barely noticed when Liam walked in.
“Everything okay?” he asked casually, loosening his tie.
Emma forced a smile. “Fine. Just finishing up.”
But everything wasn’t fine. Not even close.
Chapter 2: The Distance Between Us
Over the next few days, Emma pulled away—just enough for Liam to notice.
“No snarky comments today?” he teased during a meeting.
She shrugged. “Must be growing up.”
He frowned. Later that night, he showed up outside her apartment in SoHo, holding two cups of coffee.
“You’re avoiding me.”
She sighed, exhausted. “I’m trying to figure out who I’m dating. The man who kisses me in elevators—or the one who silences women with checks.”
His eyes darkened. “You looked into Clara?”
“You left the file open,” she whispered. “Maybe that wasn’t an accident.”
Chapter 3: The Truth Hurts
Liam leaned against the doorway. “Clara was my assistant… and my mistake.”
Emma’s chest ached. “Did you love her?”
“No. But I hurt her. I thought I was helping by giving her a clean break. I was wrong. And I’ve regretted it ever since.”
His voice cracked with something real—guilt, maybe even shame.
“I didn’t lie to you, Emma. I just never told you… because I didn’t want to lose what we had.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “And what do we have, Liam? A secret fling with an expiration date?”
He stepped closer. “We have something I’m scared of ruining.”
Chapter 4: Tabloids & Takedowns
Just as their relationship teetered on the edge of repair, the worst happened.
A tabloid exposé.
“SEX, LIES & SAXON: CEO’s New Girl and the Intern He Silenced.”
The article went viral.
Overnight, Emma was branded a gold-digger. Paparazzi waited outside her door. Her email exploded with hate.
And Liam? He shut down.
No calls. No texts. Not even a warning.
The man who made her feel safe had disappeared when she needed him most.
Chapter 5: Shattered Trust
One week later, Emma returned to the office—only to find security revoking her badge.
“Mr. Saxon’s orders,” they said.
Humiliated and heartbroken, she left without a word. Until that night…
A knock at her apartment.
She opened the door to find Liam, rain-soaked and desperate.
“I had to protect you,” he said. “The board wanted blood. If I defended you publicly, they’d have dragged you through worse.”
Emma shook her head. “You protected yourself, Liam. Just like you always do.”
He reached for her hand. “I love you, Emma. I didn’t know it until I lost you.”
She pulled her hand back, voice trembling.
“You already did.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Coming Soon: Love in The City: Part 3 – “The Break & the Return”