Falling for the Billionaire's Secret

Chapter 18: Unsettling Shadows

The days after Emma's tense meeting with Isabelle were filled with an unsettling undercurrent of anxiety. While everything on the surface seemed to be running smoothly—dinners with Jason and Lucas, quiet moments spent together, and Lucas's school activities—the conversation with Isabelle continued to echo in Emma's mind. Isabelle's words, soft but sharp, felt like a warning.

Family is forever.

Emma knew that Isabelle had always harbored a deep, almost possessive attachment to Jason, but what troubled her most was the sense that Isabelle wasn't going to back down easily. Jason had been clear that his focus was on Emma and Lucas, but Emma couldn't shake the feeling that Isabelle would do whatever it took to wedge herself into their lives.

She had told Jason everything after that meeting, but it hadn't been enough to completely settle her nerves. She knew Jason's love for her was genuine, but there was something about Isabelle's demeanor that made Emma worry about the future.

A few days later, as Emma stood in the kitchen preparing dinner, she felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach that she couldn't quite explain. She kept glancing at the door, half expecting Isabelle to show up unannounced. Jason was supposed to come over later, and as much as she tried to focus on the mundane tasks of chopping vegetables and stirring the pot of soup on the stove, her thoughts kept circling back to the unease she felt.

Lucas was in the living room, quietly working on his homework, humming softly to himself. His innocence and happiness were what Emma cherished most, and it was that very sense of peace in their home that she was desperate to protect.

Just as she was about to call Lucas to the table for dinner, her phone buzzed. She wiped her hands on a towel and picked up the phone, her stomach tightening when she saw the name on the screen: Isabelle.

She hesitated for a moment before opening the message.

Isabelle: I'd like to see Jason tonight. Is he with you?

Emma's hands clenched around the phone as she read the message. Isabelle's directness startled her, but what unnerved her more was the way Isabelle acted as if she could simply summon Jason at her convenience.

Emma took a deep breath and typed out a response, keeping her tone polite but firm.

Emma: Jason isn't here yet, but he's coming over later. I'm not sure what his plans are beyond that.

She hesitated before sending the message, wondering if she was feeding into Isabelle's control over Jason by even answering. But she didn't want to start a confrontation. Not yet.

The reply came quickly.

Isabelle: I'll stop by. It's important.

Emma's pulse quickened as she stared at the screen. Isabelle wasn't asking—she was telling her. Emma's fingers trembled slightly as she typed out her response.

Emma: I think it would be better if you called Jason directly and arranged something with him. This isn't a good time.

There was no response from Isabelle after that, and Emma's anxiety spiked. She set the phone down and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She didn't want to let Isabelle get to her, but there was something about the woman's persistence that made her feel as though Isabelle saw Emma as an obstacle.

As Emma was stirring the soup, the sound of the doorbell made her jump. Lucas looked up from his homework, his eyes curious. "Who's that, Mom?"

Emma's heart raced, but she forced a calm smile as she walked toward the door. "I'm not sure, sweetie. Just keep working on your homework."