SHARING EMMA [18+]

23. Surge of Anger

|CARLOS|

As I'm still trying to process my conversation with Ryker, I happen to catch a glimpse of Emma entering through the main entrance, her face etched with a deep frown. Lost in her own thoughts, she doesn't even acknowledge me as she heads towards the stairs to make her way to her room.

To say that the past few days have made sense would be a blatant lie. It feels as if something has shifted inside me ever since I agreed to make things long-term with Emma. My thoughts have taken a sharp turn towards her, and all I can think about is burying myself deep inside her and watching her writhe in pleasure. Even in my sleep, her quivering lips and the hunger in her eyes haunt me relentlessly. I'm becoming someone I don't recognize, and deep down, I know that this can't be right.

When I catch a glimpse of Emma's expression, my brooding thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind, and my attention is solely focused on her. Her face contorts into a look of bewilderment, as if she's stumbled upon a mystery that she can't quite solve. I feel a surge of concern, an urge to ask if she's alright, but then I hesitate. Perhaps it's best to give her some space and let her figure it out on her own.

I turn my back to Emma and make my way to my study. As I enter the room, the familiar scent of old books and leather fills my nostrils, providing some comfort amidst the chaos of my thoughts. I walk towards the French windows and stand there, staring out into the vast expanse of my garden. The sun is rising, casting a golden glow over the trees and flowers, but my head is too preoccupied to appreciate the beauty.

My mind is in a chaotic frenzy as I try to come to terms with the dilemma I'm facing. Just a few hours ago, Ryker stormed into my study with an air of defiance, making his intentions clear. He demanded that I choose between him and Emma, leaving me in a precarious position. It was a blow that hit me hard, but I wasn't entirely caught off guard.

I had sensed that this moment was coming ever since Ryker's plan to use Emma as leverage against me was exposed. I knew that he wouldn't back down easily and that he was determined to make me pay for my mistakes. But despite my attempts to prepare for this confrontation, I'm still reeling from the weight of his words.

I'm struggling to keep my composure as my emotions swirl in a tumultuous storm. It's as if my heart and mind are at war with each other. On one hand, I'm consumed by an overwhelming sense of protectiveness towards Emma. In my eyes, she's a delicate and innocent soul who's caught up in this chaotic situation. I can't bear to see her suffer any more than she already has.

But on the other hand, there's Ryker. He's my own flesh and blood, and the mere thought of losing him is almost too much to bear. I remember holding him in my arms when he was just a baby, watching him take his first steps, and seeing him grow into the man he is today. It's painful to see him so angry and resentful towards me, and I can't help but wonder where I went wrong.

It's impossible for me to forget how I convinced my son, Ryker, to come with me to this secluded island. I yearned for some quiet time away from the chaos of the city and hoped to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. However, instead of bonding with my son, we've been constantly at each other's throats. He blames me for things I can't even begin to explain, and things only got worse when he found out that Emma was the woman I had been sleeping with for the past few months.

To be honest, the only reason I invited Emma to the island was because I thought she could act as a mediator between Ryker and me. I wanted her to help us settle our differences and establish some understanding. As I saw the way Ryker looked at her, the same lustful desire that I feel for Emma, I knew she was the perfect bridge I could have asked for. But little did I know that it would only add fuel to the already burning fire.

Now, the tension between us is thick and cold as ice. The only sounds that can be heard are the waves crashing on the shore and our heated arguments echoing through the empty beach. The once serene island has now become a battleground for our unyielding wills. I can feel my heart racing and my blood boiling every time Ryker opens his mouth to speak, and I'm sure he feels the same about me. It seems like there's no way out of this impasse, and I can't help but wonder if this trip was a mistake.

[A few hours ago]

"Let's settle this right now!" The sound of Ryker's voice barking out his demand echoes through the room, causing me to jump in my seat. Startled, I quickly take off my reading glasses and place them on the table in front of me. I stare at him, trying to make sense of his sudden outburst.

"What do you mean, settle this?" I ask, frowning in confusion. His sudden appearance and confrontational attitude are catching me off guard, and I'm struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of events. It's like a storm has swept into my study, and I'm left reeling in its wake.

Ryker's expression is set in a determined scowl, his eyes burning with an intensity that I haven't seen in him before. "You know what I mean," he says, his voice low and menacing. "It's time for us to have a man-to-man talk and settle this once and for all."

I can feel the tension in the air thickening, and I realize that this conversation is going to be anything but easy. Despite my confusion, I'm determined to face Ryker head-on and find a way to resolve our differences. It's time to confront the elephant in the room and try to salvage what's left of our relationship.

I motion for Ryker to take a seat and try to keep my voice level despite the growing sense of tension in the room. But he ignores my offer and strides over to the window, his restless energy palpable.

As he turns to face me, his voice cuts through the silence like a knife. "I'm willing to talk and settle our differences," he says, his tone laced with hostility. "But only if you let Emma go."

"Let her go?" I repeat, my voice tinged with confusion.

Ryker's eyes flash with anger as he steps closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over me. "I mean, you forget about her, completely," he growls, his fists clenching at his sides. "I want her all to myself, and for that to happen, you need to break things off with her."

For a few tense moments, I search for the right words to respond to Ryker's ultimatum. Part of me wants to lash out and tell him how ridiculous his demand is, while the other part wants to reason with him and find a solution that doesn't involve hurting Emma.

"I can't just break things off with Emma," I say finally, my voice betraying my frustration. "She's not some object that can be passed around as if she doesn't have feelings."

"I'm not asking you to give her to me," he retorts, his voice growing louder. "I'm asking you to end things with her, whatever arrangement you two have going on. I don't care. I want you to step back for once and take this opportunity to finally do something for your son."

His words sting, and I can feel a surge of anger rising within me. "You think I haven't been trying to do something for you?" I snap back. "Do you have any idea what I've done to try and make things right between us?"

Ryker doesn't back down. "If you're serious about reconciling with me, then prove it," he says firmly. "End things with Emma, and show me that you're willing to put our relationship first for once."

Although I have a lot to say, there is a feeling inside me that is holding me back from expressing myself fully. I have been longing for an opportunity to be the father that I never had the chance to be, and now that my son is giving me some leeway, I am questioning whether the cost is too high.

Emma is not an object to be traded or bargained over, but if sacrificing my relationship with her means having the chance to reconcile with my son, then perhaps I need to take this opportunity. I may come across as a desperate father, but I am aware that this may be my only chance to repair my relationship with my son.

I rise from my chair and run a hand through my hair.

"Alright," I finally say, "I'll end things with her."