BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 22: Turning Tides

Chapter 22: Turning Tides

It was clear to me that it was time to turn a new leaf, to start fresh. I needed my own space, a place away from Luke. So, tonight was the night – I had decided to tell him that I was moving out. Our last conversation, four days ago, had been decisive. I told him it was over for good. Since then, I'd confined myself to my bedroom, but I couldn't hide away forever. I needed to find a place of my own.

For the past four days, I hadn't spoken to Luke or Sebastian. I wasn't even sure if Sebastian was still around. Whenever Luke was off to work, I'd venture out of my room, but there was no sign of Sebastian. Perhaps he was staying with one of his flings – I'm sure he wouldn't have trouble finding a place.

This evening, as I prepare myself to confront Luke with my decision, the moment unfolds unexpectedly. He steps out of the elevator, his appearance catching me off guard in the living room. "Hi," he says, a simple greeting that somehow completely derails the speech I had meticulously prepared in my mind.

I muster a quiet response, "hi," my voice barely audible as I struggle to maintain eye contact. Despite my efforts, his intense gaze holds mine, probing and searching, as if he's trying to decipher the silent messages in my eyes.

As I turn, intending to retreat to the safety of my room, Luke's voice halts me, tinged with a plea. "Don't go, please." His approach is tentative; his eyes flicker with a mix of nervousness and hope. I find myself rooted to the spot, silent, compelling him to continue.

"I have an update about my father," he reveals, capturing my full attention despite my resolve. My silence seems to be enough encouragement for him, and I find myself reluctantly agreeing to listen, caught in the gravity of his words.

Luke prepared a plate for us, setting it up on the table. I initially intended to sit across from him, but realizing that would give him a direct view of me, I chose to sit beside him instead. The proximity was uncomfortable, but I needed to hear what he had to say about his father.

As we silently picked at the food, the tension between us was palpable. Luke looked like he was itching to dive into a conversation about us, but I wasn't having any of it. Cutting him off, I asked bluntly, "Are you going to update me about your dad or what?" My voice was laced with an edge.

He sighed, a sad look crossing his face, and said, "Of course." Pulling out his phone, he showed me an image of his dad, holed up somewhere with a bunch of bodyguards. "My guys have found him, but he's holed up with a bunch of his criminal buddies. They're still working out how to nail the bastard. I need him alive. I want to be the one who ends his shit show," he said, his tone dark and vengeful.

Then, he turned to me, leaning in closer. "I promise you, Emily, I'll get the fucker." His hand reached out to mine, but I recoiled instantly. The look in his eyes when I did that – it was like seeing a man lose the last bit of hope he was clinging to.

I stood up, my voice cold and detached. "Thanks for the update, and the food." I began to walk away, but he blurted out, frustration and anger boiling over, "What the fuck do you want from me, Emily? How can I get you back?"

I stopped and faced him, my expression icy. "Nothing, Luke. You can't do a damn thing. It's over. I'm moving out, and I don't need your help with any of it." His face was a tumultuous mix of anger and heartbreak.

Luke's response was a mix of raw frustration and anger. "It's not happening, Emily. You're not fucking leaving me! How are you even planning to move out, huh?"

I stepped closer to him, a hint of laughter in my voice. "Do you think I want your money? I don't need a penny from you. As soon as I find a job, I'll have my own place. Just because I don't remember my past, doesn't mean I've forgotten how to make it on my own. I'll land a job as a software developer in no time."