The young woman couldn’t even imagine that everything happening around was a carefully planned game by her father-in-law, but her intuition clearly suggested: this morning wouldn’t bring anything good. Of course, they couldn’t just take little Ava from her, but what if… Kyle could be very persistent, especially feeling support from his new mistress. Emily glanced at the phone, carelessly thrown on the hallway table.
After calling a locksmith to change the locks, Emily passed by the phone several times, as if undecided to pick it up. But suddenly, as if finding resolve in herself, she grabbed the device and dialed the number she remembered with surprising ease. Ryan’s number, the same man who sent her a message the day before.
She didn’t build special illusions. Ryan was probably busy with his affairs, and the most she could count on was polite sympathy. After all, they hardly knew each other. He wasn’t obligated to solve her problems. Emily had a whole army of lawyers who could help. But despite that, she so wanted someone nearby who cared about her. Someone who wouldn’t just do their job but would sincerely care for her.
To her great surprise, Ryan answered immediately, as if waiting for this call. His voice was calm, warm, as if they had known each other for an eternity.
«Is everything okay with you?» he asked with such concern that Emily was momentarily taken aback.
«No, not everything,» she admitted. It seemed wrong to dump her problems on a person she had met so recently. But Ryan’s voice was insistent.
«Tell me,» he demanded, and Emily was sure: if she stayed silent now, Ryan would be here in a couple of hours. That was his nature—active, ready to help without extra questions. She didn’t hesitate and in brief, concise words described everything that happened that morning.
Her husband, who sent their daughter to the nanny, convincing the elderly woman not to bother Emily. The young mistress who boldly strutted around the house in her things. And finally, the threats. Threats and blackmail: her parents’ apartment in exchange for the chance to stay with her daughter. Emily didn’t hide a single detail, knowing she could trust this person, despite barely knowing him.
For some reason, Emily was sure Ryan would understand her. She didn’t have time to fully realize she was telling him everything when she suddenly heard:
«Give me the address; I’m coming now.»
In his voice, there wasn’t a hint of doubt. From the background noises, Emily guessed Ryan was already getting ready to leave.
«Don’t do anything until I arrive, okay? Where’s Ava now? Is she safe?» Ryan bombarded her with questions. Emily briefly answered that the girl was with the nanny.
«Emily, please, trust me,» Ryan said. «I’m glad you called and told everything. That’s it; I’m on my way.»
For some reason, after these words, she felt lighter. Not because the lawyers were already working on the situation, but because Ryan would be here. He promised to help, and Emily felt she could believe him. Smiling warmly, she put the phone on the table and finally allowed herself to cry. All this chaos of the last hours had hit her too hard.
Later, looking back, Emily understood that all her self-control and strength of spirit were the result of the harsh school of life she went through thanks to her father. After the conversation with Ryan, there was a panicked and excited call from the nanny: some people in the building were threatening to take Ava and were going to call the police if the child wasn’t given to the father.
Fortunately, Emily was already on her way there, accompanied by her lawyers and security staff. They insisted that the nanny and the baby lock themselves in the apartment and not go out. This incident made the woman understand that Kyle was ready to go all out. At the same time, alarming messages came from the company’s central office.
Robert, that same father-in-law and head of one of the key departments, had initiated a series of deals that Emily would never have approved. These steps could lead the firm to serious financial losses and undermine its reputation. When Emily managed to stop the deals, her team reported that false rumors about her company were spreading online.
This was another blow. From an unnamed employee, accusations were spreading: the company allegedly keeps «black books,» hides from tax authorities, and is involved in shady schemes. Comments under these posts quickly filled with support from anonymous users with fake profiles. Emily realized—this wasn’t a random attack but a planned campaign aimed at undermining her business. But she knew how to respond to such blows. And her response clearly wouldn’t please those who started this game.
She was so immersed in solving urgent problems that when Ryan called and said he was at her house, it both surprised and pleased her. Emily remembered her father’s words: «Coincidences aren’t random—only what should happen happens.» Perhaps their acquaintance with Ryan was something predestined.
Together with Ava, they returned home in Ryan’s car. His imposing appearance, clearly reminiscent of a fighter, immediately deterred any attempts by anyone to interfere or take the girl. When they finally got home, Ryan looked like a real giant, awkwardly holding a cup of coffee and clearly feeling a bit out of place. Little Ava was babbling something cheerfully, and Emily fussed at the stove, trying to cook something tasty for the unexpected guest…
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