Love by the Contract

Chapter 124

The blaring ring of Emma’s phone shattered the quiet hum of her office. She snatched it up, already dreading what could come next. The voice on the other end was trembling, rushed—Alex.

“Emma,” he gasped, his words barely coherent. “There’s been an accident. Liam and I... we’re on the way to Mercy General. It’s bad.”

Her breath hitched. “Are you hurt? Is Liam—”

“Just get here,” Alex interrupted, his voice strained. “I’ll explain when you get here.”

The call ended, leaving Emma frozen for half a second before she snapped into motion. Grabbing her coat and bag, she called out to Thomas as she rushed toward the door. “Alex and Liam were in an accident. I’m heading to the hospital.”

“I’ll drive,” Thomas said, his tone steady despite the urgency. He grabbed his keys, and within minutes, they were speeding through the city, the rain streaking across the windshield like frantic brushstrokes.

Emma stared out at the blurred city lights, her mind racing. Alex’s tone replayed in her head, sharp with fear and pain. Liam’s bright smile flashed in her memory, untainted by the danger he now faced. She clenched her fists, trying to keep herself from spiraling.

“They’ll be okay,” Thomas said, breaking the tense silence. “Liam’s tough, and Alex… he’s resilient.”

She nodded, though the tightness in her chest refused to ease. “I just… I don’t know what I’ll do if…”

Thomas reached over, squeezing her hand briefly before returning his focus to the road. “One step at a time. Let’s get there first.”

The sterile glow of the hospital lights hit Emma like a wave as they entered the emergency room. The controlled chaos of nurses and doctors moving with purpose felt like a blur as Emma scanned the room. Her heart dropped when she saw Alex lying on a stretcher, his face pale and his arm in a sling.

“Alex!” she rushed over, her voice trembling.

He turned his head slowly, wincing with the effort. A weak smile flickered on his lips. “Emma. You’re here.”

“What happened?” she asked, her voice tight with both panic and relief. “Where’s Liam?”

“Liam’s okay,” Alex said quickly. “He’s in another room, being checked out. Just a few bumps and bruises, they said. But I… wasn’t as lucky.”

Her eyes scanned him, taking in the cuts on his face, the sling, the way his breaths came shallow and pained. “You look like you’ve been through hell,” she said, tears threatening to spill. “What happened?”

“A delivery truck ran a red light,” Alex explained, his voice strained. “It hit us on the driver’s side. I tried to shield Liam, but…” He trailed off, his gaze dropping to his lap. “I should’ve done more.”

“Stop,” Emma said firmly, gripping his uninjured hand. “You protected him. You’re both alive—that’s what matters.”

Thomas appeared moments later, his expression calm but concerned. “I checked on Liam,” he said to Emma. “He’s fine. Just a little shaken up. The nurses are keeping him busy with cartoons.”

Emma nodded, relief flooding her for the first time since the call. She turned back to Alex, her hand still in his. “You scared me,” she said softly. “I’m just glad you’re both okay.”

The next few hours passed in a haze of updates and waiting. Doctors confirmed that Alex had a fractured collarbone and several cracked ribs but no internal bleeding or life-threatening injuries. Liam was discharged with nothing more than a small bandage on his forehead, much to Emma’s relief.

Alex, however, would need to stay overnight for observation. Emma stayed by his side, their son curled up asleep in her lap. For the first time in what felt like years, the barriers between her and Alex softened. They sat in a comfortable silence, their shared worry for Liam outweighing any past tension.

“You’ve always been a good mom,” Alex said suddenly, his voice low. “Liam and Lucy… they’re lucky to have you.”

Emma looked up, surprised by the raw emotion in his tone. “And they’re lucky to have you too. You’re a great dad, Alex.”

He chuckled weakly, wincing as he shifted in the bed. “Not sure tonight proves that.”

“It proves you’d do anything to keep them safe,” Emma countered. “That’s more than enough.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the weight of their shared history hung between them—not as a burden, but as something that connected them inextricably.

The next morning, Emma brought Liam home, leaving Thomas to handle the foundation’s daily operations. She spent the day doting on him, reading his favorite books, and letting him nap on the couch while she worked nearby.

By afternoon, Alex was discharged, though the doctor’s stern orders to rest left him grumbling. Emma picked him up, helping him into the car with a care that made him smile despite his discomfort.

“You don’t have to baby me,” Alex teased as she adjusted his seatbelt.

“Humor me,” Emma shot back with a smirk. “You’re in no position to argue.”

Back at her house, Emma set Alex up in the guest room and checked on Liam, who was napping peacefully. When she returned to the kitchen, Thomas was waiting with two mugs of tea.

“How’s Alex holding up?” he asked, handing her a mug.

“Grateful but stubborn, as always,” Emma replied, sinking into a chair. “It’s weird… I didn’t realize how much I still cared until last night.”

Thomas nodded thoughtfully. “He’s the father of your kids. That kind of bond doesn’t just go away.”

Emma sipped her tea, her gaze distant. “He’s always been there when it mattered, you know? Whatever else we’ve been through… he shows up.”

Thomas reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over hers. “And so do you. For everyone who needs you.”

She smiled, a quiet gratitude swelling in her chest. Thomas always knew how to center her, even when she didn’t realize she needed it.

Just as things were settling down, Emma’s phone buzzed on the counter. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number, but she picked up anyway, thinking it might be an update about the accident.

“Ms. Stone, this is a courtesy call from Verdi Ventures,” the voice on the other end began, cold and clinical. “We’ve noticed delays in your response to our proposal, and I must inform you that this hesitation is causing financial damage to our ongoing operations.”

Emma frowned, her stomach tightening. “Financial damage? We’re still in discussions—this wasn’t a finalized agreement.”

The voice continued, unperturbed. “Our investors are concerned about the lack of progress. If this continues, we’ll have no choice but to pursue legal action to recover the losses incurred due to your delays.”

Emma’s grip on the phone tightened. “You can’t be serious. We’re reviewing terms to ensure this partnership aligns with our mission. That’s standard due diligence, not a delay.”

“Consider this a preliminary warning,” the voice said smoothly. “We expect a response by the end of the week.”

The line went dead, leaving Emma staring at her phone in disbelief. She turned to Thomas, who had been watching her intently. “That was Verdi Ventures. They’re threatening legal action if we don’t make a decision soon.”

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