Chapter 2
Emily knocked on the hospital room door the following day. "Okay for me to come in?"
He flashed her a grin. "Yeah. Of course. You didn't have to ask."
"I was just trying to be respectful," she said, before shuffling into the hospital room.
Daniel bobbed his head at her. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
She leaned in, giving him a quick kiss on the head before stepping back.
A clear blob trickled down his face. "I've missed your affection. But you didn't have to do that."
Emily put her hand in the air. "It's fine. Anyway, I need to be honest with you Daniel, especially if you are still in love with him."
"Okay, shoot," he said. Daniel continued to stare at her. He didn't dare take his eyes off her.
Emily sighed, drawing in a deep breath. "The woman who shot you is named Kate Black. Her father, Malcolm Black, was one of your father's business competitors. He broke my Dad out of jail because he wanted to have the upper hand over Conrad. Anyway, I just thought you should know. You can save yourself if you want."
He wiped his eye with his right hand before responding. "It's fine."
She tugged at the strap of her purse. "But it seems like my father's war with Malcolm is going to trump my war with your Mother."
Daniel expelled a quick chuckle. "That's kind of funny. You hate my Mom. Imagine having to work with her…"
She flexed a grin. "So I was thinking you could come stay at my house when you get released tomorrow."
"Like hell," called out a voice.
Emily craned her head, turning towards the entrance. "What the hell are you doing here Margo?"
Her high heels scraped the ground while she made her way towards Emily and Daniel. "Get the hell out of here Emily!"
Emily wove her arms together, smacking them against her chest. "No, Margo. You're the one that needs to get the hell out of here. Daniel chose me. He saved my life. Don't kid yourself into thinking you and Daniel ever stood a chance. The reality is you were his girlfriend for all of five minutes. My history trumps yours sweetheart."
Margo shot Daniel a venomous look. "Are you really going to let that little bitch talk to me like that?"
Daniel didn't say anything. He just remained silent.
Emily almost spat at Margo right then and there. "Don't forget Margo, I can burry you in a heartbeat. Your father was complicit in the conspiracy to frame David Clarke."
She rolled her eyes. "Kind of odd for you to care so much about David."
Emily raised her right index finger at Margo. "How dare you Margo. Amanda was my best friend. I vowed to honor her memory and to protect her family's name against parasites like you."
Margo flung her mouth open, almost choking on a gulp of air. "How dare you!"
Emily put her hands on her hips. "I'm serious Margo. If the world knew about Pascal's complicity, Voulez would be dead."
Margo inched forward. "You don't scare me."
Emily cackled. The sound of her voice rolled through the air. It was enough to prick the hairs on Margo's back. "Well you should be terrified because I'm the real Amanda Clarke. I waged war against Victoria, Conrad, and their accomplices and I'm still here. So don't forget for a second that I can crush you anytime I want."
She smacked her hand across Emily's cheek. It wasn't long before Margo shuffled out of the room.
Emily's eyes bulged up. "Yeah, leave like the coward you are Margo. You're just cheap trash."
Margo was gone now.
Emily's chest bobbed up and down a few times before she whipped her head back towards Daniel. "I'm sorry you had to witness that Daniel. I just really hate Margo. I've been wanting to tell her off since the moment she got to the Hamptons."
Daniel shook his head in a vigorous fashion. "Don't apologize. It's kind of hot."
Emily shot him a disapproving stare. "I think sex is the last thing you should worry about in your condition."
Red exploded across his cheeks. "If you say so."
Emily glanced down at her watch. "Anyway, I have to go but I'll be back in a few hours."
He furrowed an eyebrow at her. "Where are you going?"
"Coffee with Nolan." Emily leaned in to give a kiss goodbye on the head.
Daniel swallowed the lump. "Tell him I said hello."
Her teeth jabbed her lip. "I will."
Daniel averted his gaze, choosing to stare at the lilacs on the table right next to him. "I suppose I owe him an apology for taking over his company when I was CEO of Grayson Global."
She put her hand in the air. "Save it Daniel! That was a part of my manipulation. I was just as dark and twisted as you were."
"Wow," he sucked in a gulp of air. "Thank you for being honest."
She tilted her head in his direction. "Of course. Anytime."
Emily sat in Nolan's car less than ten minutes later. "Thank you for picking me up."
He took his eyes off the road for a moment to stare at his friend. "Don't mention it. I just can't believe you're getting a long with Daniel let alone visiting him out of your own free will."
She suppressed the urge to burst out into a fit of tears. "He's not the monster I thought he was. I mean believe you and me, I'm not going to sit here and make excuses for his past actions but he is different than Conrad. He wants to be a good person. He just needs to be around good people."
Nolan scoffed. "You can't control him Emily."
Her hair bounced in the wind since the car window was rolled down. "That wasn't my point Nolan."
He forced a gulp of air in and out of his body. "Whatever you say."
"So how are you doing?" Emily asked.
He took a moment before he responded. "I'm fine. I guess I just miss Patrick."
"That's understandable. But I just hope you know I appreciate you not judging me about Daniel. There is one question I have," she replied.
Nolan made a right turn. "And what would that be?"
She counted to 20 under her breath. "Last year when I started to get frustrated during my engagement did you realize I was just taking my anger out on Daniel since my revenge was taking so long?"
He cocked his head in her direction. "Yeah. I did."
A beeping sound rolled through the air before Emily could say anything. She took out her cellphone, reading the one new text message: I know what you did and I'm going to bury you with your secret.
She shoved her cellphone back into her Prada handbag. She would worry about the blackmail later.